A veteran player Jeetendra has opened up about his incredible journey from Bollywood to real estate, revealing how a small investment in Mumbai’s Pali Hill decades ago became one of his biggest success stories. The actor also shared his daughter’s condition Ekta KapoorThe desire to buy her first home changed her perspective on finance and why she believes that “every property has a future.”
From Rs 5.25 lakh bungalow to Rs 450 crore property
Looking back on their first real estate purchase, Jeetendra revealed that he bought the iconic Bharat Bhushan’s Pali Hill bungalow for Rs 5.25 lakh.“We bought a Pali Hill bungalow for Rs 5.25 lakh. What’s surprising is that the property measured 3,450 square meters. We moved there, and there was already a bungalow on the plot,” he recalled while speaking to The Realty Drive.The place was next to Gautam Apartment in Pali Hill, where Jeetendra had also built an apartment.“Then I rebuilt the house and sold the houses at Rs 85 per square foot,” he said.Asked what the same would be worth today, the veteran actor opined, “I think it would be worth Rs 400-450 crore today.”
Why? Ekta Kapoor’s first home purchase changed everything
Jeetendra revealed that his daughter Ekta Kapoor’s desire to become financially independent also took a turn during her real estate journey.“One day Ekta came to me. She was doing well in her job and wanted to be independent. She said, ‘Dad, I want to buy my house.’The player soon realized that the size of the property advertised was not what it seemed.“He liked the house that was being sold for like 3,000 square feet. I asked the seller, ‘How much is the real estate worth?’ He replied, ‘The area of a real carpet is 1,700 square feet, but the best built one is 3,000.’ In those days, even kitchen towers and similar spaces were integrated into the most well-built spaces,” he said.
The Juhu land deal that was about to end
Jeetendra then explained how a chance meeting helped him buy a plot of land in Juhu that would later become the famous Ekta House.“A person who was living in Juhu came up to the verse and said, ‘You want to sell the house, why don’t you sell it to me? He wanted to sell it because he was getting unwanted calls from Dubai when people started saying that he was building a warehouse.He bought the property for Rs 4.25 crore before deciding to buy the neighboring property as well.However, after receiving an amount of Rs 10 lakh, the owner defaulted on the loan as property prices rose.“I went to my lawyer. He’s still my lawyer today—a wonderful man. He asked me, ‘Do you have proof?’ I said, ‘Yes. I paid Rs 10 lakh in the cheque, and you have returned it.’ At the same time he said, ‘Go and tell him that until you live, he will not take the land.After that, both parties discussed the cost of the renovation.“I agreed to pay a little, and finally I got the land. Fortunately, both places became one big piece of land, giving us a very big place.
‘You don’t choose the world, the world chooses you’
Reflecting on his decades of investment experience, Jeetendra said real estate is often driven by the future rather than planning.“Every destiny has its own story. Destiny plays a very important role. No one is so smart that they are the only ones making the big stock decisions.Comparing spiritual things, he added, “Just like people say you don’t go to Shirdi unless Sai Baba invites you, I believe places are equal. You don’t choose the place—the place chooses you.”He said that his income gradually increased from Mira Road to Pune and Powai.“After that I bought a plot on Mira Road for a studio, then plots in Pune, and finally property in Powai where we built a data center, partly in collaboration with Mr. Hiranandani. That’s how a player gradually became an architect.”
‘We do nothing without Vastu’
When asked if Vastu plays a role in his development, Jeetendra admits that he follows it closely but does not believe it trumps destiny.“We don’t do anything without Vastu. But let me tell you one thing – everything has its medicine except superstition.”“If you believe in Vastu, it gives you confidence. You become strong because you have done what you believe is right. It is like praying to God—you feel that you have put your wishes before him.” But in the end, what must be done will be done. “
Why? Balaji Telefilms they found their home
Jeetendra also revealed that one of his biggest construction projects was 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 phase due to video shooting.”Believing that his acting career was winding down, he turned his attention to real estate.“At the same time, Ekta started Balaji Telefilms. I had already built the building where Balaji’s offices are today.”Interestingly, the house initially failed to attract buyers.“When I was building this place, my construction cost was around 2,800 per square foot, while the market price was around 2,600 per square foot. So I couldn’t sell it. Fortunately, Ekta’s company took off, they wanted office space, and Balaji moved into the building. That’s how everything happened.
‘Sharks don’t tolerate anyone’
Despite being one of the most popular actors in Bollywood, Jeetendra said that the fame did not give him any advantage in selling the property.“It doesn’t make things easy. Sharks don’t tolerate anyone.”Recalling a large amount of money, he said: “I bought a 12-acre piece of land. At first, it was planned to be a home for the elderly. But the land was tied up in court. It took me 7 to 8 years to resolve all the legal issues, and during that time, the amount I sold was about three times.”His income grew from Rs 8 crore to around Rs 21 crore before the property’s value increased significantly.“At the end of the day, a good place pays off. When I first bought it, there was nothing there. Just look at the area today.”
Bollywood vs real estate
When asked about the big difference between acting and space, Jeetendra gave a simple but clear answer.“As an actor, people come to see you. In a commercial, I have to go to people.”He added that the business comes with its own uncertainties.“Real estate also has its uncertainties. Governments can change laws in the middle. Laws can change. New restrictions can come.”For Jeetendra, however, success is not only measured by profit.“Profit is not just about making money. When buyers willingly pay you, it means they appreciate your work. Nobody gives you money for free – you earn it by force or by bringing in useful products. It’s better to earn it by doing good work.”