Anil Kapoor, better known as Annu Kapoor, is an Indian actor, television actor, film director, and film producer. He is famous as the host of the music reality show “Antakshari” (1993-2006).
Wiki/Biography
Annu Kapoor was born on Monday, 20 February 1956 (age 67 years; in 2023) in Itwara, Bhopal. His zodiac sign is Pisces. As a child, Annu aspired to become a surgeon or an IAS officer. However, he had to stop studying after class 10 due to his family’s poor financial situation. Soon, Annu started doing odd jobs like selling tea at a tea stall, selling fake currency, running a small fire cracker shop and selling lottery tickets. Later, his father urged him to join his theater company. After working in her father’s theater company for a while, Annu joined the National School of Drama (NSD) in Delhi, where her older brother, Ranjit Kapoor, was already a student. In 1981, Kapoor played the role of a 70-year-old man in the stage play “Ek Ruka Hua Faisla.” Film director Shyam Benegal saw her performance in the play and offered her a role in his film “Mandi” (1983).
Annu Kapoor in her youth
Physical appearance
Height (approx): 5′ 4″
Hair Color: Salt & Pepper
Eye Color: Dark Brown
Family & Caste
Annu Kapoor is a Punjabi from her father’s side and a Bengali Brahmin from her mother’s side.
Parents & Siblings
Annu’s father, Madanlal Kapoor, is the owner of a traveling Persian Theater Company. His mother, Kamal Shabnam Kapoor, was an Urdu teacher and a trained classical singer. His father is actually from Peshawar (Pakistan). He (Annu’s father) motivated his wife (Annu’s mother) to learn Urdu, Persian, and Arabic. Annu has two brothers. Her brother, Ranjit Kapoor, is a screenwriter and film director. His younger brother, Nikhil Kapoor, is a lyricist and a writer. Annu also has an older sister, Seema Kapoor, who is an actress.
Annu Kapoor’s mother
Annu Kapoor with her sister
Annu Kapoor’s brother, Ranjit Kapoor
Annu Kapoor’s mother and sister
Relationships, Wife & Children
Annu Kapoor was married to an American girl, Anupama in 1992. The couple has three sons, Maahir Kapoor, Kavam Kapoor, and Evaan Kapoor. The couple divorced after a few years of their marriage.
Annu Kapoor with his wife, Anupama
Annu Kapoor’s son Maahir Kapoor
Annu Kapoor’s son Evaan Kapoor
Annu Kapoor’s children
Annu later tied the knot with Arunita Mukherjee. The couple has a daughter, Aradhita Kapoor. Despite being married, Arunita, Annu kept in touch with his first wife, Anupama, which led to divorce between Annu and Arunita. In 2008, Annu remarried his first wife, Anupama.
Annu Kapoor with Arunita Mukherjee
Annu Kapoor with her daughter
Career
Theater
As part of her father’s Persian theater company, Annu worked in several Persian plays such as “Laila Majnu,” “Harischandra,” “Shirin-Farhad,” “Bhakta Prahlad,” “Dahi Wali” and “Qatl-e-Tamizan.” He has also acted in modern dramas such as “Antim Yatra,” “Three Sisters,” “The Great God Brown,” “The Zoo Story” and “Ek Ruka Hua Faisla.” In addition to acting, Anu has also directed several theaters.
Television
Annu made her television debut in the 1980s with the Doordarshan TV series “Khari-Khari.” After that, she appeared in TV series like “Darpan,” “Phatichar,” “Param Vir Chakra,” “Wheel Smart Shrimati,” “Ek Se Badkar Ek,” and “Golden Era With Annu Kapoor.”
Annu Kapoor in Golden Era with Annu Kapoor
Annu gained wide popularity by hosting the reality TV show “Close Up Antakshari.”
