Bollywood superstar Salman Khan made a surprise appearance at veteran actor Jackie Shroff’s 69th birthday celebration, earning heartfelt praise from filmmaker Subhash Ghai for his humility and respect for senior colleagues. The intimate gathering, hosted at Ghai’s residence on February 1, 2026, brought together close friends from the industry for a memorable evening.
Subhash Ghai’s Emotional Tribute to Salman
Taking to Instagram, director Subhash Ghai shared a photograph featuring himself posing with Salman Khan and birthday boy Jackie Shroff, accompanied by a touching caption that highlighted Salman’s graciousness.
“Indeed salman khan is one of the most gracious stars who respects his seniors in his mind heart n gesture too. On just receipt of my SMS asking him to join a close friend’s eve on birthday of dear Jackie Shroff he surprised us with his gracious visit at my home n brightened the eve. thank u. Stay blessed always, Salman,” Ghai wrote.
The director’s words underscore Salman’s reputation for maintaining strong relationships with veteran actors and filmmakers, despite his own superstar status. The fact that Salman responded immediately to a simple SMS request and personally attended the celebration speaks volumes about his values and character.
An Intimate Evening of Close Friends
Unlike typical Bollywood birthday bashes that feature hundreds of industry insiders, Jackie Shroff’s 69th birthday was marked by a deliberately intimate gathering of close friends. The celebration was graciously hosted by filmmaker Subhash Ghai and his wife at their residence.
In a separate Instagram post, Ghai expressed gratitude to his wife for organizing the memorable evening:
“Proud of my wife Mrs Ghai, who was gracious to invite jackie s close friends at home on cake cutting last night to celebrate happy birthday of our beloved Jackie Shroff. Great small evening of friends, which was graced by our Ronit Roy Meenakshi, Sheshadri, Poonam Dhillon, Rummy Jafry and special appearance of Salman Khan n friends. Thank you all for making Jackie and us happy at home,” he wrote.
The guest list included:
- Ronit Roy and Meenakshi – The acclaimed television and film actor known for his powerful performances in series like Kasautii Zindagii Kay and films like Udaan
- Meenakshi Sheshadri – Jackie’s co-star from the iconic 1983 film Hero, marking a reunion of the original pair
- Poonam Dhillon – Veteran actress who has worked across Hindi cinema for decades
- Rumi Jafry – Renowned screenwriter and filmmaker known for penning blockbusters like Coolie No. 1 (1995), Hero No. 1 (1997), and Biwi No.1 (1999)
The photograph shared by Ghai shows the group in a candid moment, with Jackie Shroff’s birthday cake prominently featured in the frame.
Director Rumi Jafry’s Glimpses
Director Rumi Jafry, who attended the celebration, shared additional photos from the evening on his social media handles, providing fans with more glimpses of the intimate gathering. Jafry, who has written scripts for over 50 films and directed movies like God Tussi Great Ho (2008), Life Partner (2009), and Chehre (2021), has maintained long-standing friendships within the industry.
The Hero Connection: Subhash Ghai and Jackie Shroff
The bond between Subhash Ghai and Jackie Shroff dates back to 1983, when Ghai cast the then-struggling actor in the lead role of Hero. The film became a blockbuster and established Jackie Shroff as a leading Bollywood actor, launching one of the most successful careers in Hindi cinema.
Interestingly, Ghai had initially considered Jackie a “bad actor” but was drawn to his authentic screen presence. “I cast him because he was fitting into my character. His face, which held a mirror to his struggles of life, and his honesty… I knew he would learn. What if he is bad, I will teach him. He tried to learn and, in the process, he became a good actor,” Ghai revealed in a previous interview.
Hero, which also starred Meenakshi Sheshadri in her breakthrough role, featured music by the legendary duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal and became one of the defining films of 1980s Bollywood. The film was so successful that it was remade in Telugu and Kannada in the 1980s, and again in Hindi in 2015 with the same title.
The presence of Meenakshi Sheshadri at Jackie’s birthday celebration represents a beautiful full-circle moment, with the original Hero duo reuniting alongside the director who launched them both.
Ghai’s Heartfelt Poem for Jackie
Prior to the birthday celebration, Subhash Ghai had penned a heartfelt note and poem for Jackie Shroff, expressing his pride in the actor’s journey and the values he represents. While the specific content of the poem wasn’t detailed in the report, Ghai’s social media post spoke about how proud he feels of Jackie’s evolution as both an actor and a person.
Jackie Shroff: 69 Years of Authentic Stardom
Born Jaikishan Kakubhai Saraf on February 1, 1957, in Mumbai, Jackie Shroff has completed an illustrious career spanning over four decades. With appearances in 250 films across 13 languages, he has received several accolades including four Filmfare Awards.
