Jeetendra Visits Pune for Ganesh Darshan Despite Illness

Pune, September 22 (Daily Kiran) : Veteran actor Jeetendra made a heartfelt visit to Pune for Ganesh Darshan, emphasizing his strong bond with Maharashtra. Despite feeling unwell, he felt compelled to pay his respects, stating, "Bappa calls us, and his love is so deep that I cannot refuse to come." In a conversation, Jeetendra expressed his desire to remain physically independent for as long as he lives.He shared, "I pray to Bappa that I want to walk on my own feet until my last breath, even if it means coming on a stretcher." Reflecting on his childhood memories, Jeetendra recalled how Ganesh Chaturthi has always been a significant part of his life. He grew up in a four-story building in Mumbai, where around 100 families lived, mostly Maharashtrians and Konkani, making him the only Punjabi family in the mix. For over 52 years, he has celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi at his home in Mumbai.The Bollywood star reminisced about the vibrant community spirit, saying, "We had hundreds of families in our building, and my home was filled with Maharashtrian culture. My mother even spoke Marathi." He fondly remembered the small joys of childhood festivals, such as receiving boondi sweets to keep in his pocket. "During any festival, we would always get boondi, and we would enjoy them one by one. That joy is missing now; the simple pleasures of childhood have been replaced by bigger things." Jeetendra also shared insights about his humble beginnings, noting, "In my childhood home, we had just one fan, while now everyone has air conditioning." He spent 17 years in that building before finding success as an actor.Despite his rise to fame, Jeetendra cherishes the peace and tranquility he found in his childhood. He highlighted his strong identification with Maharashtrian culture, saying, "I am Maharashtrian inside and out, surrounded by wonderful people who possess self-respect and pride without any ego."