Jeetendra

Ravi Kapoor

Born on:

 April 7, 1942

Born in:

Amritsar, Punjab

Height:

 6'0"

Wife:

Shobha Kapoor

Jeetendra conjures up images in of his trademark white shoes. This “Jumping Jack” moved from an actor to the head of one of the most influential production houses.

Early Life

Jeetendra was born as ‘Ravi Kapoor’ on 7^th April 1942, in Amritsar, Punjab. He took birth into a business family that dealt in imitation jewelry. He was a science student who loved to roam around the back roads of Girgaum (in South Mumbai), along with his pals. He also used to visit film studios occasionally, mainly for the purpose of supplying imitation jewelry. It was on one of these visits that he was discovered by filmmaker V Shantaram, who gave him the chance to play Sandhya's double in Navrang (1959) and Sehra (1963).

Personal Life

Shobha was only 14 when she met Jeetendra (that time Ravi Kapoor). By the time she turned 16, he had been rechristened as ‘Jeetendra’ and both of them were going steady. After much problem and obstacles, the couple got married on 31^st October 1974, at Janki Kutir, in the presence of their immediate family and friends. Shobha first gave birth to a daughter, Ekta, and subsequently to a son, Tusshar. Today, Ektaa Kapoor runs the successful production house ‘Balaji Telefilms’ and Tusshar is a budding actor.

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 Sehra in 1963 & then in Geet Gaya Pattharon Ne (1964). Since then, he has appeared in almost 200 films.[citation needed] Jeetendra came into the spotlight in 1967 with Ravikant Nagaich's Farz.

In the 1980s, Jitendra was frequently paired up with Sridevi or Jayapradha for remakes of South Indian films by Rama Rao Tatineni, K. Bapayya and K. Raghavendra Rao; included Justice Chaudhry (1982), Mawaali (1983), Himmatwala (1983), Jaani Dushman, and Tohfa (1984).

He appeared in the TV serial Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi in the role of an old man. He was a judge of Jhalak Dikhla Jaa, an Indian dance competition on Sony Entertainment Television. He was also a judge along with Hema Malini of a dancing competition called "Dancing Queen".

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

2000 – Lifetime Achievement Award in film 

              personalities

2002 – Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award

2002 – Lifetime Achievement Award at the Zee Gold

              Bollywood Movie Awards in New York.

2004 – "Legend of Indian Cinema" Award at Atlantic 

             City (United States).

2005 – Star Screen Lifetime Achievement Award

2008 – Sansui Television Lifetime Achievement Award