MUMBAI: India’s veteran actor, Jitendra celebrates his 80th birthday today. The actor was one of the biggest superstars of his time. The dignitary has left his footprints in the world of Bollywood and has also appeared in south films quite frequently. The actor often recalls how he has to stay away from his family at the southern tip of India while his wife, Shobha would bring Ekta Kapoor and Tusshar Kapoor during the weekends to meet him.

When Jitendra visited The Kapil Sharma Show, the actor recalled one of the most drastic incidences of his life of being saved from the 1976 Indian Airlines flight crash which let to 96 casualties. Jitendra came to know that his flight has been delayed, which was initially scheduled for 7 pm. Apparently, the day also happened to be religious occasion Karva Chauth. The actor thought he could go home and assist his wife to complete the divine ritual.

Jitendra shares saying, “Maine phir Shobha ko ghar pe phone kiya. Maine kaha flight delayed hai, abhi jaa rahi hai 8.30-9 baje. Chand nikal raha hai ki nahi nikal raha hai dekh lo, khatam kar lete hai kissa (Then I called Shobha and told her that my flight was been delayed by two hours. Check if the moon is visible or not and lets complete the ritual.).”

Jitendra, after reaching home saw a ball of fire in the sky while he was waiting in the balcony for the moonrise. “Mere balcony se dekhta hoon ek aag ka gola aise aise jaa raha hai (I saw from my balcony, a ball of fire in the sky). It went towards the airport and…,” he said.

Just after the incident took place, Jitendra’s phone began ringing continuously. People who knew about the incident were trying to check on him. “My ticket is there, I am supposed to go, that flight crashed,” he said. The plane accident caused 96 casualties along with his co-star, Rani Chandra.

Credits: The Indian Express