Before Jackie Shroff became a well-known Bollywood star, his life was full of struggles and uncertainty. Born as Jai Kishan Kakubhai Shroff, Jackie grew up in a simple chawl in Tardeo, Mumbai, with no connections in the film industry. During his tough early days chasing his acting dreams, he had no godfather or family support, feeling often alone on the streets of Mumbai.

But Jackie was never truly alone. He had a loyal companion—a street dog he had adopted. This dog was not just a pet but a source of friendship and comfort during lonely times. This special bond between Jackie and his dog played an unexpected role in his destiny.

Jackie’s big break came when legendary director Subhash Ghai was searching for a new face for his upcoming film Hero (1983). He wanted someone who looked like an ordinary man but had a strong personality. One day, Ghai noticed Jackie walking along with his dog. The director was captivated not only by Jackie’s rugged, innocent look and style but especially by the affectionate relationship he shared with his dog.

Ghai believed that someone who could show such genuine love for an animal would make a true hero on screen. Without any audition, he offered Jackie the lead role in Hero, which went on to become a blockbuster and made Jackie Shroff an overnight superstar.

Coincidentally, the name of the film that launched Jackie’s career was Hero, the same name he had given to his loyal dog—the true hero who helped change his fate.

This inspiring story highlights how an unlikely friendship helped Jackie Shroff escape struggle and rise to Bollywood stardom, forever remembered as "Jaggu Dada."