Saeed Jaffrey (b. 1929)

Internationaly successful actor born in Maler Kotla in Punjab. His father worked in the Indian Medical service. Degree in history in Allahabad; worked for AIR (1951-6); formed English theatre company, the Unity Theatre, in New Delhi (1951). Worked for TV in India (1955-6). Studied at RADA in London (1956) and at the Catholic University of America. Worked for United Nations Radio and at the India Tourist Office in the USA (1958-60). Toured Shakespeare across the USA and joined the Actors’ Studio in New York. Extensive stage career in the USA and in Great Britain (1966). Cartoonist for New York Mirror. Wrote, produced and narrated Reflections of India for WQXR radio (1961-2). Made a recording of his poetry readings, Adventures in Appreciation. Hindi début in Ray’s Shatranj Ke Khiladi. Acts in many commercial Hindi films often using the Lucknowi dialect. Narrated early Merchant-Ivory shorts and appeared in their features. Numerous TV appearances in Britain, including his own series Tandoori Nights (1985-7). Made a big impact in the innovative TV series Gangsters and in the British TV film, My Beautiful Launderette.

FILMOGRAPHY: 1969: Callan: The Worst Soldier I Ever Saw (TV); The Guru; View from the Window (TV); The Perfumed Garden; 1971: The Horsemen; 1972: The Sun Rises in the East (TV); 1974: The Wilby Conspiracy; 1975: The Man Who Would Be King; 1976: Gangsters (TV); 1977: Shatranj Ke Khiladi; 1978: Hullabaloo over Georgie and Bonnie’s Pictures; The Last Giraffe; Destiny (TV); 1979: Tales of the Unexpected: Poison (TV); Minder: The Bengal Tiger (TV); Ek Baar Phir; 1980: We Think the World of You (TV); Staying On (TV); 1981: Chashme Buddoor; Sphinx; 1982: Star; Gandhi; Courtesans of Bombay; Masoom; 1983: The Jewel in the Crown (TV); Kisise Na Kehna; Romance, Romance; Agaman; Ek Din Bahu Ka; Mandi; Cricketer; 1984: A Passage to India; The Far Pavilions (TV); Mashaal; Bhavna; The Razor’s Edge; Le Soleil se leve a l’est; 1985: Sagar; Phir Aayi Barsaat; My Beautiful Laundrette (TV); Far from the Kama Sutra (TV); White Lies (TV); Down With Oswald Pick (TV); Far from the Ganges (TV); Film Fare (TV); Ram Teri Ganga Maili; Jaanoo; Karishma Kudrat Ka; Tandoori Nights (TV); 1986: Mohammed’s Daughter (Sh); Qatl; Jalwa; Kala Dhandha Goray Log; 1987: Awaam; Khudgarz; Aulad; Adalat; Isi Bahane (TV); Tamas (TV); Killing on the Exchange (TV); 1988: Vijay; Khoon Bhari Maang; Just Ask for Diamond; Eeshwar; Kab Tak Chup Rahungi; Hero Hiralal; The Deceivers; Partition (TV); 1989: Ram Lakhan; Daata; Aakhri Gulam; Hisab Khoon Ka; Chaalbaaz; Hard Cases (TV); Manika, Une vie plus tard; Romancing the Taj (TV); 1990: Aandhiyan; Yaadon Ka Mausam; Sindoor Ki Awaaz; Solah Satra; Diwana Mujhsa Nahin; Dil; Naya Khoon; Shaandaar; After Midnight; Ghar Ho To Asia; Patthar Ke Insaan; 1991: Ajooba; Masala; Harum Scarum (TV); Rumpole and the Quacks (TV); Gunehgaar Kaun; Henna; Indrajit; Yaara Dildara; 1992: Vartmaan; Suryavanshi; Laatsaab; Nishchay; 1993: Balma; Guddu; Anmol; Chalte Chalte (TV); Aashiq Awara; Aaina; 15th August; Ek Hi Raasta; Aulad Ke Dushman; Little Napoleons (TV); 1994: Param Veer Chakra; Dilwale; Bali Umar Ko Salaam; Salami; Yeh Dillagi; 1995: Sauda; Vartaman; Jai Vikranta; Param Veer Chakra; Prem; Saajan Ki Baahon Mein; Veergati; Kartavya; Angrakshak; Gambler; Trimurti.

Actor