By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
Jagdeep , a noted comedian, chracter artist and hero of yesteryears began his film career with B.R. Chopra’s “Afsana”(1951) feturing Ashok kumar,Veena,Pran & Kuldip kaur as a child artist .Husnlal Bhagatram scored music for this film.He later did many films as a child artist the likes of “Ab Dilli Door Nahin”,” Aar Paar” & Bimal Roy’s “Do Bigh Zameen”. He got recognition with ” Hum Punchi Ek Daal Ke” featuring Marutirao Parab,Daisy irani and Jagdeep under the banner AVM Production. It won the National Film Award for Best Children’s Film & Jagdeep received appreciation from PM Jawaher Lal Nehru for his performance in the film.
AVM later launched him in ” Bhabhi”( 1957) starring Balraj Sahni & Nanda.The film had many a hit song like “”Chal Ud Jaa Re Panchhi” & “Chali Chali Re Meri Patang Chali Re”,the second song picturised on Jagdeep.He played the lead opposite Nanda with music by Chitragupta.AVM repeated him opposite Nanda in film “Barkha”( 1960) ,directed by A.V.Meiyappan .It was a fmily drama with many hits like “”Ek Raat Men Do Do Chand Khile” (Mukesh- Lata), ” O Sajna,Barkha Bahar Aai” ( Lata) & “Woh Door Jo Nadiya Behti Hai” (Mohammed Rafi-Lata) with music scored by Chitragupta.
Born Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed Jaffrey (29 March 1939 ) at Datia in Madhya Pradesh and known by his stage name Jagdeep, the actor played Soorma Bhopali in Ramesh Sippy’s “Sholay” (1975).The film’s success came to him as a shot in the arm, thereby adding to his popularity in the comic role as a wood trader. It later became an all-time super-duper box office extravaganza. It would be injustice if we did not mention his role as Salman Khan’s dad in “Andaz Apna Apna” (1994) directed by Rakjkumar Santoshi starring Aamir, Karishma, and Raveena Tondon. I attended the shooting of the film at a bungalow in Goregaon( East) in 1992.
Jagdeep switched over to comedy with ” Brahmchari” ( 1968) starring Shammi Kapoor,Rajshree, Mumtaz & Pran. Some of his notable movies include the likes of,” Bidaai”,” Agent Vinod” ( 1977), “Suraksha” ( 1979), “Qurbani” ( 1980), “Shahenshah'(1988)” China Gate”(1998) & ” Life partner” (2009) . Jagdeep acted in over 400 films during his career spanning five decades.Some hit songs picturised on him include-“Paas Baitho Tabiyat Bahal Jayegi”, & “In Pyar Ki Rahon Mein” from film “Punarmilan”, “Chal Ud Ja Re Panchhi” and “Chali Chali Re Patang”, from the super hit movie “Bhabhi”.
