Jaaved Jaffrey: I wanted to work with Rohit Shetty

Javed Jaffrey

Actor Jaaved Jaffrey, who was part of Rohit Shetty's, Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif starrer ‘Sooryavanshi,' opens up to mid-day.com about what got him on board, his dance videos going viral, son Meezan's career and more. 'Sooryavanshi' will make its TV premiere on Zee Cinema on March 19.

It had been a long wait before 'Sooryavanshi' released...

The biggest load was on the producer and director. Besides being a labour of love they did not know when the theatres would open. It was crucial for Rohit Shetty and Akshay Kumar. Akshay was still doing another project but for Rohit this was his next. Of course we were also excited that it should come out.

What got you on board?
It wasn't a comic role but a serious one that required dignity and a lot of personality. It was exciting to be part of the film and I wanted to work with Rohit because I hadn't, even though I admired him.

People tend to associate you with comic roles because of your excellent timing...
Yes though I have done film like Besharam with Ranbir Kapoor and Bang Bang with Hrithik Roshan, that had serious characters.

Your dance videos from the past keep going viral from time to time...
For me it's been there, done that you cant keep hanging on to something you did. Of course the recognition feels good because people didn't do those kind of steps back then, that nostalgia gives satisfaction but you move on.

Now your son Meezan is also in the movies...
Meezaan has been in the movies for two and half years now but things slowed down because of the lockdown. He has the talent and will hone his skills but he has what it takes. This year he has four films releasing so that's something we are looking forward to.