Father's Day 2022 Exclusive: Former child artist Rahul Singh aka Master Rinku recalls fond memories with on-screen dad Jeetendra

On the eve of Father’s Day today (June 17), former child artist Rahul Singh aka Master Rinku opened up about his fond memories with veteran actor Jeetendra who had played his onscreen father in many memorable films. In an exclusive interview with Desimartini, Rahul recalled his experiences with the actor while working together in their films like Tohfa , Balidaan, Haatim Tai, and Ansoo Bane Angarey. He also shared with us a rare throwback picture with Jeetendra from the sets of one of their film, Tohfa.

Talking about the same, Rahul Singh said, “I remember meeting first-time Jeetu Ji on the set of the movie Tohfa in Madras. It was challenging as two kids were not able to perform on camera so I was the third one to be cast to play his son. After some takes, Jeetuji was very confident in me. Told to the director the ‘yeah bachcha karlega’. Then my association with Jeetuji started. We were shooting almost for a month with Jeetu Ji and other casts including Jaya Pradah and Sridevi Ji. Jeetu Ji used to bring chocolates for me and we used to share the same fruit plate which Jeetu Ji used to like with some biscuits.” Take a look at the picture of the duo from the sets of the film Tohfa (1984).

Rahul Singh went on to add, “I remember during the Tohfa song shoot ‘Albela Mausam’, the dance master showed me some steps and I was not able to do them since I was too young to understand. Jeetu Ji patiently waited on set and then he told the dance master to let him be free like a kid and let him do what he like. This was such a sweet thing said by such a big star to support me and make me feel that I am doing my best. The best moment for me was when Jeetu Ji took my family along with him in Madras on the silver Jubilee success of Tohfa.”

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Furthermore recalling Jeetendra’s humility and grounded persona, Rahul Singh aka Master Rinku said, “One more incident that I remember is that again Jeetu Ji was playing my father in Balidaan movie featuring Sridevi Ji. I remember we were supposed to catch a flight from Hyderabad to Mumbai after finishing the full schedule. I was with Jeetu Ji in the same car. We got late, stuck in traffic. When we reached the airport, the flight was on hold for almost 15 minutes and was waiting for Jeetu Ji. That time I felt like a star as I was with Jeetu Ji. But what best part is the goodwill of Jeetu Ji that everyone waited patiently in the airport for him. As sir was very humble and apologized for being late which was not his fault. After playing his son in Tohfa, Balidaan, Apne Apne. I played young Jeetu Ji in Khudgarz and that movie made me known everywhere as young Jeetu Ji."

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Lastly, Rahul went on to say that he had spent a greater part of his childhood with Jeetendra instead of his own father. He said, “Later sir did casting of my in his home production movie Tamacha I played young Jeetu Ji. I got Mar Mitenge and Daav Pech to play young Jeetu Ji and was recommended by sir. I did Haatim Tai also with sir, and finally, Aanso Bane Angarey which was my last movie as a child artist with Jeetu Ji. Jeetu Ji used to tell everyone that isko bachchpan se jawan hone tak meri filmon mein hamesha raha. That is a big compliment to me. My childhood was spent more with my reel father Jeetu Ji than with my own father. Much later I met Jeetu Ji at his home. Sir was very happy and gave me blessings and told me that whatever your heart says you do, don’t be under pressure to prove others.” For the unversed, Rahul Singh is currently dabbling as an actor, filmmaker, and digital creator.