Mumbai’s film industry is full of underdog tales, but Annu Kapoor’s rise stands out. Hailing from Bhopal, the actor—real name Anil Kapoor—was born into a thespian family on February 20, 1956. With a theater-running father and Urdu-teaching mother, creativity was home, but poverty was a constant companion, leading him to abandon formal education early.
Annu’s passion led him to the stage and eventually NSD, where a pivotal moment defined his destiny. Portraying a septuagenarian at age 22 in a theater production, he mesmerized viewers and directors alike. Shyam Benegal, witnessing the prodigy, signed him for ‘Mandi,’ marking his cinematic debut and catapulting him into the spotlight.
From there, Annu never looked back. ‘Utsav’ in 1984 brought recognition, followed by unforgettable appearances in ‘Mr. India’ as the bumbling villain, ‘Tezaab,’ and ‘Ram Lakhan.’ His flair for comedy and distinctive voice made him indispensable. In 2012, ‘Vicky Donor’ sealed his legacy with a National Award for his hilarious yet heartfelt doctor role.
Venturing into television with ‘Antakshari’ and radio, Annu built a multifaceted career. Over 40 years on, he’s still going strong, embodying resilience and raw talent that redefined character acting in Bollywood.