Jackie Shroff pays tribute to Saeed Jaffrey on his 11th death anniversary
Synopsis
Eleven years after his death, Saeed Jaffrey — the trailblazer who became the first Indian actor to tour Shakespeare on American stages — is remembered by co-star Jackie Shroff through an Instagram post. Jaffrey's journey from Malerkotla to Broadway, the BBC, and David Lean's films remains one of Indian cinema's most remarkable international crossovers.
Key Takeaways
Jackie Shroff posted an Instagram tribute to Saeed Jaffrey on his 11th death anniversary on 15 November 2026 .
Saeed Jaffrey passed away on 15 November 2015 at age 86 following a brain haemorrhage at his London home.
Jaffrey and Shroff shared screen space in six films between 1985 and 2001 .
Jaffrey was the first Indian actor to tour Shakespearean productions across the United States and appeared on Broadway .
His notable credits span 'Shatranj Ke Khilari' , 'Gandhi' , 'A Passage to India' , and the British TV series 'The Jewel in the Crown' .
Actor Jackie Shroff on 15 November 2026 paid a heartfelt tribute to veteran actor Saeed Jaffrey on his 11th death anniversary, sharing a remembrance post on Instagram featuring a video montage of pictures of the late artiste.
Jackie's Tribute
Shroff captioned the post: "Remembering Saeed Jaffrey ji on his death anniversary #SaeedJaffrey." The gesture underscores the deep bond the two actors shared across decades of collaboration in Hindi cinema.
The two actors appeared together in several films, including 'Jaanoo' (1985), 'Pathar Ke Insan' (1990), 'Laat Saab' (1992), 'Aaina' (1993), 'Trimurti' (1995), and 'Albela' (2001) — a filmography that spans nearly two decades of shared screen space.
Saeed Jaffrey: A Life in Cinema and Theatre
Saeed Jaffrey was born on 8 January 1929 in Malerkotla, Punjab, and built a distinguished career across film, television, and theatre in India, the United Kingdom, and internationally. He began his journey on stage and became the first Indian actor to take Shakespearean theatre productions on a tour across the United States, also appearing in a leading role on Broadway.
In the UK, he gained widespread recognition through television dramas such as 'Tandoori Nights', 'The Far Pavilions', and 'Gangsters'. His international credits include the acclaimed British television series 'The Jewel in the Crown' and David Lean's film 'A Passage to India'.
Notable Films and Legacy
Jaffrey's filmography in Indian cinema includes landmark productions such as 'Shatranj Ke Khilari', 'Gandhi', 'Ram Teri Ganga Maili', 'Henna', and 'Dil'. His ability to move effortlessly between Indian arthouse, Bollywood mainstream, and international productions made him one of the most versatile actors of his generation.
His Passing
Saeed Jaffrey passed away on 15 November 2015 at the age of 86, after collapsing at his London home following a brain haemorrhage. He never regained consciousness. The news was announced by his niece, Shaheen Aggarwal, who wrote: "Today, a generation of Jaffreys has passed away. Saeed Jaffrey has joined his brothers and sister and is rejoicing in the lap of his Heavenly Father, eternally."
Eleven years on, tributes from peers like Jackie Shroff serve as a reminder of the quiet but enduring influence Jaffrey continues to hold over Indian and international cinema.
Point of View
But his actual career arc — from Malerkotla to Broadway to David Lean — is the story of a genuinely global artist who achieved firsts that no Indian actor has since replicated at the same scale. Jackie Shroff's annual tribute keeps the memory alive, but Jaffrey deserves more than anniversary posts; his body of international work warrants critical reassessment by the Indian film establishment. That reassessment remains conspicuously absent.
NationPress
15 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Saeed Jaffrey?
Saeed Jaffrey was a veteran Indian actor born on 8 January 1929 in Malerkotla, Punjab, who built a celebrated career across Indian cinema, British television, and international film. He is widely regarded as one of the most versatile actors of his generation, with credits ranging from 'Shatranj Ke Khilari' and 'Gandhi' to 'A Passage to India' and the BBC series 'The Jewel in the Crown'.
When did Saeed Jaffrey die?
Saeed Jaffrey passed away on 15 November 2015 at the age of 86. He collapsed at his London home following a brain haemorrhage and never regained consciousness.
Why did Jackie Shroff pay tribute to Saeed Jaffrey?
Jackie Shroff paid tribute to Saeed Jaffrey on the occasion of the veteran actor's 11th death anniversary on 15 November. The two shared screen space in six films between 1985 and 2001, and Shroff marked the anniversary with an Instagram post featuring a video montage.
Which films did Jackie Shroff and Saeed Jaffrey appear in together?
Jackie Shroff and Saeed Jaffrey co-starred in six films: 'Jaanoo' (1985), 'Pathar Ke Insan' (1990), 'Laat Saab' (1992), 'Aaina' (1993), 'Trimurti' (1995), and 'Albela' (2001).
What made Saeed Jaffrey historically significant in Indian theatre?
Saeed Jaffrey became the first Indian actor to take Shakespearean theatre productions on a tour across the United States and also appeared in a leading role on Broadway. This milestone placed him in a unique position in the history of Indian performing arts internationally.
