Page 7 - Seniorstoday July 2022 Issue

It is only justified then that he is a classic Boney and Sanjay are also industry folk, a
example of inspired living, high thinking, producer and an actor respectively.
and of an extreme physical and mental Even as he set foot in the industry, Anil
agility. Having weathered four decades wedded his teenage sweetheart Sunita
in an industry that can be as unforgiving Bhambani in 1984. A beauty inside and
during the lows, as it is loving and out, the budding designer Sunita set aside
embracing in times of success, Anil comes a possible career to create a loving home
out a winner in all ways. Always. for her family. As a youngster, Anil saw
Anil has always paid attention to fitness more than his fair share of struggle to
and his diet. The Punjabi in him is never establish himself, but the fire to prove
allowed to indulge at the dining table, himself burned fiercely in his belly.
laden with hospitality and an amazing Sunita supported him unreservedly and
array of food. His wife Sunita after all, is joyfully. Their cup of happiness was filled
the hostess with the mostest. Their home with the birth of their children, daughter
is packed to capacity with impressive art Sonam in 1985, Rhea in 1987, and a son
and beauty. Created from and as a space of Harshvardhan in 1990.
love. In comparison, the gym with exercise Anil always had acting dreams. “I was
equipment is relatively bare. But it is Anil’s initially inspired by Dilip Kumar and Raj
love for and driving need towards fitness Kapoor. And after pursuing acting, I was
that keeps it occupied. Not necessarily impressed by Naseeruddin Shah, Shyam
conscious of his looks per se, Anil is blessed Benegal and Kamal Hasan’s films. I love
with beautifully sculpted hands and feet. Robert de Niro, and Al Pacino for their
I used to call them happy feet. And a smile diametrically opposite styles of acting. I’ve
that always reaches his eyes. Narcissism? always thought Martin Scorcese to be one of
Anil has been accused of it in the past. But the greatest directors in the world.”
one wouldn’t call him that. He just gives his
all to the work that he loves so much. And
if looking good is a part of that, so be it.
His legacy? “I don’t think people remember
you. So what legacy? Ultimately,
irrespective of which family you hail from,
it is your individual work only which will
give you recognition.” Anil Kapoor has
lived and proved this for a fact.
But let’s start at the beginning.
Anil Kapoor was born on Christmas Eve,
December 24, in the year 1956. His father
Surinder Kapoor was a film producer,
his mother, a housewife, and they were a
typical Punjabi family settled in Chembur
in North Central Mumbai, where he did his
schooling, and later, St Xavier’s College in
South Mumbai, then Bombay. His brothers For Kapoor, there was no looking back after Woh 7 Din

SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #37 | JULY 2022 7