Trivia

He is the only Indian actor to have appeared as a hero in nearly 200 films, repeatedly costarring with the biggest heroines of his time: Rekha, Hema Malini, Reena Roy, Sridevi, and Jaya Prada.

He got his first major break when film-maker Shantaram cast him as the hero in Geet Gaaya Pattharon Ne (1965). The actor jumped into the spotlight with Farz (1967), and his vigorous dancing in subsequent films like Caravan (1971) and Humjoli (1970) won him the epithet "Jumping Jack".

Jeetendra regards Rajaram Vankudre Shantaram, Ramanna and L.V.Prasad as his mentors in the film industry.

His career's first blockbuster, without being a remake of a Tamil Film, was Caravan in 1970.

Bappi Lahiri composed for films starring Jeetendra beginning from Himmatwala. Together Bappi and Jeetendra did 20 films between 1983 to 1988. Of these 20, 16 were silver jubilee hits and 4 were flops. Initially they had 4 consecutive hits - Himmatwala(1983) ,Jaani Dost(1983) ,Justice Chaudhary(1983), Mawaali(1983), Qaidi(1984). Their next film Kaamyaab(1984) was a flop. Then again they had 4 hits like Tohfa(1984), Maqsad(1984), Haisiyat(1984), Mere Saathi(1985). Their next film Haqeeqat(1985), an action film was a flop.Their next ventures Paatal Bhairavi(1985),Hoshiyar(1985) and Dharam Adhikari(1986) became hits. But next film Lokcet(1986) was a flop.Then again they had 3 consecutive hits - Suhagan(1986), Singhasan(1986), Majaal(1987). Their next film Himmat Aur Mehnat(1987) was a flop. Their last hit came with Tamacha in 1988. The only other music director-actor combination to have a much better track record are Rajesh Khanna-R.D.Burman and Rajesh Khanna-Lakshmikant Pyarelal.

Rajshree Shantaram was paired opposite Jeetendra in 3 films - Geet Gaaya Pattharonne, Suhaag Raat, Gunahon Ka Devta and except for Gunahon Ka Devta the other two were box office hits.

K B S Productions "Kasam Insaaf Ki"(1995) Starring Jeetendra, Madhavi, Mohnish Bahl,Mangal Dhillon,Music by Raam Laxman,Directed by Kumar Bhushan.

Father of actor Tusshar Kapoor and Ekta Kapoor, the head of Balaji Telefilms, India's number one television production house.

Jeetendra and Jaya Prada were romantically paired opposite each other in 24 films and 18 of them were box office hits and 6 were flops.They also worked in two more hit films - Sindoor where Shashi Kapoor was paired opposite Jaya Prada and Jeetendra was supporting actor and in Hoshiyar(1985) - Jaya Prada was paired with Shatrughan Sinha and Jeetendra with Meenakshi Seshadhari. The 18 box office hits of Jeetendra-Jaya Prada were Lok Parlok(1979),Takkar(1980), Mawaali(1983),Tohfa(1984),Maqsad(1984),Haisiyat(1984), Mere Saathi(1985), Pataal Bhairavi (1985), Sanjog (1985), Singhasan (1986), Swarag Se Sunder (1986), Aulad (1987), Majaal (1987), Souten Ki Beti (1989), Nyay Anyay (1990), Thanedaar (1990), Khal-Naaikaa (1993), Lav Kush (1997) and 6 flops were Haqeeqat (1985), Majboor (1989), Sapnon Ka Mandir (1991) , Maa (1992), Chauraha (1994), Paappi Devataa (1995).

Jeetendra-Rekha were romantically paired in 26 films and had 16 hits of the 26 films as lead pair starting from 1972-1998 and only 10 flops. But they have worked together in 31 films. Films like Dil Aur Deewar, Palkon Ki Chaon Mein, Jyothi Bane Jwala, Khoon Aur Paani, Jaal had them not as the lead romantic pair. The pair's hit films include Anokhi Ada, Santan(1976), Karmayogi , Dildaar, Ek Hi Raasta, Neeyat, Judaai, Jal Mahal, Ek Hi Bhool, Mehndi Rang Layegi, Nishaan, Prem Tapasya, Apna Bana Lo, Maang Bharo Sajana, Mera Pati Sirf Mera Hai, Souten Ki Beti. The 10 box office flops of the pair- Sheshnaag, Amiri Garibi, Sadaa Suhagan, Ek Bechara, Raaste Pyaar Ke, Deedar-E-Yaar, Geetanjali, Mother, Apne Apne, Locket.

