Fresh off the success of Dhamaal 4, actor Jaaved Jaaferi reflects on his four-decade-long journey in the industry and the changing landscape of cinema.

The 63-year-old believes that every generation of actors has its own strengths and shortcomings. He calls the younger lot “professional, serious and very focused on what they want”, but feels that “they’re in a hurry and are not very accommodating”.

Known for his comic timing, Jaaferi reflects on the changing nature of comedy, noting that some aspects of it remain unchanged. “There’s a certain kind of humour that stays the same. Charlie Chaplin will never change, Mr Bean doesn’t change, Tom and Jerry doesn’t change. Dhamaal is that world,” he says.

Jaaferi further adds, “It doesn’t matter whether you watch it today or 10 years later. There will always be an audience who will like it... Dhamaal (2007) ko bhi aaj 19 saal ho gaye. Sensibility toh badli hai logon ki, but log abhi bhi dekh rahe hain.”

The actor believes one of the biggest challenges actors face is being a prisoner of their own commercial success. “There was a phase when (veteran actor) Mr (Amitabh) Bachchan couldn’t do anything different because it didn’t work. The commercial aspects didn’t allow him to move,” he shares.

Jaaferi says he has consciously tried to avoid that trap by making thoughtful career choices. “As an actor, though I have done a lot of work. I’ve played a villain, I’ve played crazy guys, done serious films as well. Yet feel there is a lot more left to explore in me,” he concludes.