Jaffrey, Saeed 1929– (Saeed Jaferey, Saeed Jafferi, Sayeee Jaffery, Sayed Jaffrey, Sayeed Jaffrey, Saeed Jafrey)

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Jaffrey, Saeed 1929- (Saeed Jaferey, Saeed Jafferi, Sayeee Jaffery, Sayed Jaffrey, Sayeed Jaffrey, Saeed Jafrey)

PERSONAL

Born January 8, 1929 in Maler Kotla, Punjab, India; son of Hamid Hussain (a physician) and Hadia Imam Jaffrey; married, wife's name Madhur (an actress and cookbook writer), 1957 (divorced, 1965); married Jennifer Irene Sorrell, September 20, 1980; children: (first marriage) Zia, Meera Shameem, Sakina (an actress). Education: Catholic University of America, graduated, 1957; University of Allahabad, M.A.; studied acting at Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, 1956, and with Lee Strasberg and Elia Kazan at the Actors' Studio. Avocational Interests: Snooker, cricket, languages, cartooning, cooking.

Career:

Actor and director. All India Radio, staff writer, director, record announcer, newscaster, and actor, 1951-56, public relations director, 1955-56; program manager, director, interviewer, and actor for India's first television station, 1955-56; United Nations Radio, record announcer, newscaster, and actor, 1958-60. Unity Theatre, New Delhi, India, founder, 1951, and member, 1951-56; Actors' Studio, New York City, member, beginning 1958; appeared in television and radio commercials and print advertisements. Government of India, director of publicity and advertising for tourist office in the United States, 1958-60. Also worked as advertising copywriter and as a cartoonist for New York Mirror and Delhi Times.

Member:

Actors' Equity Association, Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

Awards, Honors:

Fulbright fellow in the United States, 1956-57; citation for best travel advertisement, from the magazine British Advertising, 1960; Filmfare Award, best supporting actor, 1979, for Shatranj ke khiladi; Film Award nomination, best supporting actor, British Academy of Film and Television Arts, 1986, for My Beautiful Laundrette; Genie Award nomination, best actor, Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, 1991, for Masala; Norman Beaton Award for multi-cultural achievements; numerous "best actor" awards in India, for Ram teri ganga maili; other awards in India for Dil and Henna; decorated officer, Order of the British Empire.

CREDITS

Film Appearances:

Narrator, The Sword and the Flute, 1959.

Narrator, The Creation of Woman, 1960.

The pitch man, Stalked, 1968.

Murad, The Guru, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1969.

District chief, The Horsemen, Columbia, 1971.

Billy Fish, The Man Who Would Be King (also known as Rudyard Kipling's "The Man Who Would Be King"), Allied Artists, 1975.

Dr. Anil Mukerjee, The Wilby Conspiracy, United Artists, 1975.

Mir Roshan Ali, Shatranj ke khilari (also known as The Chess Players), Connoisseur, 1977, released in the United States by Creative Films, 1978.

Saeed, El baar phir (Once Again) (also known as Once Again), 1980.

Selim, Sphinx, Warner Bros., 1981.

Lalan Mian, Chashme buddoor (also known as Shield Against the Evil Eye and Touch Wood), 1981.

Sardar Valabhhai Patel, Gandhi (also known as Richard Attenborough's Film: Gandhi), Columbia, 1982.

Narrator, Pandit Nehru (documentary; also known as Jawaharlal Nehru), National Film Development Corporation, 1982.

Rana, Star, 1982.

Narrator, The Taj Mahal, 1982.

Major/Councillor Agarwal, Mandi (also known as Marketplace), 1983.

Suri, Masoom (also known as Innocent), 1983.

(As Saeed Jafferi) Lalaji, Kissi se na kehna, 1983.

Journalist/editor, Romance, 1983.

Ek din bahu ka, 1983.

Advocate Hamidullah, A Passage to India, Columbia, 1984.

Raaz, The Razor's Edge, Columbia, 1984.

Kishorilal, Mashaal (also known as The Torch), 1984.

Ram Kishen, Bhavna, 1984.

(As Sayeed Jaffrey) Phir aayee barsat, 1985.

Lala Dayaluram, Karishma kudrat kaa, 1985.

(As Saeed Jaffery) Shastri, Jaanoo, 1985.

Mr. D'Silva, Saagar, 1985.

(As Saeed Jaffry) Kunj Bihara, Ram teri ganga maili, 1985.

Nasser, My Beautiful Laundrette, Orion, 1986.

Judge, Qatl, 1986.

(As Sayeed Jaffrey) Pinto Ustad, Kala dhanda goray log, 1986.

Jakub Saeed, Jalwa, 1987.

