Pankaj Kapur

Early and personal life

Pankaj Kapur was born on 29 May 1954 to a Hindu family in Ludhiana, Punjab. He completed his education in Punjab and developed a keen interest in theatre and acting while growing up. He then enrolled in the National School of Drama to pursue his interest.

He married actress and dancer Neelima Azeem in 1979. They were settled in New Delhi where they had their only child Shahid Kapoor in 1981. The couple divorced in 1984.

Pankaj Kapur went on to marry actress Supriya Pathak in 1988. They have one daughter Sanah Kapur and a son Ruhaan Kapur. On 2 March 2022 Sanah married Mayank Pahwa whereas in September 2023 Ruhaan married Manukriti Pahwa both siblings being the children of actors Manoj Pahwa and Seema Bhargava Pahwa.

Career

After graduating from the National School of Drama, he did theatre for the next four years until he was offered a role in Gandhi by Richard Attenborough. Over the years, as a director, he has done over 74 plays and serials, including Mohandas B.A.L.L.B., Wah Bhai Wah, Sahabji Biwiji Ghulamji and Drishtanth, Kanak Di Balli, Albert's Bridge and Panchvan Savaar.

He made his film debut with Shyam Benegal's film Arohan (1982). Following that he played Mahatma Gandhi's second secretary, Pyarelal Nayyar, in the Richard Attenborough film Gandhi in 1982. Later he dubbed for Ben Kingsley in the Hindi version of the film.

Thereafter he appeared in a string of art films that came under the parallel cinema category, with leading art films directors, starting with Shyam Benegal's Mandi (1983), Kundan Shah's comedy Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro again in 1983. This was followed by Saeed Akhtar Mirza satirical Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho! (1984), Mrinal Sen's Khandhar (1984), and Vidhu Vinod Chopra's suspense thriller Khamosh in 1985. He appeared in a number of art films, many of which went on to win National Film Awards.

In 1986, he switched to television, with the role of Karamchand jasoos(detective) in the detective-comedy, Karamchand, also starring Sushmita Mukherjee. Over the years he has been seen in numerous TV serials, including, Kab Tak Pukaroon (Doordarshan) Zabaan Sambhaal Ke (a remake of the English TV series, Mind Your Language), Lifeline with Vijaya Mehta, Neem ka Ped and finally comic interludes in Philips Top 10.

Meanwhile, his tryst with art cinema continued, as he starred in films like Chameli Ki Shaadi (1986), Ek Ruka Hua Faisla (1986), and Yeh Woh Manzil To Nahin (1987). In 1987, his comic side was visible again in the commercial action film Jalwa, also starring Naseeruddin Shah.

His first National Film Award came with the 1989 film, Raakh, which also starred Aamir Khan.

He starred in the classic Punjabi film Marhi Da Diva (1989). He featured in the 1992 Mani Ratnam film Roja directed. (Roja was made in Tamil and later dubbed in Hindi, Marathi, Telugu and Malayalam.)

His strongest performance in the early part of his career came from his lead role of struggling scientist in the film Ek Doctor Ki Maut (1991), for which he was awarded the 1991 National Film Award – Special Jury Award.

In 2000 he returned to television with the serial Office Office a satirical take on the prevalent corruption in India.

In 2003 he appeared in Maqbool, Vishal Bhardwaj's adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth. His antagonistic performance as the short-statured, potbellied, shuffle-footed Abbaji in Maqbool got him the 2004 National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor. Meanwhile, he released films like The Blue Umbrella (2005), Dus (2005) and Halla Bol (2008). In 2006, he started to be seen again on TV. In the TV series, Naya Office Office, a sequel to his previous series Office Office.

On 11 January 2013, the Vishal Bharadwaj-directed film Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola, starring Kapur was released.

In November 2019, Kapur made his literature debut with his novella '*Dopehri''', which he had written in 1992. Presently he appears in the television series named ‘Naya Office Office’ which itself is a sequel to the previous hit TV series ‘*Office Office''’. Now the actor can be seen in the movie Bheed, released on 24 March 2023.

Filmography

Director

• Mausam (2011) Starring Shahid Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Jaspal Bhatti
• Mohandas B.A.L.L.B. (1998)

Writer

• Sau Jhooth Ek Sach (2005)

Television

• Karamchand (Season 1) (1985–1988)
• Mungerilal Ke Haseen Sapne (1989-1990)
• Zabaan Sambhalke (Season 1) (1993-1994) as Mohan Bharti
• Neem Ka Ped (1991) as Budhai Ram
• Phatichar (1991)
• Lifeline with Vijaya Mehta
• Zabaan Sambhalke (Season 2) (1997-1998) as Mohan Bharti
• Mohandas B.A.L.L.B. (1997-1998)
• Office Office (2000) as Musaddi Lal
• Bharat Ek Khoj
• Tehreer Munshi Premchand Ki – Godaan & Kafan on Doordarshan (2004)
• Kab Tak Pukaroon
• Naya Office Office (2006–2009)
• Karamchand (Season 2) (2007)
• JL50 (2020)
• IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack (2024)
• Thode Dur Thode Paas (2025)

Dubbing roles

Live action films

Awards and nominations

References

References

1. (2 December 2017). "Punjab is a land of great writers and actors, says Pankaj Kapur". hindustantimes.com/.
2. (29 May 2021). "Happy Birthday Pankaj Kapur: What Shahid Kapoor has said about his Father".
3. Rathore, Vinod. (28 May 2020). "Pankaj Kapoor was on the hearts of people with this role".
4. (18 May 2020). "Neelima Azeem on divorce from Pankaj Kapur when Shahid Kapoor was 3.5 years old: 'I didn't decide to separate, he moved on'". Hindustan Times.
5. Garoo, Rohit. (17 October 2016). "Pankaj Kapur Marriage: Love Truly Deserves A Second Chance".
6. (November 2019). "Pankaj Kapur: My son Shahid Kapoor is smart. He became a star first, then an actor".
7. (5 February 2016). "Karamchand was first of its kind, says Pankaj Kapur".
8. (5 November 2019). "Pankaj Kapur on his literary debut and why it took 27 years".
9. (29 November 2019). "Actor Pankaj Kapur's debut novel 'Dopehri' revolves around 'Amma Bi'".
10. "Pankaj Kapur".
11. [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0157571/ Ek Ruka Hua Faisla (1986)]. imdb.com
12. (24 August 2018). "Pankaj Kapur in Toba Tek Singh".
13. (11 October 2021). "Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury on Lost: It will make you question, introspect, and tug at your heartstrings".
14. "‘Raavi de Kande’: A river runs redundant".
15. (21 December 2021). "Dimple Kapadia, Pankaj Kapur to star in rom-com 'Jab Khuli Kitaab'".
16. (29 October 2025). "Thode Door Thode Paas: Pankaj Kapur, Mona Singh and Kunaal Roy Kapur star in family drama; explores the need to unplug in digital age". The Times of India.