It was Jeetendra who introduced director K. Raghavendra Rao to Rajesh Khanna when Raghavendra wanted to cast Khanna for his films Naya Kadam and Masterji. Though Raghvendra's father K.S.Prakash Rao had directed Khanna in Prem Nagar, Raghvendra had never met Rajesh Khanna personally so insisted on Jeetendra making them meet.

K.Bappaiah directed Jeetendra in 9 box office super-hits Dildaar, Dil Aur Deewaar, Takkar, Mawaali, Pataal Bhairavi, Maqsad, Ghar Sansar, Majaal, Swarag Se Sunder and in 2 box office flops - Himmat Aur Mehanat , Aag Aur Shola.

Rama Rao Tatineni directed Jeetendra in 9 films of which 6 were super-hits. The 6 hits were Lok Parlok , Judaai, Ek Hi Bhool, Yeh Desh , Maang Bharo Sajana, Dosti Dushmani , Insaf Ki Pukar and the 3 flops were Yeh Desh, Haqeeqat and Sadaa Suhagan.

Jeetendra considered K.Raghvendra Rao to be his luckiest Director as 10 of the 11 films directed by him turned out to be blockbusters - Nishana , Farz Aur Kanoon, Himmatwala, Justice Chaudhury, Jaani Dost, Tohfa, Mera Saathi, Hoshiyar, Suhagan and Dharm Adhikari. Only one film, Kamyaab, was a flop.

Narayana Rao Dasari directed Jeetendra for first time in the hit film Swarag Narak and delivered 6 more blockbusters like Jyoti Bane Jwala, Pyaasa Sawan, Mehndi Rang Layegi, Prem Tapasya, Haisiyat, Santaan(1993). Their only commercial failures were Zakhmi Sher and Sarfarosh(1985).

Jeetendra has second most solo hero Hindi Films to his credit - 93 behind Rajesh Khanna who holds record for most number of films with being solo lead hero in 106 films(98 released).

Jeetendra's successful films in 1968-71 Jeene Ki Raah, Jigri Dost, Humjoli were remakes of M.G.R blockbusters Naan Yen Pirenden, Maatkara Velen and Periya Edathu Pen respectively. Hindi remakes were also successful and this helped him forge strong relations with Southern producers. His career's first hit Farz in 1967 was remake of Telugu film Goodachari 116 starring Krishna Ghattamaneni.

Jeetendra was 2nd highest paid Hindi actor from 1980-1989 and shared the tag of 4th highest paid Hindi actor with Amitabh from 1976-1979.

Jeetendra gave 113 box office hits (excluding guest appearances in hits Navrang, Khilona, Roti, Umar Qaid, Rani Aur Lalpari,Naya Bakra, Anokha Bandhan, Begunaah and Om Shanti Om) as the lead hero from 1964-1997, off the 198 films he appeared till 2007 as lead hero.He appeared in guest appearance in 26 other movies from 1959 to 2007 and 2 more films in supporting role after 2000. His total film appearances were in 226 films and 121 of them were box office hits and 102 were flops.

Jeetendra received critical acclaim in 1970's for his roles in Ek Nari Ek Brahmachari, Caravan and Parichay, Dulhan, Bidaai, Santan(1975), Dildaar,Apnapan and box office flops Khushboo and Kinara. Coincidently all these 4 films -Caravan, Parichay, Khushboo, Kinara had music by R.D.Burman. In the 80's his critically acclaimed films were Asha, Judaai, Ek Hi Bhool, Meri Aawaz Suno,Khoon Ka Rishta, Justice Chaudhury, Arpan, Khudgarz, New Delhi. Other critically acclaimed but box office flops were Boond Jo Ban Gayee Moti, Mere Humsafar, Geetanjali, Udhaar Ki Zindagi and box office hits like Nyay Anyay, Santaan(1993), Khalnaikaa, Aadmi Khilona Hai, Prateeksha, Lav Kush(1997).

