Veteran actor Jackie Shroff has opened up about turning into a real-life superhero for his family during their darkest financial crisis following the box office failure of the 2003 film ‘Boom’. In a candid conversation celebrating the release of his new film ‘The Great Grand Superhero’, directed by Manish Saini, the 69-year-old actor detailed how the family bounced back after being forced to sell off assets and furniture. Shroff also reflected on his legendary 41-year journey, comparing his latest avatar to his historic role in India’s first 3D superhero film, ‘Shiva Ka Insaaf’ (1985).
Jackie Shroff opens up on the ‘Boom’ debacle
In ‘The Great Grand Superhero’, Jackie Shroff plays an elderly man who takes on a superhero persona to satisfy the pure expectations of his grandson. The actor noted that stepping up during times of immense pressure is something he knows intimately. In 2003, Jackie’s wife, Ayesha Shroff, produced Kaizad Gustad’s black comedy thriller ‘Boom’, which famously marked the debut of Katrina Kaif. Despite a stellar star cast led by Amitabh Bachchan, the experimental film bombed at the box office. The financial hit was devastating, triggering severe marital strain and forcing the family to liquidate core assets, even down to their home furniture.Reflecting on how he steered his family out of total financial ruin through inventive investment strategies, Jackie shared with SCREEN, “The father is always the superhero. There’s no pressure because superheroes don’t feel pressure. Even if they do, they don’t show it.”While his children are highly successful today, the actor refuses to forget the days when the sun wasn’t shining on his household, stating, “I remember all my times. I’m not that old that I forget. My memory is good.”
Jackie Shroff on holding on to innocence and nature
Despite his tough, street-smart reputation, Jackie Shroff attributes his emotional endurance and gentle spirit directly to his late mother. His famous environmental campaigns encouraging citizens to plant more jhaad (trees) stem entirely from her nurturing influence.“I have maa ka dil. There’s a lot of love in a mother’s heart. It rests within me. Some people also have their father’s heart. They are tough. But a mother always caves in. Kids usually imbibe what they learn from their mothers. She used to love roses. I put those on her grave on her birthday recently.”
Jackie Shroff on suiting up at 69
Playing a caped crusader at the age of 69 comes with unique physical challenges, especially when dealing with heavy, stifling costume fabrics. However, the actor approaches the grueling nature of filmmaking with absolute gratitude.“Of course, it’s hot but you don’t complain about it. Who asked you to be an actor? Mujhe kisi ne zabardasti toh nahi bola actor banne! (No one forced me to be an actor!) So, be thankful,” Shroff stated.When asked about the infamous design flaw in superhero suits with the complete absence of zippers making standard bathroom breaks an absolute nightmare, Jackie Shroff jokingly revealed his disciplined lifestyle hack.Shroff said, “Control hai bhai. Yog aur saans pe dhyaan! (It is all about control, yoga, and breathing!) Just sip your water a little bit. No complaints. Mehnat toh hai. It may look very ‘wow’ from the outside, but there’s a lot of grime behind the shine.”
Jackie Shroff on his journey from ‘Shiva Ka Insaaf’ to ‘Flying Jatt Ka Baap’
The Great Grand Superhero is far from Jackie’s first rodeo in a cape. Exactly 41 years ago, he played the lead in Raj N Sippy’s cult classic Shiva Ka Insaaf (1985), which holds the historic distinction of being India’s very first 3D superhero film.“It was really tedious. I’d even gone to the US with these gentlemen to test the camera, but it was good fun,” Shroff said.When the trailer for his latest film dropped online, Tiger Shroff shared it on his Instagram Stories, playfully labeling his father as “Flying Jatt ka baap”, a nod to Tiger’s own 2016 superhero venture ‘A Flying Jatt.’Hearing the comment, Jackie fondly recalled Tiger’s childhood obsession with his 1985 3D hit:“He was mad about it. He used to think, ‘My father is a superhero.’ I think that’s what every kid thinks of his father.”
More about ‘The Great Grand Superhero’
‘The Great Grand Superhero’ is a comedy-drama directed by Manish Saini that released on May 29, 2026. The film stars veteran actor Jackie Shroff as an elderly grandfather whose life takes an extraordinary turn when his young grandson genuinely believes he is a caped crusader. Feeling the heavy but endearing burden of the child’s pure expectations, Shroff’s character actually sets out to transform into a real-life superhero, blending a tough, larger-than-life personality with deep emotional vulnerability. According to Sacnilk, the film has netted Rs. 1.38 crore by Day 4.
