Jai Hemant Shroff (born 2 March 1990), known professionally as Tiger Shroff, is an Indian actor who works in Hindi films. Born to actors Jackie Shroff and Ayesha Dutt, he made his acting debut with the action romance Heropanti (2014), for which he won the IIFA Award for Star Debut of the Year – Male. Shroff went on to star in the commercially successful films Baaghi (2016), Baaghi 2 (2018), and War (2019), which established him as an action star.
In 2019, Shroff co-founded the mixed martial arts organisation Matrix Fight Night (MFN). He has featured in Forbes India Celebrity 100 list in 2018 and 2019. As a singer, he has released several singles.
Early life and background
Jai Hemant Shroff was born on 2 March 1990, to Indian film actor Jackie Shroff and his wife Ayesha Shroff (née Dutt). He has a younger sister named Krishna Shroff. On his paternal side, he is of Gujarati and Turkmen ancestry while from his maternal side, he is of Bengali and Belgian descent. His maternal grandfather was Air Vice Marshal Ranjan Dutt, a Vir Chakra awardee.
Shroff is a devout Hindu devotee of Lord Shiva and has attributed his physique to Shiva. He holds a fast every Monday and during every Mahashivaratri festival. He studied at the American School of Bombay.
Due to his experience in martial arts, he has frequently spent time helping other actors train for films. In 2014, he was awarded an honorary fifth degree black belt in Taekwondo.
Career
Early work and established action star (2012–2020)
In 2012, Shroff was signed by producer Sajid Nadiadwala to make his film debut in Sabbir Khan's action romantic comedy Heropanti. To prepare for the role, he took flexibility training under Ziley Mawai. Released in 2014, Heropanti was a commercial success with a gross of worldwide. He gained praise for his dancing skills, action sequences, physique and for the ability to perform stunts, but was also criticised for his acting, looks and dialogue delivery. Subhash K. Jha said that he "emotes, he dances and yes, he can fight". However, Sweta Kaushal of Hindustan Times disagreed, calling his "dialogues forced" and said "his expressions do nothing in a given situation". In spite of terming his performance "a little unconvincing", Kaushal called his action sequences "admirable" and said he's a "great dancer". Shroff's portrayal fetched him the Screen Award for Best Male Debut and the IIFA Award for Star Debut of the Year – Male in addition to a nomination in the same category at the 60th Filmfare Awards.
In 2016, Shroff reteamed with Nadiadwala and Sabbir in Baaghi (2016), set against the backdrop of a martial arts school while also featuring Shraddha Kapoor and Sudheer Babu. Earning in worldwide markets, Baaghi was also a success. That year he also played a martial arts teacher who gains superpowers, in Remo D'Souza's superhero film A Flying Jatt alongside Jacqueline Fernandez. In 2017, Shroff teamed with Sabbir for the third time in the dance film Munna Michael. Both A Flying Jatt and Munna Michael were unsuccessful at the box office.
In 2018, Shroff established himself in the industry with Ahmed Khan's Baaghi 2, a spiritual sequel to Baaghi, and the second installment of the Baaghi Film Series opposite Disha Patani. Produced by Nadiadwala, the film featured him as a rebellious army officer set on the mission to find his ex-girlfriend's missing daughter. Surpassing initial predictions, Baaghi 2 grossed net domestically in India and over worldwide to become one of the top-grossing Bollywood films of the year.
In 2019, Shroff appeared in Punit Malhotra's teen drama Student of the Year 2, his first mainstream romantic drama. Produced by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions, it was a standalone sequel to Student of the Year and saw Shroff portray a college student who competes in an annual school championship. Rajeev Masand of News18 called his performance "the film's singular strength". Ronak Kotecha, from The Times of India, agreed by saying "Tiger Shroff pretty much carries the film on his well-toned shoulders".