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{{Infobox person | {{Infobox person | ||
| name = Kunal | | name = Kunal Kapoor | ||
| image = Kunal | | image = Kunal Kapoor snapped at the Ketto event.jpg | ||
| caption = Kapoor in | | caption = Kapoor in 2018 | ||
| birth_date = {{ | | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1977|10|18|df=yes}} | ||
| birth_place = [[Mumbai | | birth_place = [[Mumbai]], India | ||
| occupation = Actor | | occupation = Actor | ||
| yearsactive = 2004–present | | yearsactive = 2004–present | ||
| spouse = {{marriage|Naina Bachchan|2015}} | | spouse = {{marriage|Naina Bachchan|2015}} | ||
| children = 1 | | children = 1 | ||
| | | family = [[Bachchan family]] (by marriage) | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Kunal Kishore Kapoor''' (born 18 October 1977) is an Indian actor | '''Kunal Kishore Kapoor''' (born 18 October 1977), professionally known as '''Kunal Kapoor''', is an Indian actor who works predominantly in [[Hindi]] films. Kapoor is a recipient of several accolades including a [[Stardust Awards|Stardust Award]] and an [[Asiavision Awards|Asiavision Award]]. | ||
Kapoor started his career as an [[assistant director]], and made his acting debut with the MF Hussain 2004 film ''[[Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities]]''. Following a career breakthrough with ''[[Rang De Basanti]]'' (2006), Kapoor went onto appear in ''[[Aaja Nachle]]'', ''[[Laaga Chunari Mein Daag]]'' in (2007), ''[[Bachna Ae Haseeno]]'' (2008), ''[[Welcome to Sajjanpur]]'' (2008), ''[[Don 2]]'' (2011), ''[[Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana]]'' (2012), ''[[Dear Zindagi]]'' (2016), ''[[Veeram (2016 film)|Veeram]]'' (2016), ''[[Gold (2018 film)|Gold]]'' (2018) After a break, Kapoor earned critical acclaim for his portrayal of [[Babur]], in ''[[The Empire (Indian TV series)|The Empire]]'' (2021). | |||
The actor will be seen next in the magnum opus [[Ramayan]] along with Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi. Next he will be seen in the Sidharth Anand, Netflix film ''[[Jewel Thief (2025 film)|Jewel Thief]]'' co starring [[Saif Ali Khan]]. He has finished a film for Aamir Khan productions which will release in 2025. And will also make his Telugu debut in ''[[Vishwambhara]]''. The film slated to be one of the most expensive Telugu films will see him joining forces with Chiranjeevi. He will also star in an action series to be shot in Lucknow, which he has co written. He has started a writers room to create scripts he wants to act in and produce. | |||
Along with his acting career, Kapoor is a writer, entrepreneur and co-founder of Ketto, Asia’s largest [[crowdfunding]] platform. The platform has raised over 150 million dollars for social and medical causes. Kapoor is married to [[Bachchan family#Third Generation|Naina Bachchan]], with whom he has a son. | |||
He is also a trained pilot and has participated in rally and Formula 3 racing. In addition to his work in entertainment, he has been an active angel investor in various emerging technology companies. He is a fellow of the Aspen Leadership Program. | |||
== Early life == | == Early life == | ||
Kapoor was born in Mumbai on 18 October 1977. His father, Kishore Kapoor was in the construction business and his mother, Kanan is a singer and homemaker. His parents are originally from Amritsar, Punjab. He is the youngest of three children, with two sisters Geeta and Reshma. | Kapoor was born in Mumbai on 18 October 1977. His father, Kishore Kapoor was in the construction business and his mother, Kanan is a singer and homemaker. His parents are originally from Amritsar, Punjab. He is the youngest of three children, with two sisters Geeta and Reshma. | ||
== | == Career == | ||
In February | === Debut and breakthrough (2004-2011) === | ||
