✦ Celebrity stories, facts and career updates. Explore F4U now →

Home › Biography › Jeetendra (Actor)

Jeetendra (Actor) biographyFeatured Biography

Image source: StarsUnfolded

Actors

Jeetendra (Actor) Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 4, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth7 April 1942

Age83 Years (as of 2025)

BirthplaceAmritsar, Punjab, India

ProfessionActor

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseShobha Kapoor

FamilyChildren: Tusshar Kapoor (son), Ekta Kapoor (daughter)

Jeetendra (Actor) Biography

Jeetendra, born Ravi Kapoor on 7 April 1942 in Amritsar, is a veteran Indian film actor known for his energetic dancing and long career in Hindi cinema. He

Early life and background

Jeetendra was born Ravi Kapoor on 7 April 1942 in Amritsar, Punjab. Raised in a family that ran an imitation jewellery business, he moved to Mumbai for his schooling and higher education. He attended St. Sebastian’s Goan High School in Girgaum and went on to graduate from colleges in Mumbai, including Siddharth College and K.C. College in Churchgate.

His parents are named Amarnath Kapoor and Krishna Kapoor. He had at least one brother, Prasan Kapoor. The family’s business put him in contact with film personalities early on: supplying jewellery for a film project led to an opportunity to work on set and to a screen name change to Jeetendra.

Career

Jeetendra entered films in the late 1950s and made his credited debut as a lead in Geet Gaya Pattharon Ne (1964), directed by V. Shantaram. That film did not bring immediate success, and his breakthrough came later with the 1967 spy thriller Farz, which performed well commercially and showcased his energetic dance style.

Over the following decades Jeetendra became known for lively performances and distinct dancing, earning him the nickname "Jumping Jack." He worked across many popular films through the 1970s and 1980s and shared screen space and professional relationships with contemporaries such as Rajesh Khanna, with whom he had a long-standing association dating back to school and college days.

Jeetendra’s career extended beyond acting roles. He served as a judge on the second season of the Indian dance reality series Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, bringing his experience as a performer to a television audience. In recognition of his contributions to Indian cinema, he received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2014.

Public profile

Jeetendra built a public image around his dancing and screen presence. He married Shobha Kapoor, a film and television producer, and the couple have two children who are active in the entertainment industry: son Tusshar Kapoor, an actor and producer, and daughter Ekta Kapoor, a producer and managing director and creative head of Balaji Telefilms Limited.

He has been linked publicly to a personal relationship in the past with actress Hema Malini; reports indicate they had a romantic involvement in the early 1970s, though they did not marry. On the professional front, anecdotes from film sets and industry stories note his collaborations with leading actresses of the era and his role in bringing performers together on projects.

Personal details and interests

Jeetendra’s physical stature is approximately 175 cm (about 5'9") and he is listed at roughly 72 kg (158 lbs). He has dark brown eyes and black hair. His zodiac sign is Aries. He is identified as Hindu by religion. Known hobbies include dancing and listening to music. He has a stated preference for foods such as fish and dosa, and has been reported to own a Range Rover.

Latest updates

Among later-career highlights, Jeetendra’s television appearances and industry recognition stand out, including judging on a televised dance competition and being honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2014. Public records also note a legal allegation made in 2018 by a relative regarding an incident from 1971.

Despite the passing decades since his film debut, Jeetendra remains a recognizable name in Hindi cinema, remembered for his dynamic performances and for the next generation of his family who continue to shape Indian film and television.
◈

Recent Work

Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (Season 2) - Judge

Served as a judge on the Indian dance competition show.

Dadasaheb Phalke Award

Received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for contributions to Indian cinema.

2014
✦

Career Highlights

  1. Debuted in Geet Gaya Pattharon Ne (1964)
  2. Breakthrough with the spy thriller Farz (1967)
  3. Nicknamed 'Jumping Jack' for energetic dance performances
  4. Judge on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (Season 2)
  5. Recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2014)
?

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Jeetendra (Actor) born?

7 April 1942

What is Jeetendra (Actor) known for?

Actor

What is Jeetendra (Actor)’s marital status?

Married

Who is Jeetendra (Actor) married to?

Shobha Kapoor