Brij Bhushan Saxena, Khudgarz, 1987.

Beyond the Next Mountain (also known as Mas alla de la siguente montana), 1987.

Anand's chacha, Aulad, 1987.

Defense lawyer, Avam (also known as People), 1987.

Pere Provincial, Manika: Une vie plus tard (also known as Manika: The Girl Who Lived Twice), Twentieth Century-Fox, 1988.

Hussein, The Deceivers, Cinecom, 1988.

Mr. Patel, Just Ask for Diamond (also known as Diamond's Edge and The Falcon's Malteser), Twentieth Century-Fox, 1988.

Saeed, Partition, Jane Balfour Films, 1988.

Mr. Saxena, Khoon bhari maang, 1988.

Inder Sen Gujral, Vijay, 1988.

Aziz Bhai, Hero Hiralal, 1988.

(As Saeed Jaffery) Vishwannath, ChaalBaaz, 1989.

Police Commissionar Arun Kashyap, Ram lakhan, 1989.

Shakuntala's father, Aandhiyan (also known as Storms), 1989.

Masterji, Eeshwar, 1989.

Master Dinanath (Dinu), Hisaab khoon ka, 1989.

Mr. Mehra, Dil, 1990.

Jas, After Midnight, 1990.

Vidya Charan, Kishen kanhaiya, 1990.

(As Saeed Jafrey) Balwant Rai, Pathar ke insan, 1990.

Ramprasad Kumar, Ghar ho to aisa, 1990.

Shandaar, 1990.

Veerendra Pratap Rai, Naya khoon, 1990.

Lallu Bhai Solanki, Mr. Tikkoo, and Lord Krishna, Masala, Strand Releasing, 1991.

Henna's uncle, Henna, India Impact, 1991.

Yaara Dildara, 1991.

Rai Bahadur Diwan, Gunehgar kaun,1991.

(As Sayeed Jaffery) Amir Khan, Ajooba (also known as Chyornyj prints Adzhuba), 1991.

(As Sayed Jaffrey) Anand Berma, Afsana pyar ka, 1991.

(As Sayeed Jaffery) Khan Baba, Henna, 1991.

Seth Din Dayal, Indrajeet, 1991.

(As Saeed Jaferey) J. B., Suryavanshi, 1992.

Gujral, Nishchaiy (also known as Nishchay), 1992.

S. J., Anmol, 1993.

Colonel Choudhry, Ek hi raasta, 1993.

Balmaa, 1993.

Kedarnath, Aashiq Awara, 1993.

(As Sayeed Jaffery) Mr. Mathur, Aaina (also known as The Mirror), 1993.

15th August, 1993.

Bade Pa, Aulad ke dushman, 1993.

Dilwale, 1994.

Baali umar ko salaam, 1994.

Salaami, 1994.

Bhanupratap Saigal, Yeh dillagi (also known as The Game of Love), 1994.

Bollywood, 1994.

R. K. Jetley, Prem, 1995.

Ramakant Sahay, Kartavya, 1995.

Bhanu, Trimurti, 1995.

Police commissioner, Jai vikraanta, 1995.

Vartmaan (also known as Live Today), 1995.

Sauda, 1995.

Naval officer, Param vir chakra, 1995.

Ranvir Singh, Saajan ki baahon mein, 1995.

Qawwali Singer, Guddu, 1995.

Pooja's dad, Veergati, 1995.

Sanghvi, Angrakshak (also known as Bodyguard), 1995.

Lawyer Madadgar, English babu desi mem, 1996.

Roshanlalji, Jaan, 1996.

(As Saeed Jafrey) Vicky's father, Bambai ka babu, 1996.

(Uncredited) Jaikishan, Megha, 1996.

Lulu, Alliance, 1996.

Madanlal Kapoor, Mohabbat (also known as Love), 1997.

Viren Verma, Uff! Yeh mohabbat, 1997.

Raja ki ayegi barrat, 1997.

Mr. Sahni, Judaai, 1997.

Dharamdas, Naseeb, 1997.

Ashok, The Journey, 1997.

Chander Nandkishore/Kapoor Sharma, Deewana mastana, 1997.

Police commissioner, Mahaanta, 1997.

Ek phool teen kante, 1997.

S. P. Kulkami, Gambler, 1997.

(As Sayeed Jaffrey) Mr. Sahay, Udaan, 1997.

Colonel Sadanand Dhongre, Aunty No. 1, 1998.

(As Saeed Jaffery) Komal's father, Jab pyaar kisise hota hai, 1998.

Yashpal Nanda, Achanak, 1998.

