Annu’s suhaana safar: From humble beginnings to national acclaim, a heartfelt story of passion & perseverance

Actor-anchor Annu Kapoor showcased his quintessential Punjabi spirit as he quoted Bulleh Shah and was moved by the tale of Sohni on Thursday as he spoke at Chandigarh Press Club’s ‘meet and greet’ celebrating its 45 years!He spoke of his humble beginnings, on how he had to give up his IAS dreams to start working in his father’s drama company. Something that started as a matter of survival led to his stint at the National School of Drama, paving way to further struggles in Mumbai.With two National Awards to his name and the acclaimed Suhaana Safar with Annu Kapoor under his belt, he insists inspiration comes from the people around him. “I observe real life, learn from everyone, but I’m not influenced by any actor.”Making a distinction between a hero and a character actor, he explains how ‘heroes’ thrive on their style and character actors on power of their ability to lend a semblance of reality.His given name was Anil Kapoor but when he entered the industry, there was already a hero with the same name and thus he took the name ‘Annu’. “One might be a great character actor but in our industry, hero se chota hi rahta hai.”He might not have come as a ‘hero’ on screen, but his actual love life is filmy to the core. He remembers the first time he met his wife. “It was the March 31, 1992, I met her at five in the evening. By 5.35, I had proposed to her!” They got married in 17 days! Over three decades between them, he jokes, “She is just waiting for me to drop dead before she can head back to America.”Shayar to Annu hain and he regaled those present with some shayari, a few songs and more anecdotes. While people know about his acting signing skills, that his directorial won a National Award is a fact not so known. Abhay — The Fearless is a children’s film starring Nana Patekar, Benjamin Gilani and Moon Moon Sen. The film won the Best Children’s Film at the 42nd National Film Awards. Vicky Donor won him a National Award as the Best Supporting Actor.He continues to work. If 2024 saw five releases, including Hamare Baarah and Shaitaan, 2025 sees the release of the third outing of Jolly LLB.Turning 71, he holds the enthusiasm of a young at heart and continues to act and win his fans with Suhaana Safar With Annu Kapoor. Hosting shows round the world, his zest to continue is infectious. He makes a stark distinction between success and talent through a story. “Once a very talented man met the goddess of fame and fortune. He asked her why she keeps the company of mediocre folks. ‘When will you see me?’ he asked. And she answered, ‘I see geniuses in their grave!’”He laughs out loud at his own story, wishing more than once, “Next life, I need zero talent but super good looks!”Guru’s lesson that changed lifeOn the occasion of Guru Purnima, Annu Kapoor listed a whole lot of geniuses from varied fields whom he counts as his gurus, right from Einstein to Nikola Tesla. He narrated an incident as a tribute to his teacher, and a lesson he holds close to his heart. When in class ninth, his science teacher asked the class about Newton’s three laws of motion. When the class could only list the first and third, his teacher asked Annu (Anil). The look of dejection that Annu saw in his teacher’s eyes when even he couldn’t tell the second, killed something inside him. “I went crying back to hostel, understood the three laws - specially the second and took to my heart our teacher’s dictum – to understand before trying to remember it. Then on I have learnt not just from science’s big masters but also from our Upanishads, from Bulleh Shah to Kabir.”Unscripted & unapologeticThough Annu Kapoor admits he sees no films, listens to no TV debates and reads no newspapers, he answers any question posed to him happily. On Diljit Dosanjh working with Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, he goes, “Diljit is a very successful man, he should have known better not to.” He also addressed his 2012 film ‘Gali Chor Hai’ that had a dance number with a Pakistani actress Veena Malik. “I stick to my 2012 stance – the current situation between the two countries is not harmonious, so please excuse us, we cannot work together!” On the language issue arising in the country, he goes, “I speak Punjabi and Marathi but even if I or someone cannot, this is not a reason for violence, law must take its course.”

Annu’s suhaana safar: From humble beginnings to national acclaim, a heartfelt story of passion & perseverance

Mona

Unlock Premium Insights in This Article