One of the biggest stars of 1980s and 90s Anil Kapoor stands as a veteran of Indian cinema, known for his versatility across Bollywood, international films, and television. With a career spanning over four decades, he has acted in more than 100 films and produced several projects.
Early Life
Anil Kapoor was born on December 24, 1956, in Chembur, Mumbai into a Punjabi family. His father, Surinder Kapoor was a film producer and previously served as Shammi Kapoor’s secretary. His mother, Nirmal Kapoor, managed the household. Anil has three siblings: elder brother Boney Kapoor, a producer; younger brother Sanjay Kapoor, an actor; and sister Reena Kapoor, married to Sandeep Marwah of Marwah Studios. The family initially lived in Raj Kapoor’s garage before moving to a chawl in Tilak Nagar, Mumbai.
Anil attended Our Lady of Perpetual Succour High School in Chembur, an all-boys academy. He later enrolled at St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, to study commerce. But his Low attendance led to his expulsion. He also failed the written entrance exam for the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune. Anil’s passion for acting emerged early.
At 12, he acted in the unreleased film Tu Payal Mein Geet, playing a young Shashi Kapoor. His official Bollywood debut came in 1979 with a small role in Hamare Tumhare, a romantic drama by Umesh Mehra. In 1980, he starred as a lead in the Telugu film Vamsa Vruksham, directed by Bapu.
In Hindi, Anil did a few more supporting roles in films like Lekh Tandon’s Ek Baar Kaho (1980). Interestingly, the film stars Shabana Azmi, who was a family friend. It was Shabana with whom young Anil shared his desire to be an actor. Shabana asked him, First, you should learn to laugh with your eyes open. He also had a small role in Bapu’s Hum Paanch (1980).
In 1981, Anil starred in MS Sathyu’s “Kahan Kahan Se Guzar Gaya,” a cult classic. The film is widely praised for its innovative storytelling and cinematography by Nemai Ghosh.
In 1982, he acted alongside Dilip Kumar in Shakti as the son of Amitabh Bacahhan. In 1983, he made his Kannada debut as a lead in Mani Ratnam’s “Pallavi Anu Pallavi,” a complicated romantic drama. The film also stars Lakshmi Kiran Vairale and Vikram Makandar. The film was also the debut of Mani Ratnam.
Breakthrough
In 1983, he got his first Hindi lead role in Bapu’s Woh Saat Din with Padmini Kolhapure and Naseeruddin Shah.The film tells the story of young musician who falls in love with the daughter of his landlord. The film was sleeper hit and introduced Anil as a ucoming talent. The film later inspired Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam.
His career saw a turning point with Yash Chopra’s action drama Mashaal (1984), for which he won his first Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. In the film he played the role of a wayward youth who was mentored by an honest journalist played by Dilip Kumar. Their roles were reversed in the second half when Anil became a law-abiding citizen while Dilip Kumar’s character became a criminal to avenge the atrocities inflicted on him.
In 1985 he starred in Subhash Ghai‘s Meri Jung (1985) with Meenakshi Sheshadri, Nutan and Amrish Puri. The film was big success and established Anil as a force to reckon with. The same year he starred in Rajeev Rai’s Yudh. His iconic line “Jhakaas” from the film became a cultural catchphrase. He again worked with Subhash Gahi in multistarrer Karma (1986), and the blockbuster Ram Lakhan (1989). In 1987, Anil starred opposite Sridevi in “Mr. India.” In the film Anil portrayed a poor music teacher with a heart of gold who take care of ten orphans. His life changed when he foound his father’s formula which could turn him invisible. The sci-fi blockbuster by directed by Shekhar Kapur, and writen by Javed Akhtar, cemented his superstardom.
Anil Kapoor The star
In 1988, he starred with Madhuri in N. Chandra’s Tezaab (1988), which was a big hit. The film’s highlights include the intensityu of Anil Kapoor’s acting and Madhuri’s dance. Tezaab also brought him his first Filmfare Best Actor Award. Anil then starred in K. Vishwanath’s drama Eeshwar (1989), where he played a mentaly under developed character. His portrayal gets immense critical acclaim for it its vulnerability and innoccence.
