Annu Kapoor (born Anil Kapoor; 20 February 1956)[a] 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.[5] He has won numerous awards in his career, including two National Film Awards, one Filmfare Award and two Indian Television Academy Awards.

Annu Kapoor
Annu in 2016
Born
Anil Kapoor

(1956-02-20) 20 February 1956 (age 68)
Alma materNational School of Drama
Occupations
  • Actor
  • television presenter
  • radio presenter
  • singer
  • director
  • producer
Years active1979–present
Spouses
Anupama Patel
(m. 1992; div. 1993)

(m. 2008)
Arunita Mukherjee
(m. 1995; div. 2005)
Children4
RelativesOm Puri (brother-in-law)
Websiteannukapoor.com

Early life

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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.[6] 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.[7]

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.[7][8]

Kapoor's sister Seema Kapoor was briefly married to actor Om Puri.[9][10] 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

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Kapoor first married Anupama Patel, an American by birth, in 1992 & they divorced in 1993.[11] Annu then was married to Arunita Mukherjee from 1995 to 2005. He remarried his first wife, Anupama (Pami), in 2008.[12]

Kapoor has four children (three sons - Kavan, Maahir and Evaan - and a daughter, Aradhita) from two marriages.[13]

Career

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Acting

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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.[14] 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).[15][16]

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.[17] 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.[18] 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).[19][20][21][22]

Television

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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.[23]

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).[24] He has also appeared in some television series like Param Vir Chakra (1988), Ajnabi (1994), Kabeer (1995), Gubbare (1999) etc.[25]

As a radio presenter

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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

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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.[26][27]

Producer

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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.[28]

Filmography

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Directed venture

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Year Title Notes
1994 Abhay - The Fearless

Films

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Key
Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Film Role Notes
2024 The Signature [29]
Hamare Baarah Manzoor Ali Khan Sanjari [30]
Luv Ki Arrange Marriage Prem, Luv's father [31]
2023 Dry Day Dauji
Sab Moh Maaya Hai
Rules Ranjann Telugu film
Non Stop Dhamaal Satinder
Dream Girl 2 Jagjit Singh
2021 Chehre Anand Mahant
2020 Darbaan Narrator Released on Zee5
Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari Shantaram Kaka
Khuda Haafiz Usman Hamid Ali Murad
2019 Dream Girl Jagjeet Singh
Khandaani Shafakhana Baby's uncle
The Fakir of Venice Sattar
2018 Mangal Ho Gyanii Jail Singh
Missing Inspector Buddhu
Ba Baa Black Sheep Brian Morris/Santa Claus
2017 Jolly LLB 2 Adv. Pramod Mathur
2016 Saat Uchakkey
2015 Dharam Sankat Mein Adv. Nawab Mehmood Shah
Miss Tanakpur Haazir Ho Sualaal Gandass
2014 Shaukeen
Saat Uchakkey
Kisi Ne Titli Ko Dekha Hai Kya
Jai Ho Democracy
Muavza Bechu Bhai
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
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

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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)

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

Theatre

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Parsi theatre

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

Modern plays

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Awards

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Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref(s)
1986 Filmfare Awards Best Performance in a Comic Role Utsav Nominated [32]
1994 V. Shantaram Award Best Director Abhay Won [33]
National Film Awards Best Children’s Film Won [34]
2002 Indian Telly Awards Best Anchor Antakshari Nominated [35]
2003 Nominated [36]
ITA Awards Best Anchor Won [b] [37]
2004 Won [38]
2013 Apsara Awards Best Actor in a Comic Role Vicky Donor Won [39]
IIFA Awards Best Supporting Actor Won [40]
Best Performance in a Comic Role Nominated
Filmfare Awards Best Supporting Actor Won [41]
National Film Awards Best Supporting Actor Won [42]
Screen Awards Best Comedian Won [c] [43]
Times of India Film Awards Best Supporting Actor Won [44]
Zee Cine Awards Best Actor in a Comic Role Nominated [45]
2014 Stardust Awards Best Supporting Actor The Shaukeens Nominated [46]
2017 Zee Cine Awards Best Actor in a Negative Role Jolly LLB 2 Nominated [47]
2018 Indian Television Academy Awards Best Actor in a Web Series Home Nominated [48]
Streaming Awards Best Actor Won [49]

Footnotes

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  1. ^ Annu Kapoor's real name was Anil Kapoor, he changed his name to avoid confusion with Anil Kapoor.[1][2][3][4]
  2. ^ Tied with Nikhil Chinapa
  3. ^ Tied with Abhishek Bachchan

