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Annu Kapoor Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 28, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth20 February 1956

Age69 Years

BirthplaceItwara, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India

ProfessionActor, Television Anchor, Film Director, Film Producer

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseAnupama; Arunita Mukherjee

FamilyFather: Madanlal Kapoor; Mother: Kamal Shabnam Kapoor; Brothers: Ranjit Kapoor, Nikhil Kapoor; Sister: Seema Kapoor

Annu Kapoor Biography

Annu Kapoor is an Indian actor, television presenter, director and producer whose career spans stage, film, radio and television. He is best known for anch

Early life and background

Annu Kapoor was born Anil Kapoor on 20 February 1956 in Itwara, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. He grew up in a family with deep roots in theatre: his father, Madanlal Kapoor, ran a travelling Parsi theatre company and his mother, Kamal Shabnam Kapoor, worked as an Urdu teacher and was trained in classical singing. Kapoor’s family heritage includes a Punjabi father and a Bengali Brahmin mother. His grandfather served as a doctor in the British Army and an earlier ancestor was active in anti‑British activities.

Financial constraints curtailed formal schooling after class 10, and Kapoor supported himself with small jobs before joining his father’s theatre troupe. He performed and directed in many stage productions from an early age. Encouraged by his elder brother, Ranjit Kapoor, he later attended the National School of Drama in Delhi, where he continued to act in plays and build the foundation for a career in performance.

Career

Kapoor moved to Mumbai in the early 1980s and shortly thereafter began working in films and television. An early break came after a stage performance in 1981 when director Shyam Benegal cast him in the film Mandi (1983). From that point he appeared in a range of Hindi films across genres, including titles such as Betaab, Mashaal, Utsav, Arjun, Chameli Ki Shaadi, Susman, Tezaab, Mr. India, The Perfect Murder, Ram Lakhan, Dil Ki Baazi, Waqt Hamara Hai, Darr, Om Jai Jagadish and 7 Khoon Maaf.

On television, Kapoor appeared in serials and programs including Khari Khari, Darpan, Phatichar, Param Vir Chakra, Wheel Smart Shrimati, Ek Se Badkar Ek and Golden Era With Annu Kapoor. He also hosted radio and television shows focused on Hindi film music and nostalgia. He presented the long-running music game show Antakshari from 1993 to 2006, a role that made him a familiar presence in many Indian households. He produced and hosted other shows as well, and ran the radio program Suhaana Safar with Annu Kapoor on BIG 92.7 FM, where he discussed vintage Bollywood films and music.

Kapoor has worked behind the camera too. He directed the 1994 film Abhay (The Fearless), which earned the V. Shantaram Award for Best Director and won the National Film Award for Best Children’s Film. As an actor he earned significant acclaim for his role as Dr. Baldev Chaddha in the 2012 film Vicky Donor, receiving multiple awards for his supporting performance.

Public profile

Known for his distinctive voice and warm on‑screen presence, Kapoor has remained a versatile performer across stage, film, television and radio for decades. He changed his professional name from Anil to Annu in 1984 to avoid confusion with another actor of the same name. On screen and off, he has been open about aspects of his life and beliefs, including a longstanding interest in religious and philosophical texts.

Personal life

Annu Kapoor has been married and is a father. His first wife is Anupama; the couple have three sons: Maahir, Kavam and Evaan. He was later married to TV host Arunita Mukherjee; they have a daughter, Aradhita. His siblings include writer‑director Ranjit Kapoor, lyricist Nikhil Kapoor and actress Seema Kapoor.

Kapoor’s background in a theatre family, his training at the National School of Drama and his decades of work across mediums have shaped a career marked by character roles, hosting duties and occasional directing and producing projects. He is known to enjoy reading and travelling and has spoken publicly about personal choices and opinions over the years.

Latest updates

In September 2022 Kapoor was the victim of an online banking fraud in which Rs 4.36 lakh was withdrawn from his account after a caller posing as a banker obtained his banking details and OTP. Police later recovered a portion of the money from accounts used in the transactions.

He remains active in public life through interviews and media appearances, and his work—particularly Antakshari and his award‑winning performance in Vicky Donor—continues to be a prominent part of his public identity.
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Recent Work

Vicky Donor

Played Dr. Baldev Chaddha, a fertility expert; received multiple awards for the supporting role.

2012
Abhay (The Fearless)

Directed the film; earned the V. Shantaram Award for Best Director and the film won the National Film Award for Best Children’s Film.

1994
Antakshari

Hosted the popular music game show on television from 1993 to 2006, becoming widely known to audiences across India.

1993-2006
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Career Highlights

  1. Began career in theatre with his father’s travelling Parsi theatre company and trained at the National School of Drama
  2. Film debut in Mandi (1983) after being noticed on stage
  3. Directed Abhay (The Fearless), winner of a National Film Award for Best Children’s Film
  4. Hosted Antakshari (1993–2006), becoming a household name
  5. Awarded multiple honours for his supporting role in Vicky Donor (2012)
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Annu Kapoor born?

20 February 1956

What is Annu Kapoor known for?

Actor, Television Anchor, Film Director, Film Producer

What is Annu Kapoor’s marital status?

Married

Who is Annu Kapoor married to?

Anupama; Arunita Mukherjee