Some of his other notable films include Saaheb (1985), Janbaaz (1986), Chameli Ki Shaadi (1986), Kasam (1988), Vijay (1988), Ghar Ho To Aisa (1990), Awaargi (1990), Benaam Badsha (1991), and many more.,
After the success of Ram Lakhan and Tezaab his pairing with Madhuri became very popular. The duo beautifully complemented each other in every department. Some of their other notable films inlcude Parinda (1989), Kishan Kanhaiya (1990), Jeevan Ek Sanghursh (1990), Jamai Raja (1990), Pratikar (1991), Khel (1992), Zindagi Ek Juaa (1992) among others. Their biggest success came with Indra Kumar’s Beta which went on to become a huge hit. Their song “Dhak Dhak Karne Laga,” was a rage in its time.
Kapoor’s pairing with Sridevi was alo legebdary. They worked in many movies like Ram-Avtar (1988), Lamhe (1991), Heer Ranjha (1992), Gurudev (1993), Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (1993), Laadla (1994), Mr. Bechara (1996), and Judaai (1997).
Anil Kapoor – Mr Dependable
In the 1990s Anil starred in many critically acclaimed films. One of his most memorable film was Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 1942: A Love Story (1994). The film was set during the Indian independence struggle. It is also remembered for its beautiful songs like “Ek Ladki Ko Dekha,” and “Kuch Na Kaho.” In 1997 he starred in Priyadarshan’s Virasat (1997), a remake of the Tamil film Thevar Magan. Anil showed immense depth and versatality in the role. From a foreign returned carefree young to a respected village leader, his acting range earned a Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor. He also starred in many successful comedies like Andaz (1994), Deewana Mastana (1997), Gharwali Baharwali (1998), and many more.
In the late 90s he started experimenting with his roles. He started playing important supporting roles in films iek Taal (1999),Biwi No. 1 (1999), and Lajja (2001). These roles warned him many awards and immense critical acclaim. At the same time he continue to act as a lead in many commercially successful films include Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain (1999), Pukar (2000), Nayak (2001), and No Entry (2005).
His transition is still ongoing with successful film like Welcome (2007), Black & White (2008), Race (2008), Race 2 (2013), Shootout at Wadala (2013), Dil Dhadakne Do (2015), Welcome Back (2015), Race 3 (2018), Total Dhamaal (2019), Malang (2020), AK vs AK (2020), Thar (2022), Jugjugg Jeeyo (2022), and many more. His biggest commercial success came in the form of the movie Animal (2023) at the age of 66.
Internationally Danny Boyle cast him in Slumdog Millionaire in 2008. His role in Slumdog Millionaire earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2009. In 2010, he joined the American series 24 as President Omar Hassan, later starring in the Indian adaptation as Jai Singh Rathod. Anil also worked with Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011).
Craft and Legacy
Anil Kapoor shifts effortlessly between genres—action, drama, comedy, and romance. In Mr. India, he balanced humor and heroism, using subtle expressions to convey vulnerability. For Tezaab, he portrayed intensity through physicality.” In Pukar, he adopted a disciplined military demeanor, reflecting his character’s patriotism. Anil prepares by deeply understanding his roles, often improvising dialogue delivery for authenticity, as seen in Nayak’s powerful speeches. He avoids stunt doubles, performing action sequences himself in films like Race 3. Anil has not directed but has produced films since 2005, including Badhaai Ho Badhaai (2002) and Gandhi, My Father (2007).
He won two National Film Awards: Best Actor for Pukar (2000) and Best Supporting Actor for Dil Dhadakne Do (2015). Anil secured seven Filmfare Awards, including Best Actor for Tezaab and Beta, and Best Supporting Actor for Mashaal and Dil Dhadakne Do.
Personal Life
Anil married Sunita Bhavnani, a costume designer, on May 19, 1984, after an 11-year relationship. He fell in love with her voice during a phone call before meeting her. They have three children: daughters Sonam and Rhea, and son Harshvardhan. Sonam, an actress, debuted in Saawariya (2007) and starred alongside Anil in Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga. Rhea, a producer, worked on films like Aisha (2010). Harshvardhan, an actor, debuted in Mirzya (2016).
