Jackie Shroff made his debut with Subhash Ghai’s ‘Hero’ but he’s seen a lot of struggle before he got fame. He used to live in a chawl for the longest time and hence he continues to value the little things in life even now. In a recent interview, the actor has opened up on his struggling days and how his wife Ayesha Shroff stood by him all through.He also spoke about their love story and how he decided he wanted to marry her. In a recent interaction, the veteran actor looked back on the moment he first laid eyes on Ayesha—an encounter that changed the course of his life. He said during a chat with Vickey Lalwani, “It was love at first sight with Ayesha, she travelling in a bus and I was on a bike driving behind that bus,” Jackie recalled. He was headed to his friend’s building to play pool, riding a borrowed bike, when he saw her. “She was hanging by the holding handle and was holding a flag. She was coming from a march past. She was 14-15 at that time and I said to myself, ‘This is the lady I shall marry.’”That moment sparked the beginning of their love story. When Ayesha got off the bus, Jackie introduced himself. A brief conversation led to more. Within days, her friend approached Jackie and told him that Ayesha believed he had what it takes to be an actor. She even encouraged him to audition for a film by OP Ralhan.The two eventually went together for the audition, and though it didn’t land them roles, it brought them closer. “Role nahi mila but we fell in love,” Jackie said with a smile. They even auditioned together for Teri Baahon Mein, where Jackie was rejected for being too thin—but Ayesha bagged the lead role.Despite their different upbringings—Ayesha came from a wealthy family, her father being the decorated Air Vice Marshal Ranjan Dutt—she never hesitated to stand by Jackie during his struggling years. “My wife sold her house to get me a house. She took care of me,” he shared with gratitude. She didn’t just support him financially—she shared his life, hardships and all.Jackie recalled how they lived in a one-room chawl after their marriage in 1987. “My house was running in Rs 30 when I was living in a chawl. Nobody expected anything from me. My wife stayed in one room with me at the chawl, she queued in line to go to washroom. I lived 33 years at the chawl.”As for whether Ayesha’s father had any reservations about their relationship, Jackie simply said, “No, he didn’t object, he must have seen my intention. He must have thought that I am a horse for the long race. I know I wasn’t how a young lad should have been but maybe they trusted me and I haven’t let their trust down.”
