Jeetendra visits Pune for Ganpati darshan, says 'I am more Maharashtrian inside and outside'
Synopsis
Despite being unwell, veteran actor Jeetendra made it to Pune for Ganpati darshan and delivered one of the most emotionally candid statements of the festival season, vowing to visit Bappa 'even on a stretcher.' His revelation that he was the only Punjabi in a largely Maharashtrian building and that his mother spoke Marathi adds rare autobiographical depth to the visit.
Key Takeaways
Jeetendra visited Pune on 22 September 2026 for Ganpati darshan despite reportedly being unwell.
He vowed to visit Bappa every year until his death, saying he would come 'even on a stretcher' if needed.
The actor grew up as the only Punjabi in a four-storey Mumbai building of nearly 100 families , mostly Maharashtrian and Konkani.
He described himself as 'more Maharashtrian inside and outside' due to his upbringing and community.
His family has celebrated Ganeshotsav at their Mumbai home for approximately 52 years .
His sole personal prayer: to 'walk on two legs' till he dies, remaining physically independent.
Veteran Bollywood actor Jeetendra visited Pune on 22 September 2026 to seek Ganpati darshan, reaffirming his lifelong emotional bond with Maharashtra and vowing to keep visiting Bappa until his last breath. The actor, who was reportedly unwell on the day, said it was both divine calling and the warmth of the event organisers that drew him to the venue despite his condition.
The Vow That Stole the Spotlight
'I want to walk on two legs till I die. This is my only prayer. I want to come to visit Bappa till I die even if it means coming on a stretcher,' Jeetendra said at the venue. He noted that Bappa calls him every year, and that organiser Nimbalkarji's love and affection made the visit non-negotiable despite his health. 'Today I am not well, but I can't go wrong,' he said.
A Punjabi Boy Shaped by Maharashtrian Life
The actor offered a candid glimpse into his formative years, revealing that he grew up as the sole Punjabi resident in a four-storey building in Mumbai that housed nearly 100 families, predominantly Maharashtrian and Konkani. 'I was the only Punjabi. The rest were Maharashtrians and Konkanis. So everything in my house was Maharashtrian. My mother also spoke Marathi,' he said.
That cultural immersion fundamentally shaped his identity. 'I am more Maharashtrian inside and outside,' he declared. 'I have never met such good people. They never had any ego or attitude, but they had a lot of self-pride and self-respect. They would be completely self-dependent, and never be dependent on anybody.'
Childhood Memories: Fans, Boondi and Simple Joys
The veteran recalled a childhood defined by modest means but rich community bonds. He described how owning a fan at home was once a neighbourhood spectacle: 'There was a fan in my house. The whole building came into view saying, there was a fan in their house. I stayed there for 17 years. After that, by the grace of God, I became an actor.'
He also fondly remembered the simple pleasure of receiving boondi during Ganpati and Diwali celebrations. 'We used to take boondi and put them in our pockets. We used to eat them one by one,' he recalled. 'We don't have that fun now. The small things that we used to enjoy in our childhood, we don't get in big things now.'
Prayers for His Children and a 52-Year Family Tradition
Asked what he prays for on behalf of his children, Jeetendra kept it simple: 'Peace of children, love, affection of people and good health, that's all I asked for.' He also revealed that his family has been observing Ganeshotsav at their Mumbai home for approximately 52 years, a tradition that predates his peak stardom and continues unbroken.
As the festival season continues across Maharashtra, Jeetendra's visit serves as a reminder that for many icons of Hindi cinema, cultural roots run far deeper than the limelight.
Point of View
But the more compelling story is the identity one: a Punjabi actor shaped so thoroughly by Maharashtrian culture that he claims it as his own. In an era when cultural identity is politically charged in Maharashtra, that self-description carries more weight than it might appear. His candid remarks about childhood poverty, a fan as a neighbourhood luxury, boondi hoarded in pockets, also cut against the curated nostalgia typically offered by stars of his generation. The rawness is precisely what makes it resonate.
NationPress
22 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Jeetendra visit Pune during Ganpati 2026?
Jeetendra visited Pune on 22 September 2026 to seek Ganpati darshan, driven by personal devotion and the longstanding affection of organiser Nimbalkarji. The actor said he could not skip the visit despite not being in good health.
What did Jeetendra say about his Maharashtrian identity?
Jeetendra said he considers himself 'more Maharashtrian inside and outside,' explaining that he grew up as the only Punjabi in a building of nearly 100 predominantly Maharashtrian and Konkani families in Mumbai, and that even his mother spoke Marathi.
What is Jeetendra's one prayer from Bappa?
Jeetendra said his only personal prayer is to remain physically independent, to walk on two legs till he dies. He also pledged to visit Bappa every year, saying he would come even on a stretcher if necessary.
How long has Jeetendra's family been celebrating Ganeshotsav?
Jeetendra revealed that his family has been celebrating Ganeshotsav at their Mumbai home for approximately 52 years, a tradition that stretches back well before his peak years in Hindi cinema.
What childhood memories did Jeetendra share at the Ganpati darshan?
The actor recalled growing up in a modest flat where owning a fan drew the entire building's attention. He fondly remembered collecting boondi during Ganpati and Diwali and eating it slowly, describing those simple pleasures as something money cannot replicate today.
