Renowned for his villainous roles in Bollywood during the 1970s and 1980s, veteran actor Ranjeet provided insights into the lively social gatherings within the industry at that time.
Despite portraying characters indulging in alcohol and smoking on screen, Ranjeet disclosed in an interview that he has remained a teetotaler throughout his life, reminiscing about hosting frequent gatherings at his Juhu residence while his parents resided in Delhi.
In these gatherings, leading actors like Reena Roy, Parveen Babi, Moushumi Chatterjee, and Neetu Kapoor contributed to the vibrant atmosphere by preparing delicious dishes for the guests. Ranjeet recalled the specialties each actor would make, creating a memorable ambiance filled with camaraderie.
Among the male stars attending these gatherings were Sunil Dutt, Raaj Kumar, Sanjay Khan, Feroz Khan, Dharmendra, and Shatrughan Sinha, adding to the lively atmosphere.
Ranjeet vividly described the revelry, mentioning how actors like Rajesh Khanna would consume copious amounts of alcohol during these gatherings, despite Ranjeet himself abstaining from alcohol.
Highlighting the unique rhythm of the industry, Ranjeet shared that the heroes typically wouldn’t start their day before 2 pm, even for a 10 am shoot, preferring to arrive at lunchtime and then commence shooting after lunch.
On the career front, Ranjeet’s impactful performances in movies such as Dharmatama, Namak Halaal, Sharaabi, and Lawaris have left an enduring legacy in Indian cinema. Additionally, his son Jeeva recently debuted in acting in 2022 with the film “Govinda Naam Mera,” featuring Vicky Kaushal, Kiara Advani, and Bhumi Pednekar.
