Back after a disappearing act

Actor Jackie Shroff, who makes his re-entry on the small screen as a host of the television show India’s Magic Star, says that the child in him convinced him to take up the show.

“I’ve tried tricks with magic as a child, which was one of the reasons I agreed to be a part of this show. It’s different from the regular song and dance shows and provides a platform to lesser known magicians in the country,” says Shroff, who has hosted shows such as Lehrein, Missing and Chitrahar earlier.

The actor, who was recently seen in Ek Second Jo Zindagi Badal De, is looking forward to his next film, Maalik Ek, in which he plays Sai Baba. “I was apprehensive about taking on the role but once I got into the costume and put on the make-up, it was easy. I started walking and talking like Sai Baba,” says Shroff.

The 50-year-old actor completes 29 years in the film industry this year. Talk to him about the changing times and he says that today’s heroines lack elegance and sensuality. “They seem so pale in comparison to yesteryear beauties like Nanda and Sadhana, who were covered from head-to-toe,” he says.