Jackie’s father, Kakubhai Haribhai Shroff, was Gujarati, while his mother was Turkmen who fled the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic during a coup. This diverse heritage contributed to Jackie’s distinctive screen presence and universal appeal.
Known for his unique style, earthy charm, and the affectionate moniker “Jaggu Dada,” Jackie has remained one of Bollywood’s most beloved figures. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he has successfully transitioned into character roles and continues to work actively in films.
Jackie’s Family Celebrations
While the industry celebration at Subhash Ghai’s residence was intimate, Jackie also received warm birthday wishes from his family. His son, Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff, and daughter Krishna Shroff both took to social media to celebrate their father’s special day.
Tiger shared family photos featuring himself, Krishna, Jackie, and their mother Ayesha Shroff, wishing his father with the caption: “Bhaijaan janamdin mubarak hooo (red heart emoji)”.
Krishna Shroff, born on January 21, 1993, is an entrepreneur and documentary filmmaker who runs MFN (Matrix Fight Night), an MMA promotion company. She is engaged to Abdul Azim Badakhshi, a professional MMA fighter from Afghanistan. Tiger Shroff, meanwhile, has carved his own niche in Bollywood as an action star known for his martial arts skills and gravity-defying stunts.
Jackie is married to Ayesha Dutt, a film producer, and the couple has maintained a strong family bond despite the pressures of the film industry.
Salman Khan’s Upcoming: Battle of Galwan
While Salman took time out from his busy schedule to attend Jackie’s birthday, the superstar is currently preparing for one of his most ambitious projects to date. His upcoming film Battle of Galwan, directed by Apoorva Lakhia, is based on the 2020 Galwan Valley clash between India and China in which 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives.
The film is scheduled for release on April 17, 2026. Actress Chitrangada Singh has been paired opposite Salman in this patriotic war drama.
The teaser, released on Salman’s 60th birthday in December 2025, showcases the actor embracing the role of an Indian Army officer with “restrained ferocity and quiet authority”. Produced by Salma Khan under the banner of Salman Khan Films, the project represents Salman’s commitment to telling important stories from Indian military history.
Salman has described the physical challenges of the role, mentioning the difficulty of shooting in Ladakh at high altitudes and in cold water. “For instance, in ‘Sikandar’ the action was different, the character was different. But this is physically difficult. Besides, shooting in Ladakh, in high altitude and in cold water (is another challenge),” he explained.
The actor’s last release was Sikandar, directed by A R Murugadoss and co-starring Rashmika Mandanna, which hit theaters in March 2025.
April 2026: A Competitive Release Window
Battle of Galwan is entering a highly competitive theatrical landscape in April 2026. The film’s release has reportedly prompted Alia Bhatt and Sharvari’s spy thriller Alpha to be postponed to avoid a direct box office clash with Salman’s patriotic drama.
March 2026 is already packed with major releases including Dhurandhar 2 and Toxic, both expected to command massive screen counts. As a result, several films originally slated for early April, including Bhooth Bangla, are considering postponement to secure clearer release windows.
Given Salman Khan’s strong theatrical pull and the patriotic theme of Battle of Galwan, exhibitors are expected to prioritize the film with wider releases and premium screens across India.
The Enduring Bond of Bollywood’s Brotherhood
The birthday celebration at Subhash Ghai’s residence exemplifies the enduring friendships and professional bonds that characterize Bollywood at its best. Despite the industry’s competitive nature and generational shifts, occasions like these remind us that genuine relationships transcend box office rivalries and career trajectories.
Salman Khan’s immediate response to Ghai’s SMS invitation, his willingness to attend an intimate gathering rather than a high-profile industry event, and the warmth evident in the photographs all speak to values that resonate beyond stardom.
For Jackie Shroff, turning 69 surrounded by friends who have been part of his journey—from Subhash Ghai who gave him his breakthrough to Meenakshi Sheshadri with whom he shared screen magic, and Salman Khan who represents the next generation of superstars—represents the fulfillment of a life well-lived in cinema.
As Subhash Ghai’s heartfelt Instagram post concluded: “Stay blessed always, Salman”. The sentiment could equally apply to Jackie Shroff, who continues to inspire with his authenticity, humility, and enduring screen presence even as he enters his 70th year.
Looking Ahead
As Jackie Shroff continues to work actively in films, accepting interesting character roles that showcase his range and experience, and Salman Khan prepares to bring the heroic story of the Galwan Valley martyrs to the big screen, their appearance together at this intimate celebration reminds us of Bollywood’s unique ability to create and sustain meaningful relationships across generations.
In an industry often criticized for its superficiality and short-term loyalties, the genuine affection evident in Subhash Ghai’s words, the presence of decades-old friends and collaborators, and Salman’s gracious gesture of attending despite his superstar schedule offer a heartwarming counternarrative.
Here’s to Jackie Shroff’s 69th year—and to the enduring bonds of Bollywood brotherhood that make moments like these possible.