In the 80's his critically acclaimed films were Meri Aawaz Suno, Ek Hi Bhool, Justice Chaudhury, Khudgarz, New Delhi. Other critically acclaimed but box office flops were Boond Jo Ban Gayee Moti, Mere Humsafar, Udhaar Ki Zindagi and box office hits like Nyay Anyay, Santaan (1993), Geetanjali, Chupp, Lav Kush (1997).

Monetarily his weak period was 1967-1975, where he was offered lesser amount to star as the hero in the films. Jeetendra had 22 flops of the 44 films he did as the solo lead hero in period 1967-1979 and had only 7 hits from the 19 multi star films he did from 1969-1979. Jeetendra had done 66 films as lead hero between 1964-1979, of them 38 were hits and 29 were flops.His good period, money-wise and box office hits wise was 1979-1988, where he used to be signed by southern producers for 2-3 films together and payment to Jeetendra was made for each film at a half of market rate of Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan. Having more films in his hand, he earned the most in the period 1980-1989 though actors who were highest paid actor per film remained Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh in the period 1980-87.Jeetendra was 2 nd highest paid Hindi actor from 1980-89.

It was a mere coincidence that his initial hits came with South producers only. Farz and Waris, were remakes of Telugu film Gudachari 116(1967) and Tamil film Naan(1967) respectively and these films were offered to Jeetendra when he was not established star. After these 2 films became hits, other producers who used to make films both in Hindi and Tamil, offered Jeetendra lead roles, when they either could not get their first choice Rajesh Khanna, due to date issues or because they could not afford Rajesh Khanna. For the remake of Gudachari 116, Feroz Khan was approached first, but due to date issues he had to opt out, though he had seen the Telugu film fully and had agreed to star in it.

In the period 1967-1969 his multi star hit films were Parivar, Mere Huzoor, Dharti Kahe Pukarke and his solo hero hits in late 60's were Geet Gaaya Pattharone, Farz, Suhaag Raat, Waris, Jigri Dost, Jeene Ki Raah.

Geet Gaaya Pattharonne was his first hit, but that didn't fetch him offers as a lead hero. It was Farz released in 1967, his 4th film appearance and 3rd as the male lead, which made him a known face.

Jeetendra and Rajesh Khanna went to the same school and college - St.Sebastain Goan School and Kishanchand Chellaram College. But unlike Khanna, who actively participated in inter-college competitions and won many awards, Jeetendra never participated in any drama competitions during his college days.

Jeetendra's closest friends were Rakesh Roshan, Rishi Kapoor, Rajesh Khanna, Sujith Kumar, Asrani, Kader Khan, Bappi Lahiri.

The directors who constantly gave box office hits with Jeetendra in the period 1976-1989 were J. Om Prakash, Narayana Rao Dasari, Rama Rao Tatineni, K. Raghavendra Rao and K. Bapaiah.

Producers like D. Rama Naidu, Prasan Kapoor, Tirupati Pictures, Padmalaya Studios, G.A. Sheshagiri Rao kept casting Jeetendra in their films and made many blockbusters with him as the lead hero in the period 1977-1989.

Uncle to Bollywood Director/Actor Abhishek Kapoor.

Brother of Producer Prasan Kapoor. Prasan Kapoor wife's name is Priya Kapoor.

Cousin to Producer Nitin Kapoor. (Jayasudha's Husband).

Starred in shelved movie Chanda Ki Chandni (1996) starring Jeeteendra, Reena Roy, Saaed Jaffery, Ashok Kumar, Sharmilee Raj, Aditi Sengupta.Music Laxmikant Pyarelal. Producer ; Ehsaan Khan. Directed; Raja Nawathe.

Starred in shelved movie Aag Ke Sitare(1996) starring Jeetendra, Avinash Wadhawan, Karishma Kapoor, Ronit Roy, Chandni, Rami Reddy. Directed; Kader Kashmiri, Music; Nadeem Shravan.

Starred in shelved film "Atal Iraada"(1993).

Starred in the shelved film M.R.S.Movies "Buddha Mil Gaya" (1992) Starring Jeetendra, Vicky Arora, Jay Mehta,Tisca Arora, Farheen,Salim Sheikh,Shakti Kapoor, Prem Chopra,Ranjeet, Ishrat Ali, Pran, Puneet Issar,Pramod Moutho, Music by Hari Arjun, Produced by Raj,Directed by Raj. 10 Reels.

