Veteran actor Jeetendra has opened up about his remarkable journey from Bollywood to real estate, revealing how a modest investment in Mumbai’s Pali Hill decades ago eventually became one of his biggest success stories. The actor also shared how daughter Ekta Kapoor‘s desire to buy her first home changed his outlook on property investments and why he believes “every property has a destiny.”
From a Rs 5.25 lakh bungalow to a Rs 450 crore property
Looking back at his family’s first major real estate purchase, Jeetendra revealed they bought legendary actor Bharat Bhushan’s Pali Hill bungalow for just Rs 5.25 lakh.“We bought that Pali Hill bungalow for Rs 5.25 lakh. The shocking part is that the land measured 3,450 square metres. We shifted there, and there was already a bungalow on the plot,” he recalled while speaking to The Realty Drive.The property was located near Gautam Apartment in Pali Hill, where Jeetendra later developed a residential building himself.“I later built that building myself and sold the flats at Rs 85 per square foot,” he said.When asked what the same land would be worth today, the veteran actor estimated, “I think it would easily be worth Rs 400–450 crore today.”
How Ekta Kapoor’s first home purchase changed everything
Jeetendra revealed that his daughter Ekta Kapoor’s wish to become financially independent became another turning point in his real estate journey.“One day Ekta came to me. She was doing well in her career and wanted to become independent. She said, ‘Papa, I want to buy my own flat.’”The actor soon realised that property sizes being advertised weren’t always what they appeared to be.“She liked a flat that was being sold as 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 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 narrated how a chance meeting led him to buy a plot in Juhu that would later become the family’s iconic Ekta House.“A man who owned land in Juhu came to me and said, ‘You’re looking for a house. Why don’t you buy my plot?’ He wanted to sell because he was receiving 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 purchase the neighbouring property as well.However, after accepting a Rs 10 lakh token payment, the owner backed out of the deal because property prices had increased.“I went to my lawyer. He’s still my lawyer today—a wonderful human being. He asked me, ‘Do you have proof?’ I said, ‘Yes. I paid Rs 10 lakh by cheque, and she has encashed it.’ He immediately said, ‘Go and tell her that till you’re alive, she will never get that land.’”Eventually, both parties negotiated a revised price.“I agreed to pay a little more, and finally I got the property. Fortunately, both plots became one large parcel of land, giving us a much bigger compound. If I had only one plot, even a proper driveway wouldn’t have been possible.”
‘You don’t choose the land, the land chooses you’
Reflecting on decades of investing, Jeetendra said real estate is often driven by destiny rather than planning.“Every deal has a story. Destiny plays a very important role. Nobody is so intelligent that they alone make great property decisions.”Drawing a spiritual comparison, he added, “Just like people say you don’t go to Shirdi unless Sai Baba calls you, I believe land is the same. You don’t choose the land—the land chooses you.”He said his investments gradually expanded from Mira Road to Pune and Powai.“After that I bought land on Mira Road for a studio, later plots in Pune, and eventually property in Powai where we developed data centres, partly in partnership with Mr Hiranandani. That’s how an actor gradually became a builder.”
‘We don’t do anything without Vastu’
Asked whether Vastu plays a role in his developments, Jeetendra admitted he follows it closely but doesn’t believe it overrides destiny.“We don’t do anything without Vastu. But let me tell you one thing—everything has a remedy except superstition.”“If you believe in Vastu, it gives you confidence. You feel stronger because you’ve done what you believe is right. It’s like praying to God—you feel you’ve placed your wishes before Him. But ultimately, what is destined to happen will happen.”
How 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. By then, the film industry was going through a difficult phase because of video piracy.”Believing his acting career was winding down, he focused on real estate.“Around the same time, Ekta started Balaji Telefilms. I had already constructed the building where Balaji’s offices are today.”Interestingly, the building initially failed to attract buyers.“When I built that property, my construction cost was around Rs 2,800 per square foot, while the market price was only about Rs 2,600 per square foot. So I couldn’t sell it. Luckily, Ekta’s company took off, she needed office space, and Balaji moved into that building. That’s how it all came together. I had no idea back then that Ekta would become so successful.”
‘Sharks don’t spare anyone’
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 easier. Sharks don’t spare anyone.”Recalling another major investment, he said, “I bought a 12-acre property. Initially, it was meant 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’s value multiplied significantly.“In the end, good land rewards you. When I first bought it, there was nothing around. Just look at the area today.”
Bollywood vs real estate
When asked about the biggest difference between acting and real estate, Jeetendra gave a simple but telling answer.“As an actor, people come to see you. In real estate, I have to go to the people.”He also pointed out that the business comes with its own uncertainties.“Real estate has its uncertainties too. Governments can change laws midway. Regulations can change. New restrictions may come in.”For Jeetendra, however, success isn’t measured only by profits.“Profit isn’t just about making money. When buyers willingly pay for your project, it means they’ve appreciated your work. Nobody gives you money for free—you either earn it through force or by delivering something worthwhile. I’d rather earn it by doing good work.”
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