Annu Kapoor

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teem in society. However, his maternal grandfather who was 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 theatre and aspired to become a surgeon like his Dadaji or become an IAS officer. Annu Kapoor ran a tea stall due to financial crises and buried all his dreams Annu Kapoor’s father run a theatre group hence there was no stability and the family like gypsies had to wander from place 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 firecrackers 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 it. Her mother was disappointed, and Annu Kapoor was also hurt but since nothing was happening in his career hence to make both ends meet he reluctantly joined the theatre. The theatre 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 his 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.

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 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 did win appreciation for Annu Kapoor’s role. How did Anil Kapoor become 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 before 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 he was not much recognized and it was only after the success of this film and Mr India, that 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; that Annu Kapoor had to change his name from Anil Kapoor to Annu Kapoor. Annu Kapoor got a new lease of life as a 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 until 2005. Annu Kapoor was an 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 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 the television world for over 12 years! After conquering TV, Annu Kapoor became an undisputed RJ on Radio After creating a 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 the award as the best entertainment show. It has made Anuu Kapoor the No. 1 RJ in the Radio world. Copying his Radio show, many more Radio shows have been started on Radio like Javed Akhtar's Show Jaane Pehchane on Epic Channel and Ameen Sayani's Show Sitaron ki Jawaniya and Sangeet Kay Sitaron ki Mehfil but none has been able to beat the intimate