Jackie Shroff says he helped Salman Khan find work when he was not superstar

Actor Jackie Shroff has spoken about helping Salman Khan in the early days of his career and recalled his first impression of Shah Rukh Khan on the sets of King Uncle. In a conversation with India Today, Shroff looked back at how he helped Salman bag his first film.

Shroff said Salman was working as an assistant director on Falak (1988) at the time, while his father, Salim Khan, was writing the dialogues for the film.

"I got Sallu Baba his first film, Biwi Ho Toh Aisi. But it was Maine Pyaar Kiya that came later and turned him into a star," the 69-year-old actor said.

He said he had seen Salman’s photographs on the sets and wanted to help him find work in films. “I saw his pictures on the sets and thought he was very handsome. So, I took his photo to Subhash Ghai ji, but he said no. Then I took it to KC Bokadia, who told me to show it to his brother-in-law, and that’s how Salman got the role. I used to roam around carrying his photos everywhere.”

Recalling their long association in the industry, Shroff added, “Both Salman and I have worked together in most of his productions. Earlier, he didn’t work without me and used to take me in every film of his. But for a while he hasn't cast me in any film.”

Jackie Shroff on Shah Rukh Khan

Shroff also spoke about Shah Rukh Khan and remembered meeting him during the shooting of King Uncle (1993), in which SRK played his younger brother. He said, “Shah Rukh was shooting for King Uncle then, where he played my younger brother. He came on set to shoot a song and sat quietly in one corner. He had this beautiful quality of showing respect while maintaining a certain distance. I found him very charming and had such a beautiful smile.”

Meanwhile, Shroff will next be seen in The Great Grand Superhero: Aliens Ka Aagman, which is set to release on May 29.