subject: Indian Actor Anil Kapoor's Biography [print this page] Anil Kapoor is one of the most versatile Indian actors. He started his career in 1979, and since then he has acted in more than 100 movies. He has also produced 5 movies. He got international acclaim with his role in SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE and the American television series 24.
Name: Anil Kapoor
Born: 24th December, 1959
Occupation: Actor, Producer
Years Active: 1979- Present
Spouses: Sunita Kapoor (1984- Present)
Early Life
Anil was born on 24th December 1959, to Surinder and Nirmal Kapoor. He spent his early life living in a chawl in Chembur, Mumbai. The Punjabi speaking Anil studied at Our Lady of Perpetual Succor School and later went to St. Xaviers College. Since childhood he was fond of watching movies and his idol was Raj Kapoor. He was thrown out of college because he never attended. After a failed attempt to get into the Pune Film Institute, Anil finally joined Roshan Taneja's Acting School.
Career
As an Actor
1980's
Anil's first film was HAMARE TUMHARE (1979), where he had a supporting role. His first big break as a main lead was in WOH SAAT DIN. His portrayal in the film was so natural and innocent that he stole the hearts of one and all. Soon after, Anil got a chance to work with the legend Dilip Kumar in Yash Chopra's MASHAAL (1984). Anil delivered a power packed performance in this movie as a tapori and it landed him his first ever Filmfare award. His next release SAAHEB (1985) was a box office success and his performance as a middleclass sports person was revered. In the same year he acted in MERI JUNG, another box office hit.
In 1986, he did movies like JANBAAZ, the rib-tickling comedy CHAMELI KI SHAADI, INSAAF KI AWAAZ and the biggest hit of the year KARMA, in which he played a tapori. In 1987, Anil Kapoor gave one of his career best performances in MR. INDIA, which made him a superstar. Anil won his first Filmfare award in the Best Actor category in 1988 for his powerful performance in TEZAAB. The next year he delivered another box office super hit with RAM LAKHAN (1989). The song 'One, Two ka Four' became and rage and so did Anil. His showed his versatility as an actor again with PARINDA (1989), RAKHWALA (1989), and ESHWAR (1989).
1990's
In 1990, Anil showed his acting prowess in KISHEN KANHAIYA, GHAR HO TO AISA and AWAARGI. His role in AWAARGI was considered his best performance by the critics. His next movie was LAMHE (1991) directed by Yash Chopra, and his acting was appreciated, even though the film was a box office failure. Anil, won his second Filmfare award in the Best actor category for his riveting performance in BETA, also starring Madhuri Dixit. In 1992, he was again paired opposite Madhuri in a comic act in KHEL. However, his movies like ROOP KI RANI CHORON KA RAJA (1993) and TRIMURTI (1995), proved to be failures at the box office.
But he gave a superb performance in 1942: A LOVE STORY (1994), opposite Manisha Koirala and LAADLA (1994), alongside Sridevi. After that Anil Kapoor acted in many successful movies like LOAFER (1996), JUDAAI (1997), DEEWANA MASTANA (1997), BIWI NO. 1 (1999) and HUM AAPKE DIL MEIN REHTE HAIN (1999). What came as a shock to his fans and Bollywood alike was Anil's role in TAAL (1999). He played the role of an eccentric musical superstar and it won him rave reviews. His roles in VIRASAT (1997) and JHOOTH BOLE KAUWA KAATE (1998) were well- appreciated.
2000's
Anil Kapoor won his first National Film Award in the Best Actor category for PUKAR in 2000. In the same year he did movies like KAROBAAR, HAMARA DIL AAPKE PAAS HAI and BULANDI. In 2001, Anil delivered one of his career's best performances in NAYAK. In 2002, Anil Kapoor starred in RISHTEY, BADHAAI HO BADHAAI, a remake of NUTTY PROFESSOR, and OM JAI JAGDISH, Anupam Kher's directorial debut. Anil starred alongside superstar Amitabh Bachchan for the first time in ARMAAN (2003). Anil gave back to back stunning performances in CALCUTTA MAIL (2003), MUSAFIR (2004), MY WIFE'S MURDER (2005), and CHOCOLATE (2005). In 2005, Anil Kapoor delivered a rib- tickling performance in NO-ENTRY, that year's highest grossing film. His other box office successes were WELCOME (2007) and RACE (2008). Anil also acted in SALAAME - E - ISHQ - A TRIBUTE TO LOVE (2007), BLACK AND WHITE (2008), TASHAN (2008) and YUVRAAJ (2008), movies which proved to be box office failures.
Anil Kapoor's most recent and successful movie was the Oscar winning movie SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (2008), his first English language film. The movie won many awards internationally. Anil won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture and also won a nomination for Best Ensemble at the Black Reel Awards, 2008.
In 2010, Anil Kapoor acted in an award-winning American television series, 24, starring Kiefer Sutherland. He essayed the role of Omar Hassan, President of the fictional Islamic Republic of Kamlistan.
As a Producer
Anil Kapoor has produced five films till date. His first film as a producer was BADHAAI HO BADHAAI (2002), but it was a box office disaster. His second production was a thriller MY WIFE'S MURDER (2005) and it didn't fare well in the theaters. His third film as a producer was GANDHI, MY FATHER, (2007) starring Akshaye Khanna won him his second National Film Award - Special Jury Award/ Special Mention (Feature Film). However, this film again failed to be a commercial success. His fourth film as a producer SHORTKUT-THE CON IN ON (2009), starring Akshaye Khanna and Arshad Warsi, again failed at the box office. His latest production was AISHA (2010), starring his elder daughter Sonam Kapoor and co -produced by younger daughter Rhea Kapoor. It did average business at the box office.
Personal Life
Anil Kapoor's father Surinder Kapoor is a film producer. He has a sister Reena, and two brothers Boney and Sanjay. Boney Kapoor, Anil's elder brother is a film producer and is married to Sridevi and younger brother Sanjay is an actor. Anil married Sunita Kapoor in 1984, and they have two daughters, Sonam Kapoor and Rhea Kapoor and a son Harshvardhan Kapoor.
