Annu Kapoor

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Wanted to become a surgeon or IAS officer but never an actor Annu Kapoor’s paternal grandfather Dr Kripa Ram Kapoor was a doctor in the British army and his late great grandfather Lala Ganga Ram Kapoor was a patriot, who was hanged by British. Thus Annu Kapoor’s family was held in high esteem in society. However his maternal maternal grandfather who also a Pradhan of the state of Tikamgarh ( Madhya Pradesh) in 1947 invested money into the business of theatre and became infamous. In those days cinema and theatre were looked down upon by society. Hence Annu’s mother kept him away from his grandfather as a result young Annu too refrained from theater and aspired to become a surgeon like his Dadaji or become an IAS officer. Annu Kapoor ran tea stall due to financial crises and buried all his dreams Annu Kapoor’s father run a theater group hence there was no stability and the family like gypsies had to wander from places to place. This also marred Annu Kapoor’s studies and after class X he was forced to make an earning for survival. He did multiple jobs like running a tea stall, selling lottery tickets, selling fire crackers etc. Annu’s father thus asked Annu to join him at night and assist him. Helpless Annu started attending his father’s theatre company every night and started enjoying. Her mother was disappointed, Annu Kapoor was also hurt but since there was nothing happening in his career hence to make both ends meet he reluctantly joined theatre. The theater was a professional group and did many plays. Hence soon Annu Kapoor learned and began experimenting as an actor in plays. At the insistence of his brother Annu Kapoor joined NSD When Annu Kapoor’s elder brother, popular theatre artist Ranjit Kapoor, who was studying at NSD (National School of Drama, New Delhi), came to know that Annu was working at father’s theatre company, he invited him to join NSD and sharpens his skills and became a trained artist. Annu Kapoor agreed and joined NSD in 1976. After graduation he began doing professional drama for his brother Ranjit Kapoor’s drama company.

Annu Kapoor had troubled marriage with Arunita Annu Kapoor had a troubled marriage with his first wife Arunita, whom he met on the sets of Antakshari in 1994. The fell in love and tied the nuptial knot on February 15, 1995 in Kolkata. They had a daughter, Aradhita, but the marriage could not sail smoothly and the two separated. Annu Kapoor is living happily with his second wife Anupama Annu Kapoor re-married in 2008 to Anupama (Pami) an American lady. She was 13 year younger to Annu and herself was a victim of troubled marriage. She also had two sons Kavan and Maahir from her ex—husband, but Annu Kapoor had no reservation in accepting them as his own sons, while Anupama accepted Annu’s daughter Aradhita.

Veteran film maker Shyam Benegal introduced Annu Kapoor In his first play Annu Kapoor played the role of a 70 year old man for his brother’s theater company. The play Ek Ruka Hua Faisla, directed by his elder brother Ranjit Kapoor, became very popular and was brought to Mumbai by public demand. Shabana Azmi, in those days was head of IPTA (Indian People's Theatre Association, and she had sponsored the play in Mumbai’s Prithvi Theater on behalf of IPTA. The play was a huge hit. Incidentally during one of the shows, film legend Shyam Benegal was present and was quite impressed by Annu Kapoor’s performance and he approached him for a cameo in his film Mandi. Annu Kapoor was excited to begin his film journey with a Shyam Benegal film. It may be noted in 1986; film director Basu Chatterjee adapted the play Ek Ruka Hua Faisla into a film. The film though not as popular as the play but it did won appreciation for Annu Kapoor’s role. How Anil Kapoor became Annu Kapoor? Sounds strange but the truth is that Annu Kapoor’s real name is Anil Kapoor but he had to change his name to Annu because prior to him legendary actor Anil Kapoor had already become a star. Annu Kapoor in an interview informed that he had worked in Yash Chopra’s film Mashaal in which he had a cameo and Anil Kapoor played an important role opposite Dilip Kumar. Though Anil Kapoor had a powerful role but he was not much recognized and it was only after the success of this film and Mr India, Anil Kapoor became a star. Hence there was some misunderstanding in the accounts department of Yash Raj Film when the remuneration cheque was made. It was due to this error; Annu Kapoor had to change his name from Anil Kapoor to Annu Kapoor. Annu Kapoor got a new lease of life as TV host in Antakshari After being disappointed with insignificant roles in Bollywood, Annu Kapoor got a new lease of life with Zee TV’s song based show Antakshari directed and conceived by Gajendra Singh. The show that started in 1993 continued nonstop to 2005. Annu Kapoor was the integral part of the show, though his co-hosts varied from Rajeshwari Sachdev, Pallavi Joshi, Durga Jasraj, Renuka Shahane and Shefali Chhaya, among others. Though the show was popular for its hit format but what made the show immortal was Annu Kapoor’s incredible anchoring. He not only shared valuable information about film music but also promoted Indian culture and heritage. Annu Kapoor became a household name and ruled television world for over 12 years! After conquering TV, Annu Kapoor became undisputed RJ on Radio After creating sensation with Antakshari, Annu Kapoor created ripples on Radio with his super hit Radio Show Suhana Safar on 92.7 FM Radio. In this show Annu Kapoor enlightens listeners with untold anecdotes from Bollywood and the programme is such a hit that it has won award as best entertainment show. It has made Anuu Kapoor No. 1 RJ in Radio world. In fact copying his Radio show, many more Radio shows have been started on Radio like Javed Akhtar Show Jaane Pehchane on Epic Channel and Ameen Sayani Show Sitaron ki jawaniya and Sangeet kay sitaron ki mehfil but none has been able to beat the inimitable Annu Kapoor!