Kapoor trained for an acting career under [[Barry John (theatre director)|Barry John]], and became a part of ''Motley,'' a theatre group run by acting legend [[Naseeruddin Shah]]. He began his career as an assistant director of ''[[Aks (2001 film)|Aks]],''<ref name="cool">{{cite news |url= http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/06/07/stories/2008060751120200.htm |title= Cool Kunal |access-date= 6 October 2008 |last= Paitandy |first= Priyadarshini |date= 7 June 2008 |newspaper= [[The Hindu]] |archive-date= 11 June 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080611054844/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/06/07/stories/2008060751120200.htm |url-status= dead }}</ref> Kapoor made his acting debut playing Kameshwar, a car mechanic, opposite [[Tabu (actress)|Tabu]] in ''[[Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities]]'', which was helmed by painter [[MF Hussain]] and released in 2004. Ronjita Kulkarni of ''[[Rediff.com]]'' termed him "a pleasant surprise" and added, "His freshness adds appeal to his character, yet he emotes like a seasoned actor."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/apr/01meenaxi.htm|title=Tabu is GLORIOUS!|first=Ronjita|last=Kulkarni|website=Rediff.com|date=1 April 2004|access-date=22 August 2023|archive-date=31 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731110908/https://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/apr/01meenaxi.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In 2006, Kapoor had his breakthrough with [[Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra]]'s ''[[Rang De Basanti]]'', where he played a college student who after a tragedy, fights against corruption with his friends.<ref name="rediff_pI">{{cite news|access-date=16 March 2008 |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/jan/12mehra.htm |title=Rang De is not a war film |last=Sen |first=Raja |date=12 January 2006 |work=Rediff.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227230137/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/jan/12mehra.htm |archive-date=27 February 2008 }}</ref> The film was critically and commercially successful and was nominated for [[BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language|Best Foreign Film]] at the 2007 [[BAFTA Awards]].<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/13/stories/2007021303052200.htm |title= 'Rang De Basanti' loses at BAFTA awards |access-date= 6 October 2008 |date= 13 February 2007 |newspaper=The Hindu |agency= Press Trust of India |archive-date= 8 November 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121108081902/http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/13/stories/2007021303052200.htm |url-status= dead }}</ref> Kamlesh Pandey, while writing for ''[[The Hindu]]'', praised him and stated that he scores with his "understated performance and intensity". Kapoor earned a nomination for [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Both dream and nightmare |last=Kamath |first=Sudhish |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=3 February 2006 |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2006/02/03/stories/2006020302480300.htm |access-date=4 May 2008 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225091011/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2006/02/03/stories/2006020302480300.htm <!--Added by H3llBot--> |archive-date=25 February 2008}}</ref> It also became the [[List of Hindi films of 2006|seventh-highest grossing Hindi film of the year]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://boxofficeindia.com/worldwide-total-gross.php?year=2006|title=Top Worldwide Grossers 2006|website=boxofficeindia.com}}</ref> | |||
Kapoor had three releases in 2007. Firstly, he played a cricket obsessed man in ''[[Hattrick (film)|Hattrick]]'' alongside [[Rimi Sen]]. [[Yash Raj Films]] subsequently signed Kapoor for a three-film contract, two of which released in the same year. He played Vivaan in ''[[Laaga Chunari Mein Daag]]'', opposite [[Konkona Sen Sharma]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=fb4f34e9-0bbd-4029-86ff-e148b847eb30&MatchID1=4573&TeamID1=8&TeamID2=2&MatchType1=2&SeriesID1=1146&PrimaryID=4573&Headline=Review:EM+Laaga+Chunari+Mein+Daag/EM |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211023916/http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=fb4f34e9-0bbd-4029-86ff-e148b847eb30&MatchID1=4573&TeamID1=8&TeamID2=2&MatchType1=2&SeriesID1=1146&PrimaryID=4573&Headline=Review:EM+Laaga+Chunari+Mein+Daag/EM |archive-date=2009-02-11 |title=Old whine, older bottle |work= Hindustan Times|date=11 February 2009}}</ref> Kapoor reunited with Sen Sharma in ''[[Aaja Nachle]]'', where he played Imran, a ring master who is forced to play Manju in a play.<ref>{{cite web |title=Box Office 2007 |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=214&catName=MjAwNw%3D%3D |website=boxofficeindia.