Sholay's Soorma Bhopali, Prolific Actor Jagdeep, Dies At Age 81; Tributes Pour In

The year 2020 has not turned out to be a good year for Bollywood.

After Irfan Khan, Rishi Kapoor, Wajid Khan, Sushant Singh Rajput and Saroj Khan, now veteran actor and comedian Jagdeep has passed away. The 81-year-old actor was battling cancer.

Jagdeep, popularly known as Soorma Bhopali of the film Sholay, was born on March 29, 1939, in MP’s Datia, to a lawyer's house. His real name was Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed Jafri. He started his film career in 1951 as a child artist ’Master Munna' with BR Chopra's film 'Afsana'. Apart from this, his comedy was well-liked in films like Brahmachari, Nagin and Andaz Apna Apna.

Jagdeep established himself in the era when veteran actors like Johnny Walker and Mahmood spoke in Bollywood. He was made famous in Bollywood by the character of Soorma Bhopali played in 1975 Sholay.

In 1988, the film was made on his character’s name, featuring Jagdeep in the main role. Jagdeep started doing the comic role from Bimal Roy's film Do Bigha Zameen. He acted in more than 400 films. In 2012 he was last seen in the role of a police constable in the movie 'Gali Gali Chor'.

After the death of Jagdeep Jaffrey, the entire Bollywood is in mourning and tributes poured in from many celebrities.

My first film & the first time I ever faced the camera, was in the film #yehrishtanatoote with the legend himself #Jagdeep bhai. We will miss you...May his soul rest in peace Our prayers & deepest condolences to the family. pic.twitter.com/uhBjYSZdVe

— Johny Lever (@iamjohnylever) July 8, 2020

Sad to hear demise of the Veteran Actor Jagdeep Sir who entertained us for 7 Decades. My heartfelt condolences to Javed, Naved and the entire Jafri Family & Admirers .RIP pic.twitter.com/vnfWEqNDGi

— Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) July 8, 2020

एक और सितारा ज़मीन से आसमान में जा पहुँचा।#Jagdeep साब हिंदी फ़िल्म जगत के एक बहुत ही बेहतरीन कलाकार थे। एक हास्य अभिनेता के नाते उनका कोई सानी नहीं था।एक पार्टी में बहुत साल पहले उन्होंने मुझसे कहा था,”बरखुरदार ! हँसना आसान है, हँसाना बहुत मुश्किल है!” आपकी कमी बहुत खलेगी। pic.twitter.com/48yF0gu9uv

— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) July 8, 2020

Heard the sad news of Jagdeep Saab’s demise. Always enjoyed watching him on screen. He brought so much joy to the audience. My deepest condolences to Jaaved and all members of the family. Prayers for Jagdeep Saab’s soul

— Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) July 8, 2020

Jagdeep Jafri's character 'Laddoo Ustad' in the film Hum Panchhi Ek Dal Ke, which was released in 1957, was highly appreciated by everyone. Even former PM Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had praised Jagdeep at that time. 

Jagdeep's sons Javed Jaffrey and Naved Jaffrey are also associated with the entertainment industry.