Happy Birthday Anil Kapoor
Kapoor was stellar in Dil Dhadakne Do
He may be known as Sonam Kapoor's dad but there's more to veteran Anil Kapoor than just that.
With more than three decades under his belt and a repertoire of very diverse films, and having worked with a range of directors, Kapoor has mostly enjoyed stellar success and is one of the rare actors that has the critical acclaim to go with it!
As part of the multi Academy Award nominated Slumdog Millionaire, Kapoor is credited for bringing Hollywood to Bollywood – one of the very select few to crack into Tinseltown.
Most actors have a shelf life and struggle to secure feasible roles towards middle age. Not so with Kapoor, who despite turning 59 years of age today, continues to pull in audiences without resorting to clichéd supporting characters.
In his time, he's romanced his fair share of beauties on screen. Who can forget his dream pairings with reigning divas Madhuri Dixit and Sridevi (the latter went on to become his real life sister in law) in films such as Parinda, Ram Lakhan, Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja and the eternal Mr India. from Padmini Kolhapure to even Aishwairya Rai Bachchan, Kapoor had his iconic moments and scenes on celluloid with many an up and coming actress.
Not since Amitabh Bachchan had a newcomer ignited the industry in the way Kapoor did, the litmus test in those days being, sharing screen space with stalwart Dilip Kumar, with whom Kapoor appeared with in at least three films – Yash Chopra's Mashaal, Shakti and Subhash Ghai Karma.
Kapoor was known for his cheeky charisma, a twinkle in his eye, rakish smile and of course that moustache - which disappeared just briefly in Yash Chopra's cult classic, the underrated Lamhe.
The mid to late eighties saw his career explode, when release after release cemented his position as the then número uno.
Most notable among them being Feroz Khan's Jaanbaaz. Known for its alternative style, sizzling chemistry between Dimple Kapadia and Kapoor and a soundtrack which went on playing for years after, the film dealt with taboo topics like drug addiction and pre marital sex, culturally unheard of at the time.
Subsequently, Kapoor had his lean phase too when Jamai Raja, Jeevan Ek Sangharsh, Zindagi Ek Juaa, all tanked without a trace.
That aside though, his recent releases have been mostly lauded. Kapoor has found his niche in comedic characters in Tashan (where he was the film's only USP), or as one half of a hapless crime duo Majnu Bhai in the Welcome series, with not a starlet in sight.
This year's Dil Dhadakne Do brings our hero into his future, where we see him playing a stern patriarch, not your typical Bollywood 'babuji' though, but rather a millionaire magnate, with an eye for the ladies and the other firmly on his bank balance.
From Woh 7 Din to Dil Dhadakne Do, I'm sure you'll agree the man's had quite the innings! And we hope he continues to dazzle us in there years to come too.
Long may you continue to entertain us Mr Kapoor! Here's wishing you a very Happy Birthday!
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