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014132441/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=214&catName=MjAwNw%3D%3D |archive-date=14 October 2013}}</ref> [[Khalid Mohammed]] from ''[[Hindustan Times]]'' found him a bit "confused".<ref name="AN HT Review">{{cite web |title=Movie Review:AAJA NACHLE |website=Dixit cannot Fix it |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=fc42d641-abeb-4bfe-a5f2-7875e359864f&MatchID1=4603&TeamID1=6&TeamID2=7&MatchType1=1&SeriesID1=1157&PrimaryID=4603&Headline=Review%3a+EMAaja%2fEM+EMNachle%2fEM |access-date=30 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215025442/http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=fc42d641-abeb-4bfe-a5f2-7875e359864f&MatchID1=4603&TeamID1=6&TeamID2=7&MatchType1=1&SeriesID1=1157&PrimaryID=4603&Headline=Review%3A+EMAaja%2FEM+EMNachle%2FEM |archive-date=15 December 2007 | url-status= dead}}</ref> | |||
Kapoor played a Punjabi, Joginder opposite [[Minissha Lamba]] in the 2008 film ''[[Bachna Ae Haseeno]]'', his third with Yash Raj Films. It became the [[List of Hindi films of 2008|eighth-highest grossing Hindi film of the year]].<ref name="Bachna Ae Haseeno">{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=323|title=Bachna Ae Haseeno|publisher=[[Box Office India]]}}</ref> In the same year, he played Bansi Ram, a laborer at a dockyard in ''[[Welcome to Sajjanpur]]'', opposite [[Amrita Rao]]. The film was a critical and commercial success. [[Taran Adarsh]] termed his presence as a "surprise".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2008-09-19|title=Movie Review: Welcome to Sajjanpur|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/welcome-to-sajjanpur/critic-review/welcome-to-sajjanpur-movie-review/|access-date=2021-08-18|website=Bollywood Hungama|language=en}}</ref> | |||
After this, Kapoor took a break for two years. In 2010, he then played an aspiring Kashmiri politician in [[Rahul Dholakia]]'s ''[[Lamhaa]]'' co-starring [[Sanjay Dutt]]. It was a box office failure, but critics hailed his performance as "one of the most powerful performances of the year".<ref>{{cite news|last=Kazmi|first=Nikhat|title=Lamhaa: Movie Review|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/hindi/Lamhaa/moviereview/6172410.cms|newspaper=Times of India|access-date=16 July 2010|date=15 July 2010}}</ref> In 2011, Kapoor played Sameer, a hacker in [[Shah Rukh Khan]] starrer ''[[Don 2]]''. The film became the [[List of Hindi films of 2011|second-highest grossing film of the year]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/box-office/top-grossers/year/2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131129091857/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/box-office/top-grossers/year/2011 |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 November 2013 |title=Bollywood Box Office: Top Grossers in INDIA for 2011 |website=Bollywood Hungama |access-date=7 October 2013}}</ref> ''[[Bollywood Hungama]]'' found Kapoor to be "decent" but thought that he doesn't really get the scenes to prove his credentials.<ref>{{cite web|title=Don 2 Review |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/525404|date=23 December 2011|website=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |access-date=23 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107175606/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/525404 |archive-date=7 January 2012 }}</ref> | |||
=== Career fluctuations (2012-2020) === | |||
[[File:Huma Qureshi and Kunal Kapoor at 4th Jagran Film Festival.jpg|thumb|Kapoor promoting ''[[Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana]]'']] | |||
In 2012, Kapoor appeared in [[Sameer Sharma (director)|Sameer Sharma]]'s ''[[Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana]]'', which he co-wrote. Alongside [[Huma Qureshi]], he played a Omi, who desire to go to London but is forced to move back home. Rachel Saltz of ''[[The New York Times]]'' called Kapoor the Indian [[Matthew McConaughey]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/02/movies/luv-shuv-tey-chicken-khurana-with-kunal-kapoor.html?_r=0 |title=Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana Movie Review |work=The New York Times |date=November 2012 |access-date=27 February 2017 |archive-date=14 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814100439/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/02/movies/luv-shuv-tey-chicken-khurana-with-kunal-kapoor.html?