Jaaved Jaaferi Pays Moving Tribute To His Father Jagdeep Recalling His Journey From Poverty To Stardom: ‘He Taught Me The Lessons Of Poverty’

Veteran actor Jagdeep passed away in Mumbai on July 8. He was best known for his role as Soorma Bhopali in Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra starrer Sholay. Now, Jagdeep’s son Jaaved Jaaferi penned an emotional, inspiring note dedicated to his late father, recalling the legendary actor-comedian’s journey from poverty to stardom. He took to his Twitter to share the moving note, and firstly thanked all Jagdeep fans for their immense love, their prayers and condolences. He then shared about the veteran actor’s journey in cinema which began right from the age of 10.

Jaaved Jaaferi, in his note, revealed that Jagdeep lost his father at the age of 7 and after the partition, battled with poverty and survived on the footpaths of Mumbai. “An 8 yr old with his mother thrown head first into the ocean. It was either sink or swim. So he swam. From working in small scale tin factories, to making kites, selling soap, to walking behind a Maalishwala holding his canister of oil and shouting ‘Maalish, tel maalish’. At 10 yrs of age what destiny choose for him, as the light at the end of the tunnel, was cinema,” wrote Jaaved Jaaferi.

He then went on to mention his journey in cinema which began with B R Chopra’s first film Afsana, after which there was no looking back for Jagdeep. “The word ‘legend’ is thrown around freely these days but in his case it is so amply justified. A father who taught me the values of life, the lessons of poverty, the importance of dedication and the finesse of craft, with innumerable stories of positivity and inspiration. Always smiling, with words of encouragement for all, and reminding me that true success is gauged by what one ‘is’ and not what one ‘has’, and by ‘what’ one knows and not ‘who’ one knows,” wrote Jaaved Jaaferi.

Jaaved Jaaferi ended the beautiful note with his father Jagdeep’s popular catchphrase. He wrote, “To the man I called ‘papa’ and who the world knew by his various avatars, SALAAM !!!Aapka naam Sooorma Bhopali ayysaee naee tha !!” ALSO READ: Jagdeep 'Soorma Bhopali' Demise: Naved Jafri Pens An Emotional Note Remembering Father; Shares Family Was With Him When He Breathed Last