19 Interesting Facts About Pankaj Kapur, The Talented Actor

Pankaj Kapur is a talented Indian actor who has also worked in television, Hindi films, and theatre. He has several awards under his name including three National Film Awards and a Filmfare Award. He has been acting since the 1980s and has appeared in several television serials and films like the TV series Karamchand. He is also the father of the successful Bollywood actor, Shahid Kapoor.

Pankaj Kapur is loved by all and his acting skills are praiseworthy. Here are some of his most acclaimed film roles to date, Dr. Dipankar Roy in Ek Doctor Ki Maut, Inspector P.K. in Raakh, and Abba ji in Vishal Bhardwaj’s Maqbool (adaptation of Macbeth).

Here we have listed some lesser-known facts about the ace actor, Pankaj Kapur:

1. Pankaj Kapur was born in a Khatri family in Ludhiana, Punjab on 29 May 1954

2. He got enrolled in the National School of Drama to pursue his acting

He developed a keen interest in theatre and acting while growing up after completing his engineering in Punjab.

3. Pankaj Kapur became a household name through the TV series Karamchand in the 1980s

A comedy television series in the detective genre made him popular.

4. Pankaj Kapur wife and children

Pankaj Kapur first wife is an actress and dancer Neelima Azeem. They got married in 1979. They were settled in New Delhi and their son is Shahid Kapoor born in 1981. The couple got divorced in 1984.

In 1988, Pankaj Kapur went on to marry Supriya Pathak, daughter of actress Dina Pathak. Pankaj Kapur second wife is also a well-known actress. They have two children together, one daughter Sanah Kapur and a son Ruhaan Kapoor. His sister-in-law is actress Ratna Pathak Shah, who is married to actor Naseeruddin Shah.

5. Before cinemas, Pankaj Kapur was a theatre artist

He did theatre for the next four years after graduating from the National School of Drama until he was offered a role in Gandhi by Richard Attenborough.

6. His debut film was Shyam Benegal’s film Arohan (1982)

After that he played Mahatma Gandhi’s second secretary, Pyarelal Nayyar, in the film Gandhi in 1982. He also dubbed for Ben Kingsley in the Hindi version of the film.

7. Pankaj Kapoor did a string of art films that went on to win the National Film Awards

He worked with leading art film directors, including Shyam Benegal’s Mandi (1983), and Kundan Shah’s comedy Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro. Followed by Saeed Akhtar Mirza’s satirical Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho! (1984), Mrinal Sen’s Khandhar (1984), and Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Khamosh in 1985.

8. He has done over 74 plays and serials over the years as a director

The serials include Mohandas B.A.L.L.B., Sahabji Biwiji Ghulamji and Drishtanth, Wah Bhai Wah, Kanak Di Balli, Panchvan Savaar, and Albert’s Bridge.

9. In 1986, he came to the limelight when he played the role of Karamchand jasoos (detective) in the detective-comedy, Karamchand

Pankaj Kapur switched to television in 1986. He worked in the detective-comedy, Karamchand. Pankaj Kapur TV serials, include Kab Tak Pukaroon, Zabaan Sambhaal Ke, Lifeline with Vijaya Mehta, Neem ka Ped, Philips Top 10, and many more.

10. Pankaj Kapur movies

He starred in films like Ek Ruka Hua Faisla (1986), Chameli Ki Shaadi (1986), and Yeh Woh Manzil To Nahin (1987). In 1987, he played a comic role in the film Jalwa, also starring Naseeruddin Shah.

11. He got his first National Film Award for the 1989 film, Raakh, also starring Aamir Khan

He also featured in the 1992 Mani Ratnam film Roja. He was also awarded the 1991 National Film Award – Special Jury Award for the role of a struggling scientist in the film Ek Doctor Ki Maut (1991).

12. He believes that working too much at a time is not a good idea. So, he usually works around 20 days a month

13. Pankaj Kapur won hearts by returning to TV in 2000 with the serial Office Office a satirical take on the prevalent corruption in India

14. Maqbool, Vishal Bhardwaj’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth got him the 2004 National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor

In 2003, he appeared in Maqbool and played the antagonistic Abbaji which got him the 2004 National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor. Meanwhile, he was featured in films like Dus, The Blue Umbrella, Halla Bol, etc.

In 2006, he came back with the TV series, Naya Office Office, a sequel to his previous series Office Office.

In 2013, he starred in the film Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola.

15. In November 2019, Kapur made his literary debut with his novella ‘Dopehri’, which was written by him in 1992

The veteran actor can be seen in the movie Bheed, released on March 24, 2023.

16. He found playing his character in the serial Neem ka Ped, very challenging because there was no set method for that role

17. He also believes that acting is not just about fame and money. An actor should be approachable and believable

18. Actors Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, and Marlon Brando are some of his acting role models

19. Pankaj Kapur net worth

The talented actor has an estimated net worth of Rs 37 crores as of 2023.