Veteran actor Jeetendra: opens up about his remarkable journey from Bollywood to real estate, revealing how a modest investment in Mumbai’s Pali Hill decades ago turned into one of his biggest success stories. The actor also shared how his daughter is doing: Ekta KapoorThe desire to buy his first house changed his perspective on property investment and why he believes that “every property has a destiny.”
From a Rs 5.25 lakh bungalow to a Rs 450 crore property
Recalling his family’s first major land purchase, Jeetendra revealed that they bought legendary actor Bharat Bhushan’s Pali Hill bungalow for Rs 5.25 lakh.“We bought the bungalow at Pali Hill for Rs 5.25 lakh. The surprising part is that the land measures 3,450 square meters. We moved there, and there was a bungalow on the lot,” he recalled while talking to The Realty Drive.The property is located near Gautam Apartment in Pali Hill, where Jeetendra later built a residential building himself.“Later I constructed that building myself and sold the flats at Rs 85 per square feet,” he said.When asked what the same land is worth today, the veteran actor estimated, “I think it is easily worth Rs 400-450 crore today.”
Start: Ekta: Kapoor’s first home purchase changed everything
Jeetendra revealed that his daughter Ekta Kapoor’s desire to become financially independent became another point in her real estate journey.“One day Ekta came to me. She was doing well in her career and wanted to be independent. She said, ‘Dad, I want to buy my own flat.'”The actor soon realized that the advertised property sizes were not always what they were.“He wanted a flat for sale of 3,000 square feet. I asked the seller, ‘How much is the actual area?’ He replied, ‘The actual carpet area is 1,700 square feet, but the super built-up is 3,000.’ In those days, even the kitchen platforms and similar spaces were included in the super built-up area,” he said.
The Juhu land deal that almost fell apart
Jeetendra then recounts how a chance meeting led him to purchase a plot in Juhu that would later become the family’s iconic Ekta House.“A man who owns land in Juhu came to me and said, ‘You are looking for a house. Why don’t you buy my lot?’ He wanted to sell because he was getting unwanted phone calls from Dubai after people started saying he was building a bungalow.He bought the plot for Rs 4.25 crore before deciding to buy the neighboring property as well.However, after accepting a token payment of Rs 10 lakh, the owner backed out of the deal as property prices shot up.“I went to my lawyer. He’s still a lawyer today—a wonderful man. He asked me, ‘Do you have any evidence?’ I said, ‘Yes. I paid Rs 10 lakh by cheque, and he cashed it.’ He then said, ‘Go and tell him that as long as you live, he cannot take the land.'”Eventually, the two parties negotiated a revised price.“I agreed to pay a little, and I finally got the property. Fortunately, the two lots became one large parcel of land, giving us a larger compound. If I had only one lot, even a proper driveway would not have been possible.”
“You don’t choose the land, the land chooses you”
Reflecting on decades of investing, Jeetendra says real estate is often driven by luck rather than planning.“Every deal has a story. Fate plays an important role. No one is so smart that they make big property decisions on their own.”Drawing a spiritual analogy, he added, “Like people who say you don’t go to Shirdi unless Sai Baba calls you, I believe the land is the same. You don’t choose the land—the land chooses you.”He said his investments were gradually expanded from Mira Road to Pune and Powai.“After that I bought land on Mira Road for a studio, later lots in Pune, and eventually property in Powai where we developed data centers, in partnership with Mr. Hiranandani. That’s how an actor slowly becomes a builder.”
“We can do nothing without Vastu”
Asked if Vastu played a role in his developments, Jeetendra admitted that he followed it closely but did not believe it overruled destiny.“We can’t do anything without Vastu. But I’ll tell you one thing – everything has a cure except superstition.”“If you believe in Vastu, it gives you confidence. You feel stronger because you have done what you believe is right. It is like praying to God—you feel that you are putting your wishes before Him. But in the end, what’s meant to be will happen. “
Start: Balaji Telefilms found its home
Jeetendra also revealed that one of his biggest construction projects became the headquarters of Balaji Telefilms almost by accident.“My last film was around 1996. At that time, the film industry was going through a difficult period because of video piracy.”Believing his acting career was on the wane, he turned his attention to real estate.“Around the same time, Ekta started Balaji Telefilms. I built the building where Balaji’s offices are now.”Interestingly, the building initially failed to attract buyers.“When I built that property, my construction cost was about Rs 2,800 per square foot, while the market price was only about Rs 2,600 per square foot. That’s why I couldn’t sell it. Fortunately, Ekta’s company left, she needed office space, and Balaji moved into that building. So everything came together. I had no idea before that Ekta was successful.”
“Sharks spare no one”
Despite being one of Bollywood’s biggest stars, Jeetendra said celebrity status never gave him any advantage in property deals.“It doesn’t make things any easier. Sharks don’t save anybody.”Recalling another big investment, he said, “I bought a 12-hectare property. Initially, it was intended for an old-age home. But the land was tied up in litigation. It took me seven to eight years to clear all the legal issues, and during that time my investment almost tripled.”His investment eventually grew from around Rs 8 crore to nearly Rs 21 crore before the property value increased dramatically.“Finally, good land will reward you. When I first bought it, there was nothing around. Just look at the place now.”
Bollywood vs real estate
When asked about the biggest difference between acting and real estate, Jeetendra gave a simple but informed answer.“As an artist, people come to see you. In real estate, I have to go to people.”He also pointed out that business has its own uncertainties.“Real estate has uncertainties too. Governments can change laws midway. Regulations can change. New restrictions can come.”For Jeetendra, however, success cannot be measured solely by profit.“Profit is not just about making money. If buyers are willing to pay for your project, it means they appreciate your work. No one gives you free money—you get it by force or by delivering something useful.