# Annu Kapoor

Annu Kapoor (born Anil Kapoor; 20 February 1956) is an Indian actor, singer, director, radio disc jockey, and television presenter who has appeared in over a hundred films, as well as television series. His career has spanned over 45 years as an actor, producer, director and singer. Besides acting, he also does a Radio show, named Suhaana Safar With Annu Kapoor which is broadcast on 92.7 Big FM. He has won numerous awards in his career, including two National Film Awards, one Filmfare Award and two Indian Television Academy Awards.

## Early life

Annu Kapoor was born Anil Kapoor in Itwara, Bhopal, Bhopal State, on 20 February 1956, to Madanlal, a Punjabi father with roots in Peshawar and Karnal, a Ghoti Brahmin mother. His father owned a travelling Parsi theatre company which performed in cities and towns, and his mother was an Urdu teacher and a trained classical singer. His grandfather Kripa Ram Kapoor was a doctor in the British Army and his great grandfather Lala Ganga Ram Kapoor, a revolutionary who was executed during the Indian freedom struggle.
Due to poor financial circumstances, he had to quit school following secondary education. With a salary of ₹ 40, his mother worked as a teacher. On his father's insistence, he joined his theatre company. Following a stint there, he joined National School of Drama in 1976, after his brother Ranjit Kapoor, who was already a student there insisted. After graduating from the National School of Drama and a brief stint with its repertory company, in 1981, he played a 70-year-old man in the play Ek Ruka Hua Faisla in Bombay (now Mumbai). Film director Shyam Benegal who saw Kapoor perform, sent him a letter of appreciation and signed him for his 1983 film, Mandi.
Kapoor's sister Seema Kapoor was briefly married to actor Om Puri. His elder brother, Ranjit, is a director and screenwriter and Seema is a producer and actor. Kapoor's younger brother, Nikhil, is a writer and lyricist.

## Personal life
### Relationships and family

Kapoor first married Anupama Patel, an American by birth, in 1992 & they divorced in 1993. Annu then was married to Arunita Mukherjee from 1995 to 2005. He remarried his first wife, Anupama (Pami), in 2008.
Kapoor has four children (three sons - Kavan, Maahir and Evaan - and a daughter, Aradhita) from two marriages.

### Religion

Born into a Hindu family, Kapoor considers himself to be an atheist.

## Career
### Acting

He made his screen debut Aadharshila (1982) during his days in Delhi, his debut in the professional film industry in Mumbai was in Mandi (1983) and BETAB Khandar (1984). He got his first breakthrough with Utsav (1984), in which he portrayed the role of Masseur. For which he got his first nomination in the Filmfare Awards in the category of Best Performance in a Comic Role. Subsequently he starred in many critically and commercially acclaimed films like Mr. India (1987), Tezaab (1988), Ram Lakhan (1990), Ghayal (1990), Hum (1991), Darr (1993), Sardar (1993), Om Jai Jagadish (2002), Aitraaz (2004) and 7 Khoon Maaf (2011).
Kapoor began his career as a stage actor in 1979 and was noticed in 1984's Ek Ruka Hua Faisla, directed by Basu Chatterjee and written by elder brother Ranjeet. Annu made his film debut in Mandi, (directed by Shyam Benegal) in 1983. His career has spanned over 30 years, including Bollywood cinema, television serials and game shows. Kapoor is best remembered for hosting the singing show Close-Up Antakshari, produced by Zee TV. His performance as an obsessive-compulsive sperm-bank physician in 2012's Vicky Donor met with critical and popular acclaim. He worked in the horror TV serial Kile ka Rahasya (1989) as a cop who was fond of singing.
Kapoor has also appeared in Yamla Pagla Deewana 2. His second big breakthrough came with Vicky Donor (2012), he portrayed the role of Dr. Baldev Chadha. His performance was lauded by critics and audiences, for which he won a Filmfare Award, a IIFA Award, a National Film Award, a Screen Award all in the category of Best Supporting Actor. After Vicky Donor, he starred in Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 (2013), Shaukeen (2014), Saat Uchakkey (2016), Jolly LLB 2 (2017), Missing (2018), Dream Girl (2019), Khuda Haafiz (2020) and Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari (2020).

