Jeetendra

s father by visiting film studios and supplying imitation jewelry. It was during such visits Jeetendra got dazzled by the spectacular world of Cinema and decided to make a career in films.

1960

Jeetendra started his career as an ‘Extra' with V.Shantaram Films

While visiting film studious Jeetendra was charmed by the glamour and glitz of Bollywood and insisted his father allow him to make a career in films. Jeetendra's father Amarnath Kapoor knew filmmaker V.Shantaram hence he requested V.Shantaram to give his son a job in his Home Production Rajkamal Kalamandir. V. Shantaram nodded and called him to do an extra role in the song, 'Tu Chhupi Hai Kahan' in Shantaram's film Navrang (1959). However, Jeetendra ruined his opportunity as he reached the shooting late. An angry Shantaram fired him. Humiliated, the next day Jeetendra got up early at 5 a.m. and got ready with make-up by 7 a.m. Shantaram forgave him and gave him another chance. This time he asked Jeetendra to do an action scene as ‘Body Double' for the heroine actress Sandhya in the film Sehra (1963).

Impressed by Jeetendra's discipline and dedication Shantaram introduced Jeetendra as hero opposite his daughter Rajshree in the film Geet Gaya Pattharon Ne (1964). The film was a big flop.

With Farz Jeetendra earned the title of Jumping Jack

From 1964 to 1967, Jeetendra struggled tooth and nail for three years with no film producer giving him any roles. Eventually, South Indian film director Ravikant Nagaich gave him a suspense thriller Farz (1967). Inspired by the Hollywood James Bond thriller, Farz was a box-office hit. Besides action and suspense, the highlight of the film was the movie's super hit songs. The song Mast Baharon Ka Main Aashiq…. became a national craze and the sizzling dance of Jeetendra earned him the title of Jumping Jack!!

After the success of Farz, Jeetendra started getting second-lead roles

Following the success of Farz, filmmakers dared to cast Jeetendta as the second lead hero opposite top heroes like Mere Huzoor(1968) opposite Raaj Kumar; Dharti Kahe Pukarke, (1969) opposite Sanjeev Kumar; Do Bhai (1969) opposite Ashok Kumar 

1970

South Indian Filmmakers Boosted Jeetendra's Career 

Though Jeetendra had proved his genius as a successful film actor still Bollywood filmmakers had no faith in his ability to draw crowds at the box office. Jeetendra was disappointed. He started visiting South Indian film studios and to his fortune, South Film legend L.V.Prasad signed him for his film Jeene Ki Raah (1969). The was such a huge hit the jodi of Jeetendra and L.V. Prasad became permanent and the duo gave a series of hit films like Khilona (1970), and Bidaai 1974. Udhar Ka Sindur (1976) and Jay Vijay (1977).

After L.V. Prasad, Jeetendra worked with many top South filmmakers who boosted his career to great heights in the '70s. Film producer Doondi' Jigri Dost (1969), Vasu Menon's Waris (1969), C.V. Sridhar's Gehri Chaal (1973), AMV's Jaise Ko Taisa (1973), etc.

Bollywood opened its arms to Jeetendra after the success of Caravan

Filmmaker Nasir Hussain, uncle of Aamir Khan gave Jeetendra a super hit film Caravan (1971). The highlight of the film was the super hit music by R.D. Burman. All the songs of the film were huge hits like Chadti Jawani Meri Chaal Mastani… Goria Kahan Tera Desh…. Kitna Pyara Wada Hai…and the Helen cabaret song "Piya Tu Ab To Aaja…. The movie celebrated Golden Jubilee at the box office and made Jeetendra a Hot Star in Bollywood!! What followed was a chain of successful films like Nagin (1976), Dharam Veer (1977), Apnapan (1977), Badalte Rishtey (1978), Swarg Narak' (1978), Jaani Dushman (1979), etc.

1980

In the 80's Jeetendra was the only Star to give Solo Hero Hit Films

In the '80s the trend of Multi-stars and action films became a craze in Bollywood but Jeetendra stuck to the family drama genre of his trusted south remake films. Interestingly, while his top contemporary stars like Shatrughan Sinha, Rishi Kapoor, Dharmendra, Vinod Khanna, etc. struggled to survive, Jeetendra was the only actor who survived giving ‘Solo Hero' Hit Films like Aasha, Judaai, Pyaasa Sawan, Maang Bharo Sajna and Ek Hi Bhool, Arpan, Meri Awaaz Suno etc.

Simultaneously, Jeetendra did Multi-star films too like The Burning Train, Badle Ki Aag, Takkar, Dharam Kanta,  Karmayogi, Jaani Dost, and Samrat, but most of these films were failures at the box office.

Jeetendra was ruined after the disastrous failure of Deedar-E-Yaar

Jeetendra took film production in the early '70s when Bollywood had no great roles for him and had discarded Jeetendra as a wooden actor. Hence to prove himself as a good actor Jeetendra produced his first film Humjoli (1970) starring Leena Chandavarkar and Mehmood. It may be noted Jeetendra Produced film under his brother Prashant Kapoor's banner. He made many hit films like Parichay, Khushboo, Pyaasa Sawan and Jyoti Bane Jwala.

However, in 1982 Jeetendra produced his career's magnum opus film Deedar-E-Yaar. The film was a multi-starrer starring Jeetendra, Rishi Kapoor, Rekha, and Tina Munim. It was a remake of 60's Muslim Social Drama Mere Mehboob. Interestingly the film was directed by the same film director H. S. Rawail who had directed Mere Mehboob but alas despite huge publicity the film was a box-office debacle and ruined Jeetendra!

Jeetendra rose from the ashes like a phoenix

Shattered by the disastrous failure of Deedar-E-Yaar, Jeetendra went into oblivion for 2-3 years. He was in severe debt and a financial mess but salute to Jeetendra, he did bog down but instead returned with a bang with a thunderous success of Himmatwala (1983). Dancing to the tunes of Nainon Mein Sapna…. Taki O Taki… Jeetendra made the audience go crazy. Further with a string of South Remakes like Maqsad, Tohfa, Mawaali Justice Chowdhary, etc. Jeetendra was able to pay back all his debts.

1990 to 2013

After Rakesh Roshan's Khudgarz Jeetendra experimented with good roles 

The success of Khudgarz gave a huge impetus to Jeetendra's career and he did many films till 2013. However, a majority of his films were flops. Nevertheless, Jeetendra kept working and did some different films where he got an opportunity to expose his acting potential but alas none of the films was a success like New Delhi(1988); Santana, (1993), Udhaar Ki Zindagi (1994) and Chupp (1997). Incidentally, all these films were remakes of South hit films but failed in Bollywood despite good content and good performance by Jeetendra.

2019

Jeetendra has quit acting but he is The Chairman of Balaji Tele Films - The Corporate Film Production is a public company listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange of India and has produced several hit TV serials and Bollywood films.