Brother in law of Mumbai film distributor Ramesh Sippy ( Not the director). Shobha and Raksha are sisters. Raksha is married to Ramesh Sippy. They have 2 older daughters and a son. Ramesh was infamous for his involvement with Moushami Chatterjee in 1988.

Jeetendra considered K.Raghvendra Rao to be his luckiest Director as 10 of the 11 films directed by him turned out to be blockbusters - Nishana , Farz Aur Kanoon, Himmatwala, Justice Chaudhury, Jaani Dost, Tohfa, Mera Saathi, Hoshiyar, Suhagan and Dharm Adhikari. Only 1 film Kamyaab, alone was a flop.

Jeetendra's popular hits with audience in 1970's included Humjoli, Kathputli, Caravan, Ek Nari Ek Brahmachari, Banphool, Ek Hasina Do Diwane, Parichay, Bhai Ho To Aisa, Anokhi Ada, Jaise Ko Taisa, Bidaai, Santan(1976), Nagin, Dildaar, Dharam Veer, Apnapan, Swarg Narak , Badaltey Rishtey, Dil Aur Deewaar, Khandaan, Jaani Dushman, Nalayak and Lok Parlok .

After Rajesh Khanna became the first superstar in 1969, all the actors except Devanand, had to suffer Rajesh Khanna onslaught in the period 1969-1975. Jeetendra had 22 flops and 21 solo hero film hits of the 43 films he did as the solo lead hero in period 1967-1979. Jeetendra had only 16 hits and 7 flops from the 23 multi star films he did from 1969-1979. In short, Jeetendra had done 66 films as lead hero between 1964-1979, of them 38 were hits and 29 were flops.

Childhood and college friends Rajesh Khanna and Jeetendra worked together and gave 3 blockbusters in the 1980's- Dharam Kanta(1982), Nishaan(1983) and Maqsad(1984). Infact all 3 films revenue showed increasing trend. Maqsad was the highest box office earner in the year 1984. Jeetendra made guest appearances in Roti, Palkon Ki Chaon Mein and Behunaah - all three films which had Rajesh Khanna as the solo lead hero.

Jeetendra-Sridevi did 16 films together between 1983-88 and 13 of them were hits and 3 were flops.The 13 hits were Himmatwala(1983), Jaani Dost (1983), Justice Chaudhury (1983), Mawaali (1983), Akalmand (1984), Tohfa (1984), Balidaan (1985),Suhagan(1986), Ghar Sansar (1986), Dharm Adhikari (1986), Aulad (1987), Sone Pe Suhaaga (1988). The 3 flops of the pair were Sarfarosh (1985),Aag Aur Shola (1986),Himmat Aur Mehanat (1987).

Niece name is Aparna Kapoor ( Abhishek Kapoor sister).

Abhishek Kapoor is Jeetendra's sister's son.

Brother in law of producer, director VK Sobti.

Brother in law of writer and Costume designer Nim Sood ( Shobha's sister).

Starred in shelved film, Shree Pooja Productions "Atal Iraada" (1993). Starring Jeetendra, Raj Babbar,Amrita Singh,Archana Puran Singh,Ram Sethi,Satyen Kappu,Amrish Puri, Mac Mohan, Shiva. Music by Rajesh Roshan, Produced by Suresh J Gupta, Directed by Sunil R Prasad.

Starred in the shelved movie,Akruti Films International,"Tarazu"(1990). Starring Jeetendra, Dimple Kapadia, Raj Babbar,Om Shivpuri, Music by Bappi Lahiri, Produced by Rajiv Kumar Choudhary, Directed by Sinkander Bharti.

Starred in the shelved movie,G.S. Films International's "Devatma"(1990) Starring Jeetendra, Sanjay Dutt,Jaya Pradha, Shilpa Shirodkar,Gulshan Grover,Kiran Kumar, Tej Sapru,Charanjeet,Alok Nath, Music by Bappi Lahiri, Produced Charanjeet,Yatinder Singhal, Directed by Sameer Malkan.

Starred in the shelved movie Movie Matter's "Heere Jawahrat"(1981) Starring Sanjeev Kumar, Jeetendra, Reena Roy, Amjad Khan,Music Rajesh Roshan,Directed by R.Jhalani. 14 Reels.