### Television

In 2007, Antakshari – The National Challenge was relaunched on STAR One. The previous year, its "final" episode was telecast; the programme's initial run was from 1993 to 2006. His range of roles varies from portrayal as Saint Kabir in DD National TV serial of the same name, as Mahatma Gandhi in Sardar and Veer Savarkar in Kaala Pani, to police inspector in 7 Khoon Maaf, a petty thief in Utsav to comedic villain in Hum.
The Golden Era – With Annu Kapoor on the Mastiii channel is a nostalgia TV show about Indian cinema, adorned with classical era's Hindi film songs and commentary by Annu Kapoor on unheard tales of Bollywood Cinema's Legends.
Despite films, Annu has been very active in television shows. He is also known for judging and hosting the 90's musical show Antakshari (1993-2005) and Golden Era with Annu Kapoor (2011). He has also appeared in some television series like Param Vir Chakra (1988), Ajnabi (1994), Kabeer (1995), Gubbare (1999) etc.

### As a radio presenter

Currently, he does a radio programme on 92.7 Big FM called "Suhaana Safar with Annu Kapoor on 92.7 Big FM". It's a daily show that features nationally on the radio networks covering all Hindi speaking radio stations across the country. He recreates the magic of the Golden era with unforgettable melodies of that era and untold stories of the stars and films of the Hindi Cinema. The show comes with the tagline "Filmy Duniya Ki Kahi Ankahi Kahaniya".

### Director

Kapoor has directed several plays. He also directed a feature film Abhay (The Fearless), starring Nana Patekar, Moon Sen and Benjamin Gilani) for the Children's Film Society, India. The film won the 1995 National Film Award for Best Children's Film.

### Producer

Kapoor produced a musical talent contest for children (Aao Jhoomein Gaayen for SAB TV) and a Bengali-language musical talent-hunt show, Gaan Gaao Taaka Naao on Rupashi Bangla TV in Kolkata. He also produced a musical in Mathura entitled Ek Sunhari Shyam.

