Cinema VinesIn Mumbai, actor Jaaved Jaaferi is riding the wave of success from his latest outing, “Dhamaal 4.” The veteran, who has been part of the franchise since its 2007 debut, spoke to PTI about the meticulous work that went into shaping his character, Manav, for the fourth instalment.
Jaaferi explained that the role demanded a delicate balance between childlike innocence and grounded realism. He deliberately stripped the bass from his voice, added a slight lisp, and adopted a slouched, floppy body language to make Manav appear physically weaker than the other characters. “I wanted him to look childlike, not caricaturish,” he said, recalling director Indra Kumar’s guidance that the character should be “childish, stupid but loyal.” The costume team was tasked with creating a distinctive look, which Jaaferi achieved by opting for dungarees that gave Manav a unique appearance without tipping into exaggeration.
The film, released on June 10, has already grossed over ₹145 crore at the box office, marking it as the franchise’s most expansive entry yet. Jaaferi’s co‑stars include Ajay Devgn, Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi, and Sanjay Mishra, with Warsi playing Manav’s elder brother, Adi. The two actors share a long‑standing friendship that dates back to their early days in the industry, a bond that Jaaferi says “has always come naturally” on screen.
Beyond the set, Jaaferi’s comedic instincts were honed long before his film career, beginning with his work in advertising. He recalled contributing to the writing of the iconic Maggi commercials directed by Prahlad Kakkar, which featured Pankaj Kapur. “I wrote many of the situations and dialogues. It eventually became an iconic campaign,” he noted. His stint as a VJ on Channel V, hosting shows such as “Timex Timepass” and “Videocon Flashback,” further cemented his reputation as a comic performer.
When asked whether he inherited his comedic talent from his father, veteran actor‑comedian Jagdeep, Jaaferi emphasized that natural ability alone is insufficient. “There is something called genetics and growing up watching him certainly had an impact on me. But talent has to be developed. It’s a combination of talent and hard work,” he said. The actor’s reflection on his craft and family background underscores the depth behind his on‑screen persona in the latest Dhamaal adventure.
