Sajid Nadiadwala talks about the responsiblity of launching Jackie Shroff’s son
Subhash K Jha (DNA; April 4, 2014)


With Jackie Shroff’s son Tiger poised for a debut in Heropanti on May 23, producer Sajid Nadiadwala who is busy with his own directorial debut Kick, feels as responsible towards Tiger as any parent. “It’s a very strange mix of parental pride and a teacher’s concern. I’ve been part of Tiger’s life from the time he was a child. I was there when he was born. Luckily, I’m also part of his second birth, when his career takes off. So you could say I feel a double responsibility towards Tiger,” he says.

Beginner’s luck
Sajid has never felt so nervous about any of my films before. “Tiger is the first actor I’m launching in my entire career as a producer. He’s making his acting debut in the same year my debut as a director, so I can understand what he must be going through,” says Sajid with a nervous laugh. Dismissing the contention that being his father’s son would help Tiger get a larger audience he adds. “I don’t think audiences today are sentimental about the stars. Of course, there would be certain sense of identification with Jackie dada because Tiger is his son. But let me tell you, Tiger does his own thing on screen. After audiences see him, they’ll realise that the father and son are two different actors.”

Tiger tales
Sajid is deeply impressed by Tiger’s dedication, “He is exceptionally hard working and disciplined. He starts his day early, does martial arts religiously. You won’t see him partying and lazying around.” When asked to rate Shroff Jr as an actor, the producer says, “He is complete star material. He is confident and fills the screen with his presence, Tiger can’t go wrong.”

Ready to rock
2014 is the year when Sajid Nadiadwala produced his most acclaimed work. He feels Heropanti has the same potential as Highway. “When I agreed to produce Highway, Imtiaz Ali wanted it to be a stop-gap film because his other film was held up for the lack of Ranbir Kapoor’s dates. But we all forgot a film by him can never be perceived as a stop-gap. The audience accepted it wholeheartedly. I feel Heropanti too has a similar destiny waiting for it. We’ve gone all out to ensure Tiger has the best possible launch. I feel as responsible about Tiger’s career as I would about my own son.”