Jackie Shroff Gets Emotional at Dharmendra & Asha Bhosle Tribute
- Kenneth Hopkins
- 41 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Jackie Shroff broke down in memories at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) during a massive tribute to legends Dharmendra and Asha Bhosle. While the "Jaggu Dada" of Bollywood was there to honor the icons, it was a surprise portrait of his own son, Tiger Shroff, that left him visibly moved.
Jackie Shroff Emotional at NGMA Tribute Explained
The core of Jackie Shroff’s emotional reaction at the NGMA exhibition was a nostalgic trip through the "Touring Cinema" era of Bollywood. Beyond honoring Dharmendra’s "He-Man" legacy and Asha Bhosle’s musical contribution, Jackie was confronted with a hand-painted portrait of a young Tiger Shroff. The actor spent significant time reminiscing about seeing legends like Dara Singh and Dev Anand on the big screen, noting that the craftsmanship of old hand-painted posters is a "lost art" that modern cinema desperately misses.
Full Tribute Breakdown: Jackie Shroff at NGMA
The event, held at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) in Mumbai, was designed as a multi-sensory journey through Indian cinematic history. Jackie Shroff arrived to a warm welcome and was immediately drawn to the "Touring Cinema" installation, which recreated the magic of watching films inside a train or mobile tent .
Honoring the Icons: Asha Bhosle & Dharmendra
The exhibition features a dedicated wall for Asha Bhosle, celebrating her legendary status as a playback singer. Simultaneously, the tribute to Dharmendra highlights his impact as India’s original "He-Man." Jackie reflected on how these artists shaped his own journey, calling Dharmendra the "beloved artist of everyone in India".
The "Tiger Baba" Surprise
While navigating the gallery, Jackie was stopped in his tracks by a photography and art section curated by the late Raghu Rai and SMF Suja. Amidst the legends, a portrait of Tiger Shroff (referred to by Jackie as "Tiger Baba") was displayed. Jackie’s reaction was a mix of pride and nostalgia, as he requested the cameras to focus on the artists behind the work rather than himself.
Nostalgia and Hand-Painted Art
Jackie took a deep dive into the history of cinema posters, specifically mentioning how eyes were hand-painted to look "lifelike" and "bloody" in old action posters. He recalled his days watching Dara Singh at Taj Silver cinema, emphasizing that the modern generation needs to see how much effort went into film promotion before the digital age.
What’s Next: NGMA Exhibition Dates and Availability
For fans looking to experience this cinematic journey, the exhibition isn't ending anytime soon.
Exhibition Duration: The show is confirmed to run until June 30, 2026 .
New Location Update: Starting June 15, 2026, a secondary part of the exhibition will also be hosted at the Dome Gallery.
International Note: While this is a physical exhibition in Mumbai, highlights and digital archives are expected to be available via the NGMA global portal for the diaspora audience in the US, UK, and Canada.
Quick Facts
Event: Tribute to Dharmendra & Asha Bhosle (Photography & Art Show)
Location: NGMA, Mumbai
Key Guest: Jackie Shroff
Curation: Raghu Rai (Posthumous) and Nidhi (NGMA)
Status: Exhibition Open until June 30, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Jackie Shroff get emotional at the event? He was overwhelmed by the nostalgia of "Touring Cinema" and seeing a surprise hand-painted tribute to his son, Tiger Shroff, alongside legends like Dev Anand and Nargis.
Where is the Dharmendra and Asha Bhosle tribute taking place? The exhibition is currently at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) in Mumbai and will expand to the Dome Gallery mid-June .
How long can I visit the NGMA exhibition? The exhibition is scheduled to stay open for the public until June 30, 2026, celebrating two months of cinema history.
What was the "Touring Cinema" mention by Jackie Shroff?
It refers to the old practice of showing movies in mobile setups or train carriages, a style of exhibition that Jackie says defines the "roots" of Indian cinema

