Priyadarshan: “I Am Lucky To Have Worked With Jagdeepji & Now His Grandson Meezaan”

Many would like to remember Jagdeep not only  as Soorma  Bhopali in Sholay (1975) but also as  Badriprasad Chaurasia  in  Priyadarshan’s Muskurahat (1992)

“It was an absolute delight  to direct Jagdeepji in Muskurahat and now  I am  directing his grandson Meezaan in  Hungama 2 who is  such a disciplined dedicated artiste,  just like his grandfather. Quite  a  chip off the  old block, this  lad.” Says  Priyan.

Recalling  the experience  of  directing  Jadgeep  in Muskurahat Priyan says, “What I  still remember  vividly   about him is  that he  would actually listen to my directorial  instructions  and then  give the shot.A  lot of actors just pretend  to listen.  Not him.He  was on it fully.”

A  lot of  movie buffs  believe Jagdeep’s performance in  Muskurahat to be  on a par with his  celebrated  Soorma Bhopali in Sholay.

“I know, I agree,” says Priyan. “Sadly  Muskurahat  didn’t work. It was  my first  Hindi film.The heroine  Revathi  was from the South and  the hero Jay Mehta was  new. So we didn’t get an audience. But Muskurahat remains  one  of  my favourite films from my own repertoire.And Jagdeepji’s role  and  performance were  among the highlights  of  this feelgood  film.”