Anil Kapoor is a remarkably well preserved sixty-six. He has the kind of spring and youthfulness that elicit a double-take if you didn’t know his age. He’s all set to embrace his next role as grandfather. His darling daughter Sonam and her husband Anand Ahuja are expecting their first child, due in a couple of months. Some of Anil’s seeming agelessness is a blessing from above. But for the most part, Anil works at keeping himself physically fit, and youthful in spirit. An enduring body of work right from the early years, immense dedication, a happy outlook and perennial smile, a great sense of humour (balanced by a paradoxical nonchalant gravitas), Anil Kapoor is one of the most versatile actors in the industry, across the decades. An actor for the masses and classes, he is continually reinventing himself, as an actor and as a human being. It is only justified then that he is a classic example of inspired living, high thinking, and of an extreme physical and mental agility. Having weathered four decades in an industry that can be as unforgiving during the lows, as it is loving and embracing in times of success, Anil comes out a winner in all ways. Always.
Anil has always paid attention to fitness and his diet. The Punjabi in him is never allowed to indulge at the dining table, laden with hospitality and an amazing array of food. His wife Sunita after all, is the hostess with the mostest. Their home is packed to capacity with impressive art and beauty. Created from and as a space of love. In comparison, the gym with exercise equipment is relatively bare. But it is Anil’s love for and driving need towards fitness that keeps it occupied. Not necessarily conscious of his looks per se, Anil is blessed with beautifully sculpted hands and feet. I used to call them happy feet. And a smile that always reaches his eyes. Narcissism? Anil has been accused of it in the past. But 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 Boney and Sanjay are also industry folk, a producer and an actor respectively.
Even as he set foot in the industry, Anil wedded his teenage sweetheart Sunita Bhambani in 1984. A beauty inside and out, the budding designer Sunita set aside a possible career to create a loving home for her family. As a youngster, Anil saw more than his fair share of struggle to establish himself, but the fire to prove himself burned fiercely in his belly. Sunita supported him unreservedly and joyfully. Their cup of happiness was filled with the birth of their children, daughter Sonam in 1985, Rhea in 1987, and a son Harshvardhan in 1990.
Anil always had acting dreams. “I was initially inspired by Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor. And after pursuing acting, I was impressed by Naseeruddin Shah, Shyam Benegal and Kamal Hasan’s films. I love Robert de Niro, and Al Pacino for their diametrically opposite styles of acting. I’ve always thought Martin Scorcese to be one of the greatest directors in the world.”
Technically Anil’s Bollywood debut happened with a teeny tiny role in a romantic film titled Hamare Tumhare in the year 1979. Young Anil starred in small supporting roles and cameos in seven films (like Shakti, Ek Baar Kaho, Hum Paanch, etc). It was only in 1983, with Woh 7 Din that he got a break as a solo lead actor. The film also starred Naseruddin Shah (his early idol) and Padmini Kolhapure.
From then on, there was no looking back for the hardworking and deeply invested actor Anil Kapoor. He blazed his way through the decades, with near 100 percent success. Every role that he performed earned him plaudits, often even when the films did not fare well. At four decades of working as an actor, today, it is near impossible to list the number of noteworthy performances given by this man,
Anil laughs it off, “I’ve never really experienced the changing times as people call them. I just moved from one job option to another, from one film to the next. There were filmmakers whose work was ahead of the times and some whose work ran with the times.”
The early eighties and the nineties saw film after film ring success for Anil – Mashaal, Meri Jung, Karma, Mr India, Tezaab, Ram Lakhan, Beta, Parinda, Laadla, Judaai, Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain, Biwi No 1, right into the new millennium where the kind of films being made saw a difference. But Anil continued to dance and sing his merry way through the myriad commercial pot-boilers he was so much a part of. A huge plus in his favour, as Subhash Ghai said, was that “Anil never repeated himself as an actor in any role.” He brought new dimensions and facets to every character he played. Little wonder then that many directors he worked with sought to repeat him film after film. He was Mr Reliable.
Ghai always encouraged Anil. In an old interview, Ghai had admitted to Anil that he paid him less and exploited his talent. But Anil’s earnestness and hunger to prove his craft made him silently stick it out. Ghai had said, “Real drama comes from pain and I’ve seen that in you. You’ve faced humiliation.” Anil has always had great respect for Subhash Ghai as a director. Added Ghai to Anil, “Very rarely has it happened that an actor has continually inspired me, praised me and told me I’m the best. You kept doing that and motivating me. You are a director’s actor. It’s not possible for me to do a film without you.”
If you believe Anil’s mantra, you’ll believe what Ghai has said. Anil believes: “Always be on time, say yes to the director. And when the director is working, let him direct you. Give your opinions only when they are asked for and never above the director’s vision.”