## Filmography
### Directed venture

| Year | Title | Notes |
| 1994 | Abhay - The Fearless | |

### Films

Key :
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 2025 | Jolly LLB 3 | Advocate Pramod Mathur | |
| 2024 | The Signature | | |
| 2024 | Hamare Baarah | Manzoor Ali Khan Sanjari | |
| 2024 | Shaitaan | Nitin Rishi | |
| 2024 | Luv Ki Arrange Marriage | Prem, Luv's father | |
| 2023 | Dry Day | Dauji | |
| 2023 | Sab Moh Maaya Hai | | |
| 2023 | Rules Ranjann | | Telugu film |
| 2023 | Non Stop Dhamaal | Satinder | |
| 2023 | Dream Girl 2 | Jagjit Singh | |
| 2021 | Chehre | Anand Mahant | |
| 2020 | Darbaan | Narrator | Released on Zee5 |
| 2020 | Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari | Shantaram Kaka | |
| 2020 | Khuda Haafiz | Usman Hamid Ali Murad | |
| 2019 | Dream Girl | Jagjit Singh | |
| 2019 | Khandaani Shafakhana | Baby's uncle | |
| 2019 | The Fakir of Venice | Sattar | |
| 2018 | Mangal Ho | Giani Zail Singh | |
| 2018 | Missing | Inspector Ramkhilawan Buddhu | |
| 2018 | Ba Baa Black Sheep | Brian Morris/Santa Claus | |
| 2017 | Jolly LLB 2 | Advocate Pramod Mathur | |
| 2016 | Saat Uchakkey | | |
| 2015 | Dharam Sankat Mein | Adv. Nawab Mehmood Shah | |
| 2015 | Miss Tanakpur Haazir Ho | Sualaal Gandass | |
| 2014 | Shaukeen | | |
| 2014 | Saat Uchakkey | | |
| 2014 | Kisi Ne Titli Ko Dekha Hai Kya | | |
| 2014 | Jai Ho Democracy | | |
| 2014 | Muavza | Bechu Bhai | |
| 2014 | Badlapur Boys | | |
| 2013 | Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 | Sir Yograj Khanna | |
| 2012 | Vicky Donor | Dr. Baldev Chaddha | |
| 2012 | Gali Gali Chor Hai | Constable Parasuram Khuswa | |
| 2011 | 7 Khoon Maaf | Inspector Keemat Lal | |
| 2004 | Aitraaz | Barrister Ram Chauthrani | |
| 2004 | Raincoat | Landlord | |
| 2004 | Kuch To Gadbad Hai | Justice Balwant Khanna | |
| 2002 | Om Jai Jagadish | KK | |
| 2002 | Hum Kisise Kum Nahin | Munnu Mobile | |
| 2000 | Tune Mera Dil Le Liyaa | K.K.'s assistant | |
| 1999 | Arjun Pandit | Imran | |
| 1999 | Kachche Dhaage | | |
| 1997 | Udaan | Anand Lagpade | |
| 1996 | Vijeta | Constable Chamanlal | |
| 1996 | Kala Pani | Vinayak Damodar Savarkar | Malayalam Film |
| 1995 | Anokha Andaaz | Charlie | |
| 1995 | Jawab | | |
| 1994 | Sardar | Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi | |
| 1994 | Drohkaal | Surinder | |
| 1993 | Darr | Vikram "Vicky" Oberoi | |
| 1993 | Gardish | Manishbhai Harishbhai | |
| 1993 | Waqt Hamara Hai | Cafeteria supervisor | |
| 1993 | Dil Ki Baazi | Bihari Daulatram's cook | |
| 1993 | Shreemaan Aashique | Masterji (song "Is Se Jyada Dukh Na Koi") | |
| 1992 | Muskurahat | Jaggan | |
| 1992 | Paayal | Pardesi | |
| 1992 | Jeena Marna Tere Sang | | |
| 1991 | Ranbhoomi | Stationmaster | |
| 1991 | Vishnu-Devaa | Petty thief | |
| 1991 | Hum | Havaldar Arjun Singh | |
| 1991 | Jamai Raja | Paltu/I.C. Mishra | |
| 1991 | Yodha | Umeed Singh | |
| 1990 | Ghayal | Drunkard | |
| 1990 | Aawaz De Kahan Hai | Hariya (AKA Harry) | |
| 1990 | Pyasi Nigahen | Susheel | |
| 1990 | Veeru Dada | Ibrahim Gharewali | |
| 1990 | Zakhmi Zameen | Madhav | |
| 1989 | ChaalBaaz | Daya Tribhuvan's servant | |
| 1989 | Elaan-E-Jung | | |
| 1989 | Dost | Forest officer | |
| 1989 | Aakhri Gulam | | |
| 1989 | Main Azaad Hoon | Munna | |
| 1989 | Ram Lakhan | Shiv Charan Mathur | |
| 1988 | The Perfect Murder | Tiny man | |
| 1988 | Gunahon Ka Faisla | Dinu | |
| 1988 | Khoon Bahaa Ganga Mein | | |
| 1988 | Tezaab | Abbas Ali Guldasta | |
| 1987 | Diljalaa | Fakir Baba | |
| 1987 | Mr. India | Mr. Gaitonde (editor) | |
| 1987 | Susman | Lakshmaya | |
| 1986 | Chameli Ki Shaadi | Chhadami Lal | |
| 1986 | Ek Ruka Hua Faisla | Juror #9 | |
| 1985 | Arjun | Babu Ram | |
| 1985 | Damul | Sanjeevan | |
| 1984 | Utsav | Masseur | |
| 1984 | Khandhar | Anil | |
| 1984 | Mashaal | Nagesh | |
| 1983 | Betaab | Chelaram | |
| 1983 | Mandi | | |

