From bungalows to standing in line for toilets: When Jackie Shroff's wife chose love over luxury. Her father also did not object

In an age where celebrity relationships are often marked by glitz and glamour, Jackie and Ayesha Shroff’s love story stands out for its raw honesty, selfless sacrifices, and unwavering loyalty. Long before Jackie Shroff became a Bollywood icon, he was just a young man living in a Mumbai chawl, hustling his way through life. And beside him, through the most humble of beginnings, stood Ayesha—who walked away from a life of bungalows and comfort to stand in line for a shared toilet, just to be with him.

In a recent interview, Jackie opened up about his difficult past, recalling how he and Ayesha lived in a one-room chawl after their marriage in 1987. At the time, his household expenses ran on just Rs 30. But Ayesha, the daughter of Air Vice Marshal Ranjan Dutt, never flinched. Despite her privileged upbringing, she adapted to the harsh realities of Jackie’s world, queuing for the washroom and embracing the modest life they built together.

Jackie reflected on how she supported him not just emotionally, but financially too. She even sold her own house to buy him one—an act of love and belief that left a lasting mark on the actor’s life. For Jackie, her sacrifices were never just about surviving hardship but about standing by someone she believed in, even before the world saw his worth.

Their love story began like a scene straight out of a film. Jackie was riding a borrowed bike, headed to a friend’s building to play pool when he spotted Ayesha inside a bus. Young and radiant, she was returning from a school march past, holding a flag and hanging onto a strap inside the vehicle. That fleeting moment was enough for Jackie to tell himself: this is the woman he would marry. When she got off the bus, he introduced himself. That meeting blossomed into a connection that only grew stronger. Soon after, her friend told Jackie that Ayesha believed he had the makings of an actor—and even encouraged him to audition for a film by filmmaker O.P. Ralhan.

Jackie Shroff’s recent work
Jackie Shroff has become a beloved face in Indian cinema. From his breakout role in Subhash Ghai’s Hero to recent appearances in ensemble films like Housefull 5, Jackie Shroff continues to win the hearts of the audience with his personality and charm. He will be next seen in Welcome to the Jungle.