Annu Kapoor hosts Close Up Antakshari
Movie
Annu made her film debut in 1983 with Shyam Benegal’s film “Mandi.” Subsequently, he appeared in films such as “Betaab” (1983), “Mashaal” (1984), “Utsav” (1984), “Arjun” (1985), “Chameli Ki Shaadi” (1986), “Susman” (1987), and “Tezaab” (1988).
Some of his popular Hindi films include “Mr. India” (1987) “The Perfect Murder” (1988) “Ram Lakhan” (1989) “Dil Ki Baazi” (1993) “Waqt Hamara Hai” (1993) “Darr” (1993) “Om Jai Jagadish” (2002) and “7 Khoon Maaf” (2011).
Annu Kapoor in 7 Khoon Maaf
In 2012, Annu played the role of ‘Dr. Baldev Chaddha’ in the Bollywood film “Vicky Donor.”
Annu Kapoor in Vicky Donor
Besides being an actor, he is also a director. Annu directed the film “Abhay (The Fearless)” (1994) for which he received the V. Shantaram Award for “Best Director.” The film also won the 1994 National Film Award for “Best Children’s Film.”
Annu Kapoor in a different role from her career
Controversy
- In 2018, Annu Kapoor courted controversy for sharing her views on renaming cities and railway stations. Annu calls it meaningless and says that all winners leave traces of their rule. He further said,
The original name of this country is Bharat. Names like Hindustan and India were given by invaders.
- Despite being married to his second wife, Arunita, Annu keeps in touch with his first wife, Anupama. When Arunita finds out about it, Annu starts abusing her. He also forces Arunita to move back to her parents in Kolkata with their daughter, Aradhita.
Awards & Honors
- V. Shantaram Award for ‘Best Director’ for the movie “Abhay (The Fearless)”
- National Film Award for ‘Best Children’s Film’ for the film “Abhay (The Fearless)” (1995)
For the movie “Vicky Donor”
- National Film Award for ‘Best Supporting Actor’ (2013)
Annu Kapoor receives an award
- Filmfare Award for ‘Best Supporting Actor’ (2013)
- Screen Award for ‘Best Comedian’ for the film
- Star Guild Award for ‘Best Supporting Actor’ for the film
- Star Guild Award for ‘Best Actor in a Comic Role’ for the film
- Times of India Film Award for ‘Best Supporting Actor’ for the film
- IIFA Award for ‘Best Supporting Actor’ (2013)
Signature
Annu Kapoor’s signature
Favorite Things
- Cuisine: Continental, Italian, Indian
- Food: Lucknowi Biryani, Kakori Kebab, Sheermal
- Dessert(s): Jalebi, Gulab Jamun
- Restaurants: Indigo and Pizza Express in Mumbai, Gulati in Delhi
- Travel Destination: Switzerland
Facts/Trivia
- His hobbies include reading and traveling.
- Annu has received around seven awards for her film, “Vicky Donor” (2012). He played the role of a fertility doctor in the film.
Annu Kapoor in Vicky Donor
- Annu Kapoor was a chain smoker earlier. He used to smoke around 20 cigarettes a day. However, he quit smoking in 2007 due to health problems.
- Annu is often seen drinking alcohol on various occasions.
- Annu Kapoor follows a non-vegetarian diet.
- Reportedly, Annu moved to Mumbai in 1982 with just Rs. 419.25 in his pocket.
Annu Kapoor’s Instagram post
- In December 2018, Kapoor clashed with director and producer Kunal Kohli on the sets of the film “Ek Se Badhkar Ek – Chota Packet Bada Dhamaka” because Kunal was unhappy with Annu’s decision to give grace marks to a contestant named Tanmay.
- Annu Kapoor’s first wife Anupama was 13 years younger than him.
- Annu Kapoor has hosted a show, “Suhaana Safar with Annu Kapoor” on radio channel 92.7 BIG FM. During the show, he used to talk about vintage Bollywood movies and his music.
Annu Kapoor at a radio station
- Annu’s sister Seema Kapoor was married to veteran actor Om Puri for a short time.
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
