Jeetendra

Infobox_Celebrity
name = Jeetendra

---

birth_date = birth date and age|1942|4|7|mf=y
birth_place = Amritsar, Punjab.
death_date=
death_place=
occupation = Actor, Bollywood
salary =
networth =
website =

Jeetendra (born April 7, 1942) is a popular Indian actor.

Early life

Jeetendra was born Ravi Kapoor in Amritsar, Punjab in 1942 to a Punjabi family. Ravi Kapoor was born in a business family that dealt with imitation jewelery. While supplying jewelery to V. Shantaram, he was cast as Sandhya's double in the 1959 movie 'Navrang'.Ravi had met his present wife, Shobha, when she was only 14. [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0420090/bio] She completed school, went to college, and was employed as an Air Hostess with British Airways.It was a childhood love which got converted into mairage that is still intact . It was not until the release of 'Bidaai" (opposite Leena Chandavarkar) on October 18, 1974, that Jeetendra and Shobha decided to get married, which they did in a simple ceremony on at Janki Kutir with only a few family and friends present like Gulzar, and Sanjeev Kumar amongst the noted celebrities . The marriage was arranged hastily, as even Shobha's mom, who was in Japan at that time, could not attend. [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0420090/bio]

Career

He started in Bollywood in the late 1950s when filmmaker V. Shantaram gave him a chance as actress Sandhya's double in "Navrang" (1959), but got his first big break when Shantaram cast him as hero in "Geet Gaya Pattharon Ne" (1964). Since then, he has appeared in almost 200 films.

Jitendra came into the spotlight in 1967 with Ravikant Nagaich's "Farz", which went on to become a golden jubilee success. The tee shirt and white shoes he picked up from a retail store for the "Mast Baharon Ka Main Aashiq" number in Farz (sung by Mohammed Rafi) became his trademark. His vigorous dancing in films like Farz, " Mere Huzoor", " Warris", "Humjoli" (1970), "Khatputli" , Jigri Dost, Jawab, Himaat, "Caravan" (1971) and Banphool won him the epithet of the "Jumping Jack". His films consistently achieved commercial success, even though the critics panned a lot of them. Jeetendra was a non actor who knew the market pulse well.

Jitender had to face tough competition in seventies where his contemprories were greats like Sanjeev Kumar, Dharmendra, Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor. But still he managed to get good films with good star cast and storylines. He along with Devanand and Dharmendra are the only actors who could act for more than three decades completely as successful main lead heroes romancing actresses of different eras. He was often paired with southern beauties like Hema Malini, Rekha, Sridevi and Jaya Pradha. Most of his hit songs from the period 1971-1987 are sung by Kishore Kumar only. As an artist he derived atmost satisfaction by playing characters in Gulzar's films like Parichay, Kinara and Khusboo

From the 70s till 1980 his classic movies were Shaadi Ke Baad, Ek Bechara, Jaise Ko Taisa, Bhai ho To Aisa, Parichay, Anokhi Ada, Gehri Chaal, Dulhaan, Bidaai, Khushboo, Santaan, Udhar ka Sindoor, Kinara, Dildaar, Ek hi Raasta, Apnapan, Dharam Veer, Swarg Narak, Jay Vijay, Tumhari Kasam, Badalthey Rishte, Lok Parlok, Khanndaan, Hum tere Ashiq Hain, Takkar, Nishaan, Maang Bharo Sajna, Asha, The Burning Train, and Judaai.

In the 1980s, Jitendra was frequently paired up with Sridevi or Jayapradha for remakes of South Indian potboilers courtesy of Rama Rao Tatineni, K. Bapayya and K. Raghavendra Rao; some of these films were produced by Padmalaya Productions. Featuring elaborate sequences with colorful clay pots, dozens of extras, electronic music by Bappi Lahiri, and lyrics by Indeewar , movies like "Justice Chaudhry" (1982), "Mawaali" (1983), "Himmatwala" (1983), Jaani Dost, and "Tohfa" (1984) were huge hits despite low critical acclaim. His other successes in the 80s were Jal Mahal, Samraat, Apna Bana Lo, Locket, Ghar Sansaar, Dosti Dushmani, Khudgarz, Aulaad, Jaan Hatheli Pe, Sone Pe Suhaaga, Aag Se Khelenge and Amiri Garibi. In the 90s he had hits like Thanedaar, Aasoo Bana Angarey, Aadmi Khilona Hain, Khalnayika and Lav Kush (1997) having him in the lead.