Anil has taught his children (who are now actors) this too. He grins, saying: “Become a bad habit with your directors so that they can’t do without you in their films. It’s very important that directors work with other actors, but when they look back, working with you has to be the most satisfying experience in their recollection. That’s all I’ve tried to be for my directors and it has worked for me. I’ve actually worked with very few people but done maximum work with them.” This is the truth. Whether it’s Subhash Ghai or Anees Bazmee, Anil is a repeat factor in their films.
Whether he played a streetside tapori (and he played that really well), or a statuesque Thakur, a determined lawyer or harried husband, business tycoon, suave conman, loud comic, smooth lover or earnest do-gooder, village idiot, merry two-timer, or polished don, Anil brought a different flavour to each of his roles. While he repeatedly excelled in his roles, earning critical acclaim as well as mass popularity, not all the films set Box Office coffers ringing. As a producer’s son, he was acutely aware of what this meant and strove even harder in situations beyond his control. What it did earn him was tremendous goodwill with producers and directors, a steady upward rise in his professional graph, and the permanent title of a ‘Director’s Actor’.
Anil’s brother, producer Boney Kapoor, who had taken on their father’s mantle was known for producing lavish commercial blockbusters. He was also married to the reigning queen Sridevi then (despite being a much married man with two children, Arjun and Anshula). Anil did a lot of films with Sridevi paired romantically opposite him. But even this phenomenal combination could not save Boney’s Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja. It was the biggest disaster at the box-office and shook a till then secure position that Anil had painstakingly earned for himself. This was the first cinematic blow Anil encountered, of such mammoth proportions. But he persevered.
Kapoor’s time to be cast in an International project came with Slumdog Millionaire. The Danny Boyle-directed Oscar nominated film was Anil’s first English language film, which won the cast a place with the ‘Screen Actors Guild Award For Outstanding Performance By A Cast In A Motion Picture.’ The other International project which came much later was when he saw the American television series 24 and was greatly impressed by it. He ended up acting in the eighth season, and producing an adaptation for India as well. Anil Kapoor’s name and face now rang familiar with the American media as well, earning him a spot as one of the most acclaimed Indian actors globally.
In the decade after 2000, Anil came up with some heart-winning performances in Badhaai Ho Badhaai, Om Jai Jagadish, an unconventional Calcutta Mail, the thoroughly enjoyable and slick Chocolate, Slumdog Millionaire and Shootout At Wadala etc.
Amidst all the serious roles he played, Anil reprised a number of comic characters as well. His timing was impeccable, his humour never risqué, and always a class apart.
In 2007, his daughter Sonam readied herself to join the industry as an actress, with her big launch in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Saawariya. With his laadli Sonam setting foot in Bollywood terra firma, Anil was a protective, eager, but apprehensive father. When one was to conduct Sonam’s first ever interview, he called me aside and whispered in my ear, “Be gentle on my baby girl.” He had said, “I want Sonam to not only handle her work, but also help me in mine.” Anil believed that given her youth and the energy she possessed (he could easily be talking about himself even today), the scope for achievement is phenomenal. Anil today has an innate sense of what to say, how much to say, when to say and what not to say. (But in the early days, Anil could be blunt.) This he taught his kids and taught them well. Sonam has never been bogged down by the fear of having to live up to her dad’s legacy. She says proudly, “Yes, I am Anil Kapoor’s daughter, I have things easy because of who I am, and I’m not apologetic about it. My dad’s mad, oh, I love him. He loves his job. He’s obsessed with it. For him, work is worship.”
Sunita Kapoor is the reason Sonam is the person she is. Anil Kapoor is the reason Sonam made her choice. Anil always knew she wanted to be an actor, because one actor always recognises another. Says Anil, “It’s very important to be in a profession where you love your work. In all the decades that I’ve worked in the industry, I have never experienced a single moment when I didn’t love my job. And when she made the choice, how could I deny my daughter the experience of that joy that I derive from my work?”
Sunita would have liked her daughters to have conventional marriages at the right age, but Anil said: “Let my daughters work. They are so intelligent, so beautiful and so strong.” They have him wrapped around their little fingers. Sonam and Rhea do! Rhea, in her mother’s footsteps is a tremendously talented Costume designer as well as interior designer. In fact, it is she who has designed dear daddy’s office spaces even. Strong girls both, Anil dotes on them. And they, him.
Sonam giggled, “If it came to that, I’d be in awe of working with my father – Anil Kapoor the actor, in a film. But it wouldn’t dent my confidence.” She added, “He has never got a bad review, you know? Who does that? It’s scary!” Well, for now acting dreams with daddy have to be held at bay whilst nana prepares to play with grandchild in the crib.
