For Jackie Shroff, the glamour of Bollywood hasn't erased the warmth of where he came from. He lived humbly in a small flat within Mumbai’s Teen Batti neighborhood for more than thirty years—a home he deeply cherishes even today. Despite rising to fame, he stayed there awhile longer instead of immediately shifting to grander accommodations. Today, as time moves forward, he dreams about reconnecting with those early days—but faces an obstacle: the current owner refuses to allow it.
During an emotional conversation with journalist Vickey Lalwani on his YouTube channel, Jackie was questioned about whether he was attempting to reclaim his former room in the chawl. The star responded, "Yes, I’m making efforts, however they aren't willing to return it to me. According to the landlord, handing it over to me might mean... My reaction is 'dude, I'm not going anywhere with it'. Unfortunately, this man refuses to hand it over. I even offered him that regardless of how much rental income comes from my previous space—where currently four individuals reside—I would match exactly what these tenants contribute collectively each month. Still, he remains unwilling."
Jackie's bond with the room runs deeper than mere sentimentality—it holds immense emotional significance for him. After his brother passed away, his mother let go of the space, but Jackie feels strongly connected to it even today. "That room belongs to me. Following my brother’s demise, my mom moved out of it. Still, I wish to cherish this spot—spend time there and absorb its essence," he explained. He continued, "I lived there for 33 years; I truly adore how it makes me feel. Regardless of whether someone allows me access now, at times I just walk into that area during evenings, step onto the balcony, and chew a bit of paan."
The discussion further delved into Jackie's monetary challenges, notably following the release of the 2003 movie *Boom*. Looking back at that period, Jackie remarked, "Unless you're prepared for it... such situations will arise. It occurred, and we grew from it. Many individuals launching fresh ventures encounter both highs and lows—I went through them as well. Life brings various circumstances; what matters most is how you respond."
When questioned whether he reached out to colleagues in the business for support during those difficult days, Jackie remained steadfast in his beliefs. "I wasn't comfortable asking anyone," he said firmly. "It didn’t feel right to pass my problems onto someone else. That’s not something you should do—you must stay focused on your own path."