The title of Jackie Shroff's new Amazon Prime Video film can also be his life mantra - Mast Mein Rehne Ka. Jackie, 66, has done over 250 films in a career that has spanned 40 years. Even after debuting as 'Hero' in the 1983 film, the actor often embraced roles that didn't necessarily put him in the lead. It is this adaptability that he believes is responsible for the longevity of his career. In this interview with indianexpress.com, Jackie talks about how he manages to stay relevant at his age, why he gave up playing lead roles and embracing the supporting roles in films such as Devdas, or that of the antagonist in movies like Mission Kashmir. Jackie is one of the most loved celebrities on social media with people religiously trying to recreate his simple home food recipes, hailing his fashion and style and walking around town with a potted plant in his hand. The actor says it all comes naturally to him and he doesn't believe in putting up a facade. "Is there another option if not mast mein rehne ka (enjoying life to the fullest)? It is better to live mast than live in grief. The public doesn't like sad people, they won't even sit next to you. There are very few people who listen to you, the rest of them want you to listen to their stories. So, it is just nice to live life king size while you are here on this earth and make the fullest of your life," the actor explains the philosophy of his life. When asked when did he decide that he wanted to move out of playing leading roles, he says, "That had happened a long time ago. I became a villain in Mission Kashmir and Parinda, played a different role in Devdas, for me it never made a difference. I didn't bother what role I was playing in a film. So what if the film's title is Devdas, I was Chunni Babu. So, for me it really didn't matter. I changed. No, I was always like this. I started as a junior artiste in Swami Dada." "So today whatever I am, I think I have come a long way, so I feel a lot of gratitude. I didn't change, I had entered the industry with that mindset that I'll do whatever work I get, do what my heart feels right. So it came naturally to me to become a villain in Mission Kashmir, Baba in Sai Baba, a father in Yaadein, did romance in Rangeela. So I had a blast, I am still having a blast because I accept anything, I don't get scared. I just stand ready for whatever comes my way," he adds. Jackie's social media game is also on point as he has attracted a dedicated fan following on Instagram. He says he doesn't put up an act, but he is just himself on social media. He says, "By just being yourself, just the way you are. You are not trying to do anything, it is just what you are that is coming out. If you try doing something then it won't happen, so what you have in you, let it come out naturally, that's what I feel." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) Jackie also shares a sweet banter with the paparazzi and almost all his pap interactions go viral on social media at a time when many celebrities struggle to safeguard their privacy. The actor says he knows the paparazzi from the time he was still a struggler and considers them his brothers. He says, "What's there to struggle? They have been around for so many years. They have been with me for forty years. Some of their children have now taken to their footsteps and are clicking our pictures. So we are all friends, I don't look at labels, I don't care who is from where and what they do, I see the human. All of us are the same, we eat the same food, drink the same water, same pains, same love, same desires. I love these guys just like I love my family. Tiger, my daughter and wife are the most happy seeing us having a good time (on social media) because they know who I am." "I have taught all these things to Tiger also. They are always warm towards the paps. We all have one life, mazze le aur nikal le (have fun and go)," he concludes.