### Television

| Programme | Notes |
| Khari-Khari | Rajendra Bhatia |
| Darpan (two stories) | Basu Chatterji |
| Pathrai Aankhon Ke Sapne (Tele Film) | Pramod Soni |
| Phatichar | Dr Quack |
| Kabir | Anil Chaudry |
| Satya Ray Presents (one story) | Satyajit Ray |
| Param Vir Chakra | Chetan Anand |
| Quile Ka Rahasya | Seema Kapoor |
| Close Up Antakshari | Gajendra Singh |
| Chekhov Ki Duniya (one story) | Ranjit Kapoor |
| Idea Jalsa | By Durga Jasraj |
| Wheel Smart Shrimati | For Doordarshan |
| Junoon Kuch Kar Dikhane Ka | Gajendra Singh |
| Ek Se Badkar Ek | Chota Packet |
| Bada Dhamaka | Ki Funshala |
| Golden Era With Annu Kapoor | Mastiii |
| Itihaas Gavah Hai(Voice Over) | News24 |
| Paurashpur | ALTBalaji |
| Crash Course | Amazon Prime Video |

### Radio (RJ)

| Show | Radio Station Name |
| Suhaana Safar With Annu Kapoor | 92.7 Big FM |

### Theatre
#### Parsi theatre

* Laila Majnu
* Harischandra
* Shirin-Farhad
* Bhakta Prahlad
* Shree Krishna Avtar
* Dahi Wali
* Qatl-e-Tamizan

#### Modern plays

* Antim Yatra: Directed by Barry John
* Three Sisters: Written by Anton Chekhov, directed by E. Alkazi
* The Great God Brown by Eugene O'Neill
* The Zoo Story by Edward Albee
* Ek Ruka Hua Faisla

## Awards

| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
| 1986 | Filmfare Awards | Best Performance in a Comic Role | Utsav | Nominated |
| 1994 | V. Shantaram Award | Best Director | Abhay | Won |
| 1994 | National Film Awards | Best Children’s Film | Abhay | Won |
| 2002 | Indian Telly Awards | Best Anchor | Antakshari | Nominated |
| 2003 | Indian Telly Awards | Best Anchor | Antakshari | Nominated |
| 2003 | ITA Awards | Best Anchor | Antakshari | Won |
| 2004 | ITA Awards | Best Anchor | Antakshari | Won |
| 2013 | Apsara Awards | Best Actor in a Comic Role | Vicky Donor | Won |
| 2013 | IIFA Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Vicky Donor | Won |
| 2013 | IIFA Awards | Best Performance in a Comic Role | Vicky Donor | Nominated |
| 2013 | Filmfare Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Vicky Donor | Won |
| 2013 | National Film Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Vicky Donor | Won |
| 2013 | Screen Awards | Best Comedian | Vicky Donor | Won |
| 2013 | Times of India Film Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Vicky Donor | Won |
| 2013 | Zee Cine Awards | Best Actor in a Comic Role | Vicky Donor | Nominated |
| 2014 | Stardust Awards | Best Supporting Actor | The Shaukeens | Nominated |
| 2017 | Zee Cine Awards | Best Actor in a Negative Role | Jolly LLB 2 | Nominated |
| 2018 | Indian Television Academy Awards | Best Actor in a Web Series | Home | Nominated |
| 2018 | Streaming Awards | Best Actor | Home | Won |

## Footnotes

* ↑ Annu Kapoor's real name was Anil Kapoor, he changed his name to avoid confusion with Anil Kapoor.
* ↑ Tied with Nikhil Chinapa
* ↑ Tied with Abhishek Bachchan