Right from Waris, Humjoli directed by Rammana, then Jeene ki Raah by L V Prasad, followed by Gehri Chaal by C V Sridhar and Jaise ko Taisa by Kumaran Murugan he till the late eighties remained the favourites of all South directors and producers venturing out to make movies in Hindi. With Bappaiah he had a number of hits like Dildaar, Takkar, Mawaali, Ghar Sansaar and Sone Pe Suhaaga and another six blockbusters with T. Rama Rao.

He recently made an appearance in a popular TV serial "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi" as an old man. He was a judge of Jhalak Dikhla Jaa, an Indian dance competition on Sony Entertainment Television.

Personal life

Born in Punjab, Jeetendra spent his childhood in Girgaum, Mumbai. He used to live in Ramachandra Building in a middle class locality. He still cherishes his memories there and visits the place during Ganapati festival every year.Jeetendra is married to Shobha Kapoor, and has a son who is also an actor, Tusshar Kapoor and a daughter, Ekta Kapoor, who runs Balaji Telefilms. They make popular TV serials in Hindi, Tamil, and other languages. They have also produced five Bollywood films, two of which have Tusshar in the leading role.Jeetendra made a brief appearance in one of his daughter's produced films "Kucch To Hai" (2002) where he appeared alongside his son Tusshar.

Awards, honours and recognitions

Jeetendra never won an award, except for Lifetime Achievement Awards because of the tough competition in Bollywood during his era.

* 1998 - Guest of Honour Award at the 18th Ujala Cinema Express Awards [http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19980824/23650774.html]
* 2000 - Lifetime Achievement Award in film personalities [http://www.hinduonnet.com/2000/09/11/stories/02110003.htm]
* 2002 - Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award
* 2002 - Lifetime Achievement Award at the Zee Gold Bollywood Movie Awards in New York. [http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/may/06news.htm]
* 2004 - "Legend of Indian Cinema" Award at Atlantic City (United States). [http://movies.indiainfo.com/newsbytes/devanand_112204.html]
* 2007 - Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Award [http://movies.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1965717.cms]
* 2008 - Sansui Television Lifetime Achievement Award [http://www.radiosargam.com/films/archives/11554/winners-of-sansui-awards-2008.html]

Selected filmography

Jeetendra filmography

* "Navrang" (1959)
* "Geet Gaya Pattharon Ne" (1964) ... Vijay
* "Farz" (1967) ... Gopal
* "Suhaag raat (1968 film)"
* "Jigri Dost" (1969) ... Gopi/Advocate Anand(double role)
* "Mere hazoor" " [1969] ".... Akhtar
* "Jeene Ki Raah" (1969)
* "Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke" (1969)
* "Humjoli" (1970) ... Rajesh
* "Khilona" (1970) ... Mohan Singh
* "Caravan" (1971) ... Mohan
* "Parichay" (1972) ... Ravi
* "Bidaai" (1974) ... Sudhakar
* "Khushboo" (1975) ... Brindaban
* "Nagin" (1976) ... Nag
* "Dharam Veer" (1977) ... Veer
* "Badalte Rishtey" (1978) ... Sagar
* "Swarg Narak" (1978) ... Mohan
* "Jaani Dushman" (1979) ... Amar
* "The Burning Train" (1980) ... Thief
* "Justice Chaudhry" (1982) ... Justice RK Chaudhary
* "Mawaali" (1983) ... Ramesh/Gangu(double role)
* "Himmatwala" (1983) ... Ravi
* "Tohfa" (1984) ... Ramu
* "Dosti Dushmani" (1986) ... Uncredited
* "Tamacha" (1988) ... Rajiv
*"Zahreelay"(1990) ... Retired Army Officer
* "Dil Aashna Hai" (1992) ... Prince Arjun
* "Maa" (1992)
* "Zamana Deewana" (1995) ... Madanlal Malhotra
* "Dushman Duniya Ka" (1996) ... Mahesh
* "Mother" (1999) ...
* "Kucch To Hai" (2003) .... Karan's father
* "Om Shanti Om" (2007)....Special Appearance

External links

*imdb name|id=0420090|title=Jeetendra

he isabad actor