Kunal Kapoor, the son of legendary Shashi Kapoor, appeared in critically acclaimed films like Siddhartha (1972), Junoon (1979), Ahista Ahista (1981), and Vijeta (1982).
Early Life
Kunal was born on June 26, 1959, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, as the son of the legendary actor Shashi Kapoor and the British actress Jennifer Kendal. Kunal has a younger brother, Karan Kapoor, a former model-actor and photographer, and a sister, Sanjana Kapoor, a theater personality. His paternal grandfather, the legendary Prithviraj Kapoor, was a pioneer of Indian theatre and film. His maternal grandfather, Geoffrey Kendal, was a renowned British theatre personality who ran the theatre company “Shakespeareana.” Kunal’s uncles were legendary Raj and Shammi Kapoor and his cousins were Randhir and Rishi Kapoor.
Kunal attended Bombay International School in Mumbai. He completed his schooling there but did not pursue higher education.
Kunal Kapoor On Screen
Kunal growup into an atmosphere where theatre and films were the topic of every day. He made his film debut, the 1972 English-language film “Siddhartha,” directed by Conrad Rooks, as a child artist. The film, based on Hermann Hesse’s novel, marked his entry into cinema. In 1979, He also played a small role in Shyam Benegal‘s “Junoon” starring his father Shashi Kapoor.
He made his adult debut in Esmayeel Shroff’s “Ahista Ahista,” opposite Padmini Kolhapure. Next year, he starred as a confused teenager in the coming-of-age story “Vijeta.” He played an aimless teenager who had a complicated relationshipr with his father. His life changed after he join the air force and subsequently faught for country in the 1971 war. Kunal gets widspread praise for his performance from critics.
Other Work
He appeared in Girish Karnad‘s “Utsav” (1984) and Shyam Benegal’s “Trikal” (1985), but decided not to act and shifted his focus to the other side of the camera. In 1987, he founded Adfilm-Valas, an advertising agency that became known for producing and directing high-quality television commercials. His company also line-produced many international feature films and advertisements shot in India.
After a hiatus of nearly 30 years, Kunal made a comeback in the film “Singh is Bling” in 2015, playing the role of Amy Jackson’s father. He also appeared in Ashutosh Gowariker’s “Panipat” as Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula.
Kunal was married to Sheena Sippy, daughter of filmmaker Ramesh Sippy, and they have two children together, Zahan Kapoor and Shaira Kapoor. Although Kunal and Sheena are now divorced, they both continue to be active in their respective fields.
His son Zahaan is a theatre actor and made his film debut with Hansal Mehta’s “Faraaz (2023).”
Kunal Kapoor on IMDB
