Ravi Kapoor, universally known by his screen name Jeetendra, is one of Hindi cinema's most enduring and charismatic stars. Spanning over six decades and encompassing over 200 films, his career is synonymous with Bollywood's quintessential "masala" era, marked by energetic dance, vibrant costumes, and successful remakes of South Indian hits.
🌟 Biography: Early Life
and Rise to Stardom
- Birth
and Early Life: Born Ravi Kapoor on April 7, 1942, in Amritsar,
Punjab. His family was involved in the imitation jewellery business,
supplying items to the film industry, which offered him an early exposure
to Bollywood. He attended St. Sebastian's Goan High School in Mumbai
alongside his future friend and contemporary, Rajesh Khanna.
- The
Big Break: His initial foray into films was in a minor role as actress
Sandhya's double in V. Shantaram's 1959 movie Navrang. Shantaram
later cast him as the lead in 1964's Geet Gaya Patharon Ne,
marking his official debut as a hero.
- The
Breakthrough: His career truly soared with the 1967 spy thriller Farz,
which was a remake of a Telugu film. The song "Mast Baharon Ka Main
Aashiq" from the film, where he famously wore a T-shirt and white
shoes, established his signature look and, combined with his vigorous
dancing, earned him the nickname "Jumping Jack of Bollywood."
- Personal
Life: Jeetendra married his childhood sweetheart, Shobha Kapoor,
in 1974. They have two children: daughter Ekta Kapoor (a successful
television and film producer and head of Balaji Telefilms) and son Tusshar Kapoor (an actor).
🎬 Filmography Highlights
and Career Timeline
Jeetendra's film career can be segmented into distinct
phases of success:
1. Rise to Stardom (Late 1960s - Early 1970s)
Following Farz, he cemented his stardom with a string
of commercial hits showcasing his youthful energy and flair for both romantic
and action roles.
- Key
Films:
- Jeene
Ki Raah (1969)
- Humjoli
(1970)
- Caravan
(1971) - A musical crime thriller that was a superhit both domestically
and internationally.
2. The Mid-70s & Versatility
Although he faced a brief period of decline in the early
70s, he received critical acclaim for sensitive performances in films directed
by Gulzar, proving his range beyond the commercial dancer image.
- Key
Films:
- Parichay
(1972)
- Khushboo
(1975)
- Bidaai
(1974) - A blockbuster that ended his dry spell.
- Dharam
Veer (1977) - A mega-hit action film.
- Nagin
(1976)
3. The Peak Years: 1980s Dominance
The 1980s marked his most prolific and commercially
successful phase, characterized by frequent collaborations with South Indian
directors and co-starring opposite actresses Sridevi and Jaya Prada.
These films were known for vibrant songs, exaggerated drama, and mass appeal.
- Key
Blockbusters:
- Aasha
(1980) - One of his biggest solo hits.
- Justice
Chaudhry (1982)
- Himmatwala
(1983)
- Mawaali
(1983)
- Tohfa
(1984)
- Maqsad
(1984)
4. Later Career (1990s - Present)
In his later career, he transitioned to supporting and
character roles, continuing his association with his daughter Ekta Kapoor's
production house, Balaji Telefilms.
- Key
Recognition:
- He
received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003.
🏆 Legacy: The Enduring
Star
Jeetendra's legacy lies in his ability to sustain a highly
successful career for decades, adapting from black-and-white romantic roles to
the colorful, high-energy commercial cinema of the 80s. He remains a celebrated
figure in Indian cinema, known for his signature dance style and as the
patriarch of one of Bollywood's most influential production families.
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