Jackie Shroff on 33 Years of Ram Lakhan

‘Ram Lakhan’ (1989) completed 33 years, a couple of days ago. We at ETimes caught up with Jackie Shroff (the Ram of ‘Ram Lakhan’).
Excerpts from the conversation that transpired:

In a recent interview, Mr Subhash Ghai (maker of ‘Ram Lakhan’) reminisced about ‘Ram Lakhan’ and revealed that he didn’t have its script ready when he started shooting for it…
Well, he was a master of the game. He is even now. So what if he didn’t have a script? I just followed him- jaise bola acting karo, waise kiya.

Have you seen his latest ’36 Farmhouse’?

No, but I will. I want to see it at my farmhouse (in Lonavla), with him by my side. And, I shall ask him why he didn’t cast me in it (laughs).

Do you recall that moment when ‘Ram Lakhan’ was first offered to you?


It was sort of mandatory that I would be doing one film with Subhashji every year. So, it was one of those things. And, I didn’t ask any questions when Subhash ji asked me to do a film. I think that all I knew when I started on ‘Ram Lakhan’ was that it was the story of two brothers.



Some people feel that ‘Ram Lakhan’ is Mr Ghai’s best work. But there’s a strong school of thought that it is ‘Karz’. Your take on this?


Frankly, one should not rate Subhash Ghai’s films in any preference order. They were all wholesome entertainment, which have a repeat value even today. All his films, right from ‘Kalicharan’ had everything- comedy, emotion, tunes, dialogues… kya nahin tha?

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You and your leading lady in ‘Ram Lakhan’ – Dimple Kapadia – share a great bond of respect, till date…

We share a great bond of respect from the days of ‘Allah Rakha’ (1986). Dimple ji was an icon from her first film (‘Bobby’). For me to work with her was a very big thing. I had never imagined in my wildest dream that one day I would be singing songs and doing movie-scenes with her. What stood out for me as far as Dimpleji is concerned is the remarkable way she treated her juniors. Mind you, I was a nobody then and she was either ‘Dimple ma’am’ or ‘The Dimple Kapadia’.

You and Anil Kapoor created magic on screen in so many movies, besides ‘Ram Lakhan’…

Anil and I had a very special camaraderie, rather have one even now. I have sheer respect and affection for him and his family. My relationship with him can be defined in two words: ‘No Malice’.

As far as my early memories with him go, I remember him coming to Napean Sea Road to meet Sunita (who is his wife today). We used to hang out together; I used to be there on the bike with my friends and he would join sometimes. Once, he took my trousers when he was doing ‘Mashaal’.

I never had any ego, nor have one now. I never bothered whether I got top billing or which other actor did in the credit titles. I never bothered what the length of my role was. Not just with Anil, this applies with whosoever I have worked with. Anil is my older brother in real life and often the younger brother in reel life.

In that same interview which I referred to earlier, Mr Ghai touched upon a point that today’s heroes shy away from 2 or 3-hero films (though not in these exact words). Why is this happening?

Well, we saw Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn and Ranveer Singh in ‘Sooryavanshi’ recently, didn’t we? So, those days will return. Wait and watch.

Mr Ghai’s music was always a treat…

Well, he is coming back. He has put his leg back in the industry and I am sure you’ll see a lot more of all that.

Why don’t today’s films have such good music?

It’s all about the changing times. There is music around us which one might not like. But that is no yardstick to judge that the music today is bad.

If ‘Ram Lakhan’ is remade, who would you like to see as Ram and Lakhan?

Well, if it is remade, it should be remade with me and Anil. We haven’t changed!

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