_r=0 |url-status=live |last1=Saltz |first1=Rachel }}</ref> ''[[Live Mint]]''{{'}}s Sanjukta Sharma stated, "Kapoor is not the cynosure, but he pulls off the silliness and sensitivity of Omi’s character capably."<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/13pzASJRYzOkW2fYCbvGyN/Film-Review--Luv-Shuv-Tey-Chicken-Khurana.html?facet=amp |title=Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana Movie Review |work=Live Mint |date=31 October 2012 |access-date=27 February 2017 |archive-date=14 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814100439/https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/13pzASJRYzOkW2fYCbvGyN/Film-Review--Luv-Shuv-Tey-Chicken-Khurana.html?facet=amp |url-status=live |last1=Sharma |first1=Sanjukta }}</ref> Post a two year hiatus, Kapoor appeared in ''[[Kaun Kitne Paani Mein]]'', in 2015. He played Raj, an upper caste boy alongside [[Radhika Apte]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/kaun-kitney-paani-mein/box-office/ |title=Kaun Kitney Paani Mein - Box Office |website=Bollywood Hungama|date=28 August 2015 |access-date=28 August 2015 }}</ref> Renuka Vyavahare of ''[[Times of India]]'' found him to be "aptly cast", but his love story with Apte was termed to "digresses from the core subject".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/kaun-kitney-paani-mein/movie-review/48712253.cms |title=Kaun Kitney Paani Mein Movie Review |work=The Times of India|access-date=29 September 2016}}</ref> | |||
In 2016, Kapoor played Raghuvendra, a film producer opposite [[Alia Bhatt]] in ''[[Dear Zindagi]]''. It emerged as a commercial success.<ref name="gross">{{cite web |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/box-office-special-features/box-office-worldwide-collections-day-wise-breakup-dear-zindagi/ |title=Box Office: Worldwide Collections and Day wise breakup of Dear Zindagi |work=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|access-date=28 November 2016 |date=26 November 2016|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129171250/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/box-office-special-features/box-office-worldwide-collections-day-wise-breakup-dear-zindagi/ |archive-date=29 November 2016}}</ref> Sweta Kaushal of ''Hindustan Times'' noted, "Kunal Kapoor, gets an edge among the youngsters and essays his part with finesse."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/dear-zindagi-review-shah-rukh-khan-is-charming-but-this-life-is-unreal/story-Q2qdCtY4pO2rBQzj39ZEHN.html |title=Dear Zindagi review: Shah Rukh Khan is charming but this life is unreal |date=28 November 2016|access-date=28 November 2016 |author=Sweta Kaushal |work=Hindustan Times|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128085139/http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/dear-zindagi-review-shah-rukh-khan-is-charming-but-this-life-is-unreal/story-Q2qdCtY4pO2rBQzj39ZEHN.html |archive-date=28 November 2016}}</ref> That same year, Kapoor voiced for [[Rama]] in ''[[Mahayoddha Rama]]'', an animation film by Raizada Rohit Jaising Vaid.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=6879ee94-8d4d-4224-ba67-889fbdb768f8&ParentID=7d666bf8-2a37-4a6d-8f6a-296492cdd87c&&Headline=EMRamayana%2fEM+returns |title= ''Ramayana'' returns |access-date= 6 October 2008 |last= Reddy |first= Sujata |date= 4 August 2008 |work= [[Hindustan Times]] |archive-date= 16 September 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080916194110/http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=6879ee94-8d4d-4224-ba67-889fbdb768f8&ParentID=7d666bf8-2a37-4a6d-8f6a-296492cdd87c&&Headline=EMRamayana%2FEM+returns |url-status= dead }}</ref> In her final work of the year, Kapoor appeared in the trilingual film, ''[[Veeram (2016 film)|Veeram]]'', directed by [[Jayaraj]]. He played a sixteenth century warrior [[Chandu Chekavar]], in his Malayalam debut.<ref>{{cite news|last=K. S.|first=Aravind|title=Director Jayaraj creates history|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/151213/entertainment-mollywood/article/director-jayaraj-creates-history|access-date=19 August 2016|work=Deccan Chronicle|date=13 December 2015}}</ref> His performance won him an [[Asiavision Awards|Asiavision Award]]. G. Ragesh of ''[[Onmanorama]]'' praised his "exceptional skills in kalari" and said that Kapoor "looks every bit" the masculine Chandu.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ragesh|first=G.|title=Veeram Movie Review|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/veeram-jayaraj-macbeth-rediscovering-chandu-review.html|access-date=23 December 2017|work=Onmanorama|date=27 February 2017}}</ref> | |||
