Jackie Shroff opens up about Salman Khan’s first break; Actor carried 'Matrubhumi' actor's photos to filmmakers

Veteran actor Jackie Shroff recently looked back at his long association with Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan during an interview. The actor opened up about the early stages of their careers and shared several memories from the time before both actors became major stars in Indian cinema. Jackie revealed that he played a small role in helping Salman Khan enter the film industry during his struggling days. He also recalled his first interaction with Shah Rukh Khan during the shooting of 'King Uncle' in 1993.Recalling in an interview with India Today about the period before Salman Khan became a superstar, Jackie Shroff said Salman was working as an assistant director on the film 'Falak' in 1988. At the same time, Salim Khan was associated with the project as the dialogue writer. Jackie explained that he noticed Salman’s photographs on the sets and immediately felt he had the looks needed for films. Wanting to help him, Jackie started carrying Salman’s pictures to different filmmakers in search of acting opportunities. Talking about Salman’s first break, Jackie said, “I got Sallu Baba his first film, 'Biwi Ho Toh Aisi'. But it was 'Maine Pyaar Kiya' that came later and turned him into a star.”Jackie Shroff further shared how he personally approached several filmmakers with Salman Khan’s photographs before the actor eventually landed a role. The veteran actor revealed that not everyone initially showed interest in casting Salman. “I saw his pictures on the sets and thought he was very handsome. So, I took his photo to Subhash Ghai ji, but he said no. Then I took it to KC Bokadia, who told me to show it to his brother-in-law, and that’s how Salman got the role. I used to roam around carrying his photos everywhere,” Jackie added.According to Jackie Shroff, Salman Khan often included him in many of his projects during the early phase of his career. The actor recalled that they collaborated on several films together over the years. Reflecting on their long association, Jackie said, “Both Salman and I have worked together in most of his productions. Earlier, he didn’t work without me and used to take me in every film of his. But for a while he hasn't cast me in any film.”During the same conversation, Jackie Shroff also opened up about his memories of working with Shah Rukh Khan during 'King Uncle'. In the film, Shah Rukh played Jackie’s younger brother. The actor recalled being impressed by Shah Rukh’s respectful and calm behaviour on the sets. Speaking about his first impression, Jackie said, “Shah Rukh was shooting for King Uncle then, where he played my younger brother. He came on set to shoot a song and sat quietly in one corner. He had this beautiful quality of showing respect while maintaining a certain distance. I found him very charming and had such a beautiful smile.”Meanwhile, Jackie Shroff is currently preparing for the release of his upcoming project 'The Great Grand Superhero: Aliens Ka Aagman'.Salman Khan's war drama, firstly was titled 'Battle of Galwan' and now renamed 'Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace', is expected to release around August 14, 2026. Recently, veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai shared a photo with Salman Khan along with Kabir Khan, Sooraj Barjatya, Chitrangda Singh, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Riteish Deshmukh, David Dhawan and others on X and wrote, "So beautiful to see my favourite directors together@food square today to watch a rough cut of a Apoorva lakhiya film MATRI BHUMI@ starring #salman khan based on a warm story of indo china soldiers with their respective emotions for their nations n families. A must watch film."