Mr. Walia, Guru in Seven, Ratpack Films, 1998.

Raj, Being Considered, Redbus Film Distribution, 2000.

Saeed, Second Generation, Second Generation Films, 2000.

Jadav Rana, On Wings of Fire, Perspolis Productions, 2001.

Sonia's father, Albela, Tips Cassettes & Records, 2001.

Mr. Basmati, Mr. In-Between (also known as The Killing Kind), Lions Gate Films Home Entertainment, 2001.

Mr. Shah, Pyaar ki dhun (also known as The Song of Love), Video Sound, 2002.

Albert Page, Day of the Sirens, Boudicca Films, 2002.

Ibrahim, Snapshots, First Look International/A-Film Distribution, 2002.

Prophet, Mad Dogs, Brainstorm Media/Gold & Sons, 2002.

Subhash, Cross My Heart, FilmFour, 2003.

Kaun hai jo sapno mein aaya? (also known as Who Is in My Dream?), Inspired Movies/Spice Team Entertainment, 2004.

C. P. Chopra, Chicken Tikka Masala, Film Inc., 2005.

Zoltan, Zoltan the Great (short film), Pulse Entertainment, 2005.

Himself, Bhavishya: The Future, Dishak Films, 2006.

Mr. Farook, Bunker Hill, Ninth Street Studios, 2007.

Film Work:

Provided Urdu dialogue, Heat and Dust, 1982.

Stage Appearances:

Poet, The Eagle Has Two Heads, Unity Theatre, New Delhi, India, 1954.

Father, Blood Wedding, Actors Playhouse, New York City, 1958.

Twelfth Night, Equity Library Theatre, New York City, 1960.

King of the Dark Chamber, Jan Hus House, New York City, 1961.

India: A Dancer's Pilgrimage, Kaufman Concert Hall, New York City, 1961.

Professor Godbole, A Passage to India, Ambassador Theatre, New York City, 1962.

Merchant, "From India: A Prologue" and haiku reader, "From Japan: Kendo," in A Tenth of an Inch Makes the Difference, East End Theatre, New York City, 1962.

Chief Kim Bong Choy, Nathan Weinstein, Mystic, Connecticut, Brooks Atkinson Theatre, New York City,1966.

Osman, Captain Brassbound's Conversion, Cambridge Theatre, London, 1971.

Also appeared in Othello, The Firstborn, A Phoenix Too Frequent, Under Milk Wood, Auto-Da-Fe, The Importance of Being Earnest, The Cocktail Party, and Le bourgeois gentilhomme, all Unity Theatre, all between 1951 and 1956; Rashomon, The Little World of Don Camillo, Bus Stop, Rain, A Thurber Carnival, Witness for the Prosecution, Teahouse of the August Moon, and The Little Hut, all summer theatre productions, all between 1958 and 1964; The Harmfulness of Tobacco, New York Public Library, New York City; as Brahma, Kindly Monkeys, Arts Theatre, London; the Kralahome, The King and I (musical), Palladium, London; as Oberon, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Theatre in Regent's Park, London; in The Mother Country, Riverside Theatre, London; Colonel Pickering, My Fair Lady (musical), Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, England; My Giddy Aunt, Churchill Theatre, Bromley, England; Nights, Actors' Studio, New York City; On a Foggy Day, St. Martin's Theatre, London; The Physician in Spite of Himself, Theatre-in-the-Street Group, New York City; The Private Life of the Master Race, New York Public Library; Tagore Suite, Jacob's Pillow, 92nd Street Y, Cooper Union, New York City; A Touch of Brightness, Royal Court Theatre, London; Ibrahim, White Chameleon, Royal National Theatre, London.

Major Tours:

Friar Lawrence, Romeo and Juliet, Players Inc. Repertory Company, U.S. cities, 1957-58.

Gremio, The Taming of the Shrew, Players Inc. Repertory Company, U.S. cities, 1957-58.

Member of ensemble, Brecht on Brecht (revue), American National Theatre and Academy, U.S. cities, 1963.

Stage Work:

Director of King of the Dark Chamber and Under Milk Wood, both Unity Theatre, New Dehli, India.

Television Appearances; Series:

Aslam Rafiq, a recurring role, Gangsters, 1976-78.

Mr. Prabakar, Common as Muck, BBC, 1994.

Ravi Desai, Coronation Street (also known as Corrie), ITV, 1999.

Appeared as Jimmy Sharma, Tandoori Nights, Channel 4; and in The Village by the Sea.

Television Appearances; Miniseries:

The Sun Rises in the East (also known as Le soleil se leve a l'est), 1974.

Rafiq, "Gangsters," Play for Today, BBC, 1975.