Anil has always been a strong supporter of his children’s choices. Even when Sunita questioned Sonam’s career choice versus marriage, Anil shares that he told her this, “You get a better understanding of life when you’ve worked. Work only enhances her chances of finding a better partner.” Sunita may not have been too happy about this. But Anil laughs as he jestingly chortles, “I don’t know about either my success or Sonam’s success or any of us. Sunita still shouts at us the same way, the kids, at me, so nothing has really changed yaar, neither with my success nor with the kids.” Even as he says this, one thinks of how much love dwells in the Kapoor household. Forty years of his acting career, through dark days and bright. Nearly forty years of married harmony between Anil and Sunita. Both daughters are now married – them on the way to being nana nani.
Anil was one of the few actors whose name wasn’t romantically linked with all his heroines. Some time ago one had asked him, in such a long journey, how did he manage this squeaky-clean image? He was all charm as he preened, (secure in Sunita’s love and trust in him) “I don’t have any lafdas so there’s no question of Sunita fighting with me. I’m not the type to have affairs.” With a little teasing, he added more for effect, “I don’t believe in flings, only relationships. I’ve been very careful. Do what you want but don’t get caught.” His eyes had fully disappeared into his face as he laughed. He continued, “What bugs Sunita the most is my work. She likes my work but hates the hours I keep…” Fully justified because Anil didn’t believe in breaks. He was a complete workaholic. Still is actually.
Back on the career track, with producers’ blood coursing through his veins, Anil took up that baton with Badhaai Ho Badhaai in 2002. His next few productions were My Wife’s Murder in 2005, and Gandhi, My Father in 2007. The latter garnered a National Film Award – Special Jury Award / Special Mention. He produced the caper Shortkut: The Con Is On starring Akshaye Khanna and Arshad Warsi. 2010 saw Aisha, with his beloved daughter Sonam headlining the film, along with Abhay Deol. And some more of her films, Khoobsurat, Veere Di Wedding, and Fanney Khan amongst others. This year (2022) also saw Thar under Anil Kapoor’s home banner.
Anil was so inspired by the style, narrative and content of 24 that it had to be adapted. He had already essayed a character in the original series, that he decided to purchase remake rights to the same and adapted it to the Indian milieu, where he essayed the protagonist Jack Bauer’s character. Says Anil, unlike many of his ilk who shun the small screen even in this day of mushrooming content on OTT platforms, “Television or films, linear or digital, it’s about content. It can be on any platform.” In the days to come, we can look forward to Anil Kapoor starring in the remake of The Night Manager, essaying the intriguing role played by Hugh Laurie in the International version.
Anil has his hands full. He used to be against endorsements at one point in time. Today, time and tide have changed. You can happily see him endorse many products on your screen. He just took a leaf off his daughter’s book there. Sonam has been the face of so many brands before she got married and moved to the UK.
He is still enthusiastic about multi-starrers and insists they are such fun in the making. Many of the ones he has worked in, are on sequels two and three in the making. Needless to say, Anil Kapoor certainly has his fingers in most of those pies.
Disciplined, hardworking and naturally so talented, Anil has always shown a penchant for seeing pathbreaking roles. Which he does with much élan. His application and dedication to his craft remain undimmed in their enthusiasm and effort. Anil remains one of the most hardworking and diligent, disciplined actors across generations. His keenness can put many a youngster to shame.
In a career spanning four decades as an actor and as a producer since 2005, Kapoor has clocked in more than a 100 films, even international films and television series. The recipient of numerous awards and accolades, including two National Awards. Unfortunately, in the last few years, Race 3, Pagalpanti, Malang, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha, etc despite Anil’s dynamic presence and abundant talent have failed the actor. Thankfully Jugjugg Jeeyo has been appreciated and is still picking up volume at the theatres. With an artiste of his stature and talent, roles ought to be created and custom made to accommodate his vast capabilities. Are the directors listening?
Box
Box headline:
Best of Anil Kapoor
1983
Woh Saat Din
1983
Mashaal (Supporting actor- first tapori act)
1985
Yudh (the ‘ekdum jhakaas’ phrase got set)
1985
Meri Jung (Best Actor award)
1986
Karma (tapori persona got established
1987
Mr India
1988
Tezaab
1988
Ram Lakhan
1989
Eeshwar
1989
Parinda
1991
Lamhe (first film without his moustache apparently)
1992
Beta
1994
1942: A Love Story
1997
Judaai
1997
Virasat
1999
Taal
2000
Pukkar
2001
Nayak
2002
Badhaai Ho Badhaai
2005
No Entry
2007
Welcome
2008
Race
2008
Slumdog Millionaire (His first English film)
2009
Wanted
2010
24 (International TV series)
2013
Shootout At Wadala
2015
Dil Dhadakne Do
2022
JugJugg Jeeyo
