Tiger Shroff: My father is the original hero, he doesn't have to try like me. I fake it.

Jaggu dada is flamboyance redefined and his cub is frightfully focussed. If he wowed cine-goers with his antics, Shroff Jr danced his way nimbly into their hearts. And when they come together, you can see the patent Shroff signature that binds the two ' good looks, easy charm and earthiness. With his unabashed attitude and bindaas personality, you may think Jackie must be the same way with his children.But the reality is far from it. Jackie 'Bhidu' Shroff is a super caring father who fusses over his kids like any other dad. For instance, after the interview as Tiger steps out of the house and returns immediately, Jackie goes into superstition overdrive, asking his son to sit down and have a sip of water (he says his mom taught him that). In a heart-to-heart chat with BT, Tiger and his suave dad talk about what makes them, what tames them and what sets them on the prowl.

Do you both celebrate Father's Day?
Tiger Shroff: I used to write letters to my parents. Unfortunately, I have not had the time ever since I entered the industry, but I make it a point to go out on family lunches on special occasions. Of course, my father pays the bill (laughs). Anyway, I love my dad, so Father's Day is just another day for me.
What's the best gift that you have received from him on Father's Day?
Jackie Shroff: I don't understand the materialistic aspect of gifting someone. I cherish the new identity he has given me, which is 'Tiger Ka Baap'. The mothers who got married listening to the flute in my film Hero, now their knee-high kids call me Tiger's dad. He has given me a new name and a new identity.
Your father was in the prime of his career when you were growing up and now you are in the thick of things. Do both of you wish you had more time with each other?
Tiger: I don't take my family for granted. Everything I do is for them. That's where I get my motivation to work harder and give them a happier life. I know my father doesn't expect anything from me. He wants me to work for myself and he doesn't want me to support him in anything. He is still out there, killing it.
Jackie: He is there for us despite his busy schedule. Even if we meet and have eye contact for two minutes, that's enough for me. The way the younger generation looks into their phones, they need to do the same with their loved ones too.

Your dad must have given you tons of advice before your acting debut...
Tiger: He always tells me to listen more, speak less and to respect everybody. We follow a quote by Bruce Lee since we are his fans ' 'An actor should be like water and adapt to the environment'.
Jackie: I don't have to advise him on anything. He has learnt watching his parents. He knows the pain as he has been through ups and downs in life. Picture chali, nahin chali, how does that matter?
Jackie, what made you name him Tiger? It's unusual, right?
As a baby he would bite. We have a picture of him biting his mother's nose. He would scratch my face, too. Even when my girlfriend did it, I would put the blame on him (laughs!). I started calling him Tiger and that became his name. My wife named him Jai and our daughter Krishna, which has originated from the two halves of my name, Jaikishan.

Who is the better hero and who has more heropanti?
Tiger: He is the original hero ' a real-life one. He doesn't have to try like me. I am trying to fake it. I am not doing a very great job at it, but I am getting there.
Jackie: There is no comparing two films of his to 225 films of mine. Paagal hai kya? I have earned love and respect for my work, but it has grown more because I am his father. God has been kind as there is so much love for him from his fans ' children (who can't even pronounce his name properly), young girls and their mothers as well. They are excited to see me, not just because I am Jaggu ' purana chaawal ' but also because of Tiger. They request me to write 'Tiger's Daddy' when they take my autograph. Mind you, it's not a cakewalk to get rid of the baggage of your father. If my father was an actor, I would find it really difficult to make my own standing. I am known as Tiger's father and I am bloody proud of that.

How similar are you as actors?
Jackie: We both depend on technicians and are directors' actors. I am not too serious like my counterparts. I know when I stand I will be easily seen, unlike others who get overshadowed by their bodyguards. I am not someone who is worried about making an impression like others who walk with their entourage. We go alone and handle people alone. You will never see us with a bodyguard.
Your father still makes women go weak in the knees. Is there a competition over that?
Tiger: All the time. There is a bit of jealousy, too, but you can't compete with him. After working for a couple of years, I have realised how much hard work it takes to become an actor and my father has gone through it all these years. It's draining, both physically and mentally, but he makes it look so effortless. I am very proud of him, but I am very competitive. I have been a sportsman and that discipline adds to that spirit. There was a time when people called me 'Jackie Shroff ka beta' and now they call him 'Tiger ka baap'. That's a very good feeling.
Jackie: He is being modest (smiles).

Are you constantly reminded that your father is more flamboyant, while you are the reserved one?
Tiger:Yes, and that's a fact. I don't dispute that at all.
Jackie: He takes it with a pinch of salt (laughs!).
Tiger: I am a day dreamer. I visualise a lot of things at the same time. I am most focused when I am working. Even dad's thoughts are scattered, but he is talented enough to channelise everything easily and effortlessly. I am an over-thinker and tend to stress a lot. I am insecure and I think that's what drives me to push the envelope.
Tiger is very shy. Do you ever tell him to loosen up?
Jackie: But that's how I was. I came from a chawl, and when I started out main zyada baat nahi karta tha, mera haath zyada chalta tha (both laugh!). I was also shy and an introvert. I would even get scared of fire-crackers, aur bed ke neeche chhup jaata tha. I couldn't speak much, because neither my Hindi nor my English was strong. All I knew was the Mumbaiyya language, which wasn't comprehensible to many, so, I wouldn't open my mouth. When I held Tiger for the first time, there was a smile on his face and dream in his eyes. He has the mind of a wanderer, never at one place. He would be thinking about 10 different things at the same time.

Do you both discuss women, too?
Jackie: I discuss ladies with him. Why not if it's healthy? He doesn't talk much about women. He is in love with his mother, sister and friends.
Ever had a crush on the same actress?
Tiger: We are both fans of Madhuri Dixit.
Who has outnumbered the other in the count of girlfriends?
Jackie: Me, obviously. I've lost count of the number of girlfriends. I am Lord Krishna when it comes to girls. Women love and respect me. Many tie me rakhi and several others wish to have a boyfriend/husband like me. For Tiger, his work is his girlfriend.

Would you remember your son's first date or any of his girlfriends?
Jackie: I remember his Israeli classmate when he was in fourth standard. They looked cute together. I even wanted them to get married.
Tiger: I had always seen him surrounded by people; I used that to my advantage every now and then. When I was young, I used to feel very proud. All the girls used to look at me and say, 'Oh he is your dad!' He would come to pick me up in his fancy cars. So, on one such occasion, he was waiting for me and this girl was around. She wasn't my girlfriend, but someone I had a crush on. My father sort of caught the interaction between us and the whole way back he teased me.
Tiger, do you feel the pressure to behave in a certain way because you are his son?
I am who I am. I am not very complicated. I am simple and an introvert. I try to be down-to-earth like him. There is a pressure and expectation from a star son, but I use it to my strength and work harder. There is so much competition nowadays. I am my father's son only until the lights go off. After that it's my show.
Listen to the songs of Jackie Shroff on gaana.com