Kapoor | |||
[[Tigmanshu Dhulia]]'s ''[[Raag Desh (film)|Raag Desh]]'', based on the [[Indian National Army trials]] was Kapoor only release in 2017. He played [[Shah Nawaz Khan (general)|Shah Nawaz Khan]], and Saibal Chatterjee of ''[[NDTV]]'' stated that Kapoor delivered a "steady performance". He also appeared in a short film, ''White Shirt'', in the same year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/raag-desh-movie-review-this-riveting-tale-is-part-war-film-part-courtroom-drama-1730343 |title=Raag Desh Movie Review: This Riveting Tale Is Part War Film, Part Courtroom Drama |publisher=NDTV |access-date=22 November 2017}}</ref> | |||
Kapoor played a hockey player, Samrat in his first release of 2018, ''[[Gold (2018 film)|Gold]]''. The film is based on the journey of India's [[India men's national field hockey team|national hockey team]] to the [[1948 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theweek.co.uk/87990/yorkshire-transformed-into-bollywood-film-set-for-gold |title=Yorkshire transformed into Bollywood film set for Gold |work=The Week |date=24 August 2017 |accessdate=27 September 2018}}</ref> It was a critical and commercial success.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/box-office-special-features/box-office-worldwide-collections-day-wise-break-gold/ |title=Box Office: Worldwide Collections and Day wise breakup of Gold |website=Bollywood Hungama|access-date=2 September 2018|date=16 August 2018}}</ref> Devesh Sharma of ''[[Filmfare]]'' noted, "Kunal Kapoor as the strict coach lend gravitas."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.filmfare.com/reviews/bollywood-movies/gold-movie-review-a-dramatisation-of-the-events-leading-to-india-winning-first-ever-olympic-gold-29807.amp |title=Gold Movie Review |website=Filmfare|access-date=12 September 2018|author=Devesh Sharma}}</ref> Kapoor played David in his Telugu debut, ''[[Devadas (2018 film)|Devadas]]'', another major box office success that earned him [[SIIMA Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role – Telugu]] nomination.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/2018s-tollywood-movies-box-office-collection-list-highest-grossing-telugu-films-year-780150|title= Tollywood box office report of 2018: highest grossing Telugu movies of year; List of hits and flops|website= [[International Business Times]]|date=23 November 2018|access-date=5 May 2021}}</ref> His final release that year was the English film ''[[Noblemen (film)|Noblemen]]'', where he played Murali, a drama teacher.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/kunal-kapoor-will-teach-shakespeare-s-plays-in-vandana-kataria-s-the-noblemen/story-TIXlyMoScBTEtq5NOccHfO.html |title= Kunal Kapoor will teach Shakespeare's plays in Vandana Kataria's The Noblemen |newspaper=Hindustan Times|date= 18 March 2017 |accessdate=28 March 2017}}</ref> Sreeparna Sengupta of ''Times of India'' found him to be "charming and effective".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/english/movie-reviews/noblemen/movie-review/69977967.cms|title=NOBLEMEN MOVIE REVIEW|work=The Times of India|first=Sreeparna|last=Sengupta|date=28 June 2019|access-date=25 August 2019}}</ref> | |||
=== Recent work and web expansion (2021-present) === | |||
Kapoor returned to films in 2021. His first release was ''[[Koi Jaane Na]]'', opposite [[Amyra Dastur]], where he played Kabir, a writer and vigilante.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/koi-jaane-na-trailer-kunal-kapoor-amyra-dastur-murder-mystery-video-7237165/|title=Koi Jaane Na trailer: Fact meets fiction in this Kunal Kapoor starrer murder mystery|access-date=21 March 2021|work=The Indian Express|date=20 March 2021 }}</ref> Aditya Mani Jha of ''[[Firstpost]]'' found his performance "underwhelming".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/koi-jaane-na-movie-review-kunal-kapoors-film-is-narratively-weak-with-veneer-thin-characters-9491901.html/amp|title=Koi Jaane Na movie review: Kunal Kapoor's film is narratively weak with veneer-thin characters|access-date=26 July 2021|work=Firstpost |author=Aditya Mani Jha|date=3 April 2021 }}</ref> Kapoor then made his web debut, playing Mughal emperor [[Babur]] opposite [[Sahher Bambba]], who played his wife, in ''[[The Empire (Indian TV series)|The Empire]]''.