Biju Ram, The Far Pavilions (also known as Blade of Steel), HBO, 1984.

The Nawab of Mirat, The Jewel in the Crown, Granada, then on Masterpiece Theatre, PBS, 1984.

Tamas (also known as Darkness), 1986.

Musquat Singh, A Killing on the Exchange, Anglia, 1987.

Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Kurtulus, 1994.

Vijay Shah, Little Napoleons, Channel 4, 1994.

Television Appearances; Movies:

Sri Narain, Hullabaloo over Georgie and Bonnie's Pictures, 1978.

Gurjeet Singh Khera, "Destiny," Play for Today, BBC, 1978.

Merchant, "The After-Dinner Joke," Play for Today, BBC, 1978.

Taj, The Last Giraffe, CBS, 1979.

Grandpa Leicester, Grandpa Chatterjee, Channel 4, 1997.

Television Appearances; Specials:

Mr. Hamidullah, "A Passage to India," Play of the Month, BBC, 1965.

Frank Bhoolabhoy, Staying On, Granada, then Great Performances, PBS, 1981.

Actor, The Courtesans of Bombay, 1983.

Reader, Essential Poems for Christmas, BBC, 2004.

Television Appearances;Episodic:

Dr. Bettley, "Play It Hot, Play It Cool: Part 2," Z Cars, 1967.

Right Honorable Mohammed Khan, "There's Always a Next Time," The Troubleshooters (also known as Mogul), 1967.

Sunil Seth, "Never the Twain," The Troubleshooters (also known as Mogul), 1968.

Anton Salgado, "It's a Very Bad Day for Travelling," The Troubleshooters (also known as Mogul), 1969.

Ameen, "Epidemic: A Most Curious Crime," Strange Report, 1969.

Dr. Megali, "The Worst Soldier I Ever Saw," Callan, 1969.

Abbas, Adam Smith, 1972.

President's aide, "… With a Little Help From My Friends," The Protectors, 1973.

Punkah-Wallah, "Heat," The Regiment, 1973.

Doctor, "The Patient," Two's Company, 1975.

Mukherjee, "The Bengal Tiger," Minder, 1979.

Dr. Kunzru, "Poison," Tales of the Unexpected (also known as Roald Dahl's "Tales of the Unexpected"), 1980.

Naryan Bose, "A Dear Green Place," Strangers, 1981.

Dr. Ghulam Rahmat, "Rumpole and the Quacks," Rumpole of the Bailey, PBS, 1991.

Voice, "The Journey Back," The Canterbury Tales, HBO, 2000.

Maggie's father, "Family Values," Perfect World, BBC, 2001.

Akram Malik, "Deception on His Mind," The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, PBS, 2003.

Vikas Vidyarthi, "In the Line of Fire," Holby City (also known as Holby), BBC, 2004.

Raju Gupta, "Listen to Me," Doctors, BBC, 2004.

Appeared in episodes of Armstrong Circle Theatre, Camera Three, CBS Workshop, The Defenders, The Jack Benny Show, and The Nurses, all CBS; and File Seven.

Television Appearances; Other:

John Gilbert Louis, Akanksha, 1989.

Ram, Le prix d'une femme (also known as Des heros ordinaires: Le prix d'une femme), 1993.

Father, Two Oranges and a Mango, BBC2, 1994.

Harry, Sometime, Never (pilot), 1995.

Also appeared in Hard Cases, Central; The Lion of the Punjab; and Love Match, BBC2.

Radio Appearances:

Reflections of India (series), WQXR (New York City), 1961-62.

All Indian roles, The Pump (special), BBC, 1973.

The old man on the pole, Quandary and Quintessential Phases of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, BBC4, 2005.

Other performances include narrator and dozens of voices in multiple episodes of the series A Suitable Boy, BBC World Service; also performed as the rajah, In the Native State, BBC3; nine roles, The Pump, BBC4; narrator and nearly fifty roles, Silver Castle; and thirty-nine roles, Village by the Sea, BBC.

Radio Producer; Series:

Reflections of India, WQXR (New York City), 1961-62.

RECORDINGS

Albums:

The Art of Love: A Reworking with Music of the Kama Sutra, 1992.

Performed readings of Asian poems for the album Adventures in Appreciation.

WRITINGS

Radio Series:

Reflections of India, WQXR (New York City), 1961-62.

Books:

Saeed—An Actor's Journey (autobiography), Constable, 1998.

About this article

Jaffrey, Saeed 1929– (Saeed Jaferey, Saeed Jafferi, Sayeee Jaffery, Sayed Jaffrey, Sayeed Jaffrey, Saeed Jafrey)

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