References

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  1. ^ "Birthday Special: अन्नू कपूर का असली नाम है अनिल कपूर, 4 की जगह 10 हजार का चैक मिला तो बदलना पड़ा नाम". patrika.com (in Hindi). Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  2. ^ Tripathi, Shailaja (9 April 2016). "Master raconteur". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  3. ^ "Do You Know: Annu Kapoor's real name is Anil Kapoor & he got Anil's fees in Mashaal! – Filmy Fenil". Filmy Fenil. 29 August 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  4. ^ "Annu Kapoor's name was Anil Kapoor! – Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  5. ^ "Suhana Safar with Annu Kapoor Take-2". Big FM.
  6. ^ Sen, Vishal अन्नू कपूर की संक्षिप्त जीवनी: युवा लड़के से सफल व्यक्ति तक, 2018
  7. ^ a b "Annu Kapoor: I would rather die than cheat my wife". The Times of India. 1 November 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  8. ^ "Annu Kapoor's Biography". koimoi.com. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  9. ^ "Om Puri to star in his first wife Seema Kapoor's film". Mid Day. 31 August 2016.
  10. ^ Sinha, Seema (6 September 2013). "It was painful to see my sister suffer: Annu Kapoor". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  11. ^ "Annu Kapoor poses with wife Anupama Kapoor during the premiere of Bollywood movie Dharam Sankat Mein, held at PVR, in Mumbai". The Times of India. 9 April 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  12. ^ Dasgupta, Priyanka (19 June 2012). "Why are divorced Indians remarrying their exes? - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  13. ^ "Anu Kapoor's son Anushuman and wife Anupama during Anu Kapoor's b'day bash at Wild Wild West Restaurant in Mumbai". The Times of India. 22 February 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  14. ^ "Utsav (1984)". Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). 23 August 1984. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  15. ^ "Ram Lakhan (1989) - Lifetime Box Office Collection, Budget & Reviews". BOTY. 11 July 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  16. ^ "Ram Lakhan: Where good wins over evil". Rediff. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  17. ^ "Annu Kapoor: Basu dada never asked for too many takes". mid-day. 5 June 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  18. ^ "Vicky Donor Movie Review". The Times of India. 20 April 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  19. ^ Sharma, Dipti (9 February 2017). "Akshay Kumar is the most commercially viable superstar, says Annu Kapoor". The Indian Express.
  20. ^ "Vidyut Jammwal starrer Khuda Haafiz to release on Disney Plus Hotstar". The Indian Express. 29 June 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  21. ^ Thakur, Charu (13 September 2019). "Dream Girl Movie Review: Ayushmann Khurrana film is ROFL all the way. But that's all". India Today. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
  22. ^ Guha, Kunal GuhaKunal (13 November 2020). "Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari review: This Manoj Bajpayee, Diljit Dosanjh and Fatima Sana Shaikh-starrer doesn't employ your brains too much but leaves largely satisfied". Mumbai Mirror. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  23. ^ The Golden Era with Annu Kapoor, Montage on Vimeo
  24. ^ "'Colgate Maxfresh Antakshari - The Great Challenge Little Stars' starts 4 June 7.30pm only on Star Plus". Indian Television Dot Com. 31 May 2007. Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  25. ^ Randor Guy (14 June 2007). "Maker of innovative, meaningful movies". The Hindu. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  26. ^ ABHAY (The Fearless) Children's Film Society India
  27. ^ "42nd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  28. ^ Laghate, Gaurav (4 January 2013). "STAR Jalsha, JALSHA Movies, Ruposhi Bangla garner record ratings". Business Standard India.
  29. ^ "The Signature: Meet Annu Kapoor as Prabhakar in the new poster of Anupam Kher's film". OTTPlay. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  30. ^ "Annu Kapoor's Hum Do Hamare Baarah 'not targeting any community': Director reacts to criticism". Hindustan Times. 8 August 2022.
  31. ^ "Luv Ki Arrange Marriage: Sunny Singh-Avneet Kaur starrer to release on ZEE5". Bollywood Hungama. 1 June 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  32. ^ "Best Lyricist (Popular)". Filmfare Awards Official wlistings, Indiatimes. Archived from the original on 18 May 2011. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  33. ^ "V. Shantaram Awards Ceremony". Event FAQs. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  34. ^ National Film Award for Best Children's Film
  35. ^ "Telly awards 2002 Popular Awards nominees". Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  36. ^ "Telly awards 2003 Popular Awards winners". Archived from the original on 15 September 2018. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  37. ^ "GR8! TV Magazine - THE INDIAN TELEVISION ACADEMY AWARDS, 2003". gr8mag.com. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  38. ^ "GR8! TV Magazine - THE INDIAN TELEVISION ACADEMY AWARDS, 2004". gr8mag.com. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  39. ^ "Star Guild Awards 2013: Salman Khan Debuts as Host; Vidya Balan, Ranbir Kapoor Win Best Actors Awards [Full List of Winners]". International Business Times. 17 February 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  40. ^ "IIFA Awards 2013: The winners are finally here!". Zee News. 7 July 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  41. ^ "58th Idea Filmfare Awards nominations are here!". Filmfare Awards. 13 January 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  42. ^ "60th National Film Awards: The list of winners". News18. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  43. ^ "Winners of 19th Annual Colors Screen Awards". Bollywood Hungama. 12 January 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  44. ^ "TOIFA 2016: Full Nomaination List". International Business Times. 27 February 2016.
  45. ^ Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Comic Role
  46. ^ "Stardust Awards 2015: List of Winners". NDTVMovies.com. 12 January 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  47. ^ "2018 Archives – Zee Cine Awards". Zee Cine Awards. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  48. ^ ITA 2018 Winners List: Supriya Pilgoankar, Annu Kapoor wins big!
  49. ^ "Winners List: Streaming Awards, September 2018 Edition". YouTube. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021.
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