Saeed Jaffrey, Actor
Actor

Saeed Jaffrey

Born 8 January 1929 · Haryana — Died 14 November 2015

Starred in the film My Beautiful Laundrette, a landmark British-Asian cinema of the 1980s.

Saeed Jaffrey was a British-Indian actor. His career covered film, radio, stage and television roles over six decades and more than 150 British, American, and Indian movies. During the 1980s and 1990s, he was considered to be Britain's highest-profile Asian actor, thanks to his leading roles in the film My Beautiful Laundrette (1985) and television series The Jewel in the Crown (1984), Tandoori Nights (1985–1987) and Little Napoleons (1994). He played an instrumental part in bringing together filmmakers James Ivory and Ismail Merchant, and acted in several of their Merchant Ivory Productions films such as The Guru (1969), Hullabaloo Over Georgie and Bonnie's Pictures (1978), The Courtesans of Bombay (1983) and The Deceivers (1988).

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A detail that
surprised us

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Saeed Jaffrey’s spoken word rendition of the Kama Sutra was listed by Time magazine as one of the five best ever recorded.

The Story

1
In 1956, Saeed Jaffrey completed his studies at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, setting the stage for a career that would span over six decades and cross continents.
2
🌍 Between 1951 and 1956, he founded and performed with the Unity Theatre in New Delhi, bringing Shakespeare and Tennessee Williams to Indian audiences in English for the first time.
3In 1977, he earned the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for his role in Satyajit Ray's Shatranj Ke Khilari, marking his impactful entry into Indian cinema.
4🎭 His role as Nasser Ali in the 1985 British film My Beautiful Laundrette made him one of the highest-profile Asian actors in Britain during the 1980s and 1990s.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Padma Shri

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 1957, Jaffrey toured the United States performing Shakespearean plays with his own English theatre company, a pioneering effort for an Indian actor at the time.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Born in Malerkotla, Punjab
Saeed Jaffrey was born into a Punjabi Muslim family in Malerkotla, Punjab Province of British India, with his maternal grandfather serving as Dewan of Malerkotla State.
1929
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Career
Founded Unity Theatre in New Delhi
Jaffrey established the Unity Theatre, performing English-language plays including Shakespeare and Tennessee Williams, pioneering English theatre in India.
1951
📚
Education
Graduated Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Completed formal drama training in London, launching his international acting career.
1956
🏅
Award
Won Filmfare Award for Shatranj Ke Khilari
Awarded Best Supporting Actor for his role in Satyajit Ray's film, marking his acclaimed entry into Indian cinema.
1977
⚡
Career
Portrayed Vallabhbhai Patel in Gandhi
Appeared in Richard Attenborough’s biopic as a key leader in India’s independence movement.
1982
⚡
Career
Starred in My Beautiful Laundrette
Played businessman Nasser Ali, becoming Britain's highest-profile Asian actor in the 1980s.
1985
🏅
Award
Awarded OBE
Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to drama, first Asian actor honored thus.
1995
🕊️
Death
Passed away in London
Died from a brain hemorrhage, leaving behind a legacy in British and Indian cinema.
2015
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🗝️Discoveries

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01 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

He won the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award in 1978 for Shatranj Ke Khilari, directed by Satyajit Ray, marking his breakthrough in Indian cinema.

02 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Saeed Jaffrey was the first Asian to be nominated for both British and Canadian film awards, highlighting his cross-continental influence.

03 / 05
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

He played Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Richard Attenborough’s 1982 film Gandhi, portraying a key figure in India's independence movement on the global stage.

No quote recorded for Saeed Jaffrey yet.

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Saeed Jaffrey releases his autobiography 'Saeed: An Actor's Journey'
·YouTube
More from this archive
Saeed Jaffrey releases his autobiography 'Saeed: An Actor's Journey'
01
Saeed Jaffrey releases his autobiography 'Saeed: An Actor's Journey'
YouTube
Saeed Jaffrey | Interview | Growing up in India | Open house with Gloria Hunniford | 1999
02
Saeed Jaffrey | Interview | Growing up in India | Open house with Gloria Hunniford | 1999
YouTube
This Is How Saeed Jaffrey Got Iconic Shatranj Ke Khilari | Lehren Diaries
03
This Is How Saeed Jaffrey Got Iconic Shatranj Ke Khilari | Lehren Diaries
YouTube
SAEED JAFFREY
04
SAEED JAFFREY
YouTube
Saeed Jaffrey - Biography in Hindi | सईद जाफरी की जीवनी | Life Story
05
Saeed Jaffrey - Biography in Hindi | सईद जाफरी की जीवनी | Life Story
YouTube
Saeed Jaffrey | Gandhi Reunited | BAFTA
06
Saeed Jaffrey | Gandhi Reunited | BAFTA
YouTube
Saeed Jaffrey Mumbai 1990
07
Saeed Jaffrey Mumbai 1990
YouTube
Saeed Jaffrey - Festival Dailies: Day 6
08
Saeed Jaffrey - Festival Dailies: Day 6
YouTube
Saeed Jaffrey's radio interview - excerpt
09
Saeed Jaffrey's radio interview - excerpt
YouTube
Saeed Jaffrey Birth Anniversary: Interesting Facts About The Late Actor
10
Saeed Jaffrey Birth Anniversary: Interesting Facts About The Late Actor
YouTube

🌱 What changed because of them

Saeed Jaffrey’s work bridged Indian and Western film industries, creating pathways for South Asian actors in British and American cinema. His involvement with Merchant Ivory Productions helped bring nuanced Indian stories to international audiences. His OBE appointment in 1995 marked a notable recognition of Asian artists in British arts institutions.

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