<ref name="Teaser">{{cite web | title=Nikkhil Advani's web series The Empire to launch on Disney+Hotstar soon | website=India Today | date=2021-07-09 | url=https://www.indiatoday.in/binge-watch/story/nikkhil-advani-s-web-series-the-empire-to-launch-on-disney-hotstar-soon-1825982-2021-07-09 | access-date=2021-08-17}}</ref> Vibha Maru of ''[[India Today]]'' praised Kapoor and noted, "The actor breathes life into the character of Babur. Instead of making him a larger-than-life figure, Kunal shows Babur's vulnerability and everything else that makes him human."<ref>{{Cite magazine|author=Vibha Maru |date=August 27, 2021 |title=The Empire Review: Kunal Kapoor and Shabana Azmi rule this historical drama|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/binge-watch/story/the-empire-review-kunal-kapoor-and-shabana-azmi-rule-this-historical-drama-1845853-2021-08-27|access-date=2021-09-20|magazine=India Today|language=en}}</ref> While Pradeep Menon of ''Firstpost'' added, "Kunal cuts an impressive figure as Babur, but he is caricatures at the end of the day."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-08-27|title=The Empire review: Full marks for ambition, yet familiar clichés abound|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/the-empire-review-full-marks-for-ambition-yet-familiar-cliches-abound-9916601.html|access-date=2021-09-21|website=Firstpost}}</ref> ''[[Netflix]]''{{'}}s anthology ''[[Ankahi Kahaniya]]'', marked his final work of the year. ''[[The Quint]]''{{'}}s Stutee Ghosh noted, "The film is quite bizzare, though, Kunal Kapoor is effortlessly charming and one sure wants to see more of him."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-09-17|title=Ankahi Kahaniya Review: Abhishek Chaubey's Tender Short is a Clear Winner|url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/ankahi-kahaniya-review-abhishek-chaubey-ashwiny-iyer-tiwari-kunal-kapoor-rinku-rajguru-abhishek-banerjee|access-date=2021-09-26|website=The Quint}}</ref> | |||
Kapoor | == Personal life == | ||
A year after getting engaged, Kapoor married [[Bachchan family#Third generation|Naina Bachchan]], niece of [[Amitabh Bachchan]] in a private family ceremony in [[Seychelles]] on 9 February 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/kunal-kapoor-weds-amitabh-bachchans-niece-naina/article6878464.ece/|work=The Hindu|title=Kunal Kapoor weds Amitabh Bachchan's niece Naina|date=11 February 2015|access-date=10 February 2015|archive-date=21 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221143426/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/kunal-kapoor-weds-amitabh-bachchans-niece-naina/article6878464.ece/amp/|url-status=live}}</ref> A celebration dinner was held on 11 April 2015 in [[New Delhi]]. Bachchan is a banker by profession.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.vervemagazine.in/people/naina-bachchan-and-kunal-kapoor-love-story|work=The Hindu|title=Kunal Kapoor and Naina Bachchan fairy tale love story|date=5 April 2016|access-date=28 December 2019|archive-date=14 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914143426/https://www.vervemagazine.in/people/naina-bachchan-and-kunal-kapoor-love-story|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Naina Bachchan and Kunal Kapoor's wedding reception|url=https://www.vogue.in/content/naina-bachchan-kunal-kapoor-wedding-reception|date=21 April 2016|access-date=12 November 2020|archive-date=22 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922143426/https://www.vogue.in/content/naina-bachchan-kunal-kapoor-wedding-reception|url-status=live|website=Vogue India|language=en-IN}}</ref> The couple announced the birth of their baby boy on 31 January 2022.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/kunal-kapoor-naina-bachchan-welcome-baby-boy-celebs-say-congrats-1906822-2022-01-31|work=India Today|title=Kunal Kapoor, Naina Bachchan welcome baby boy. Celebs say congrats|date=31 January 2022|access-date=12 February 2022|archive-date=19 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419143426/https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/celebrities/story/kunal-kapoor-naina-bachchan-welcome-baby-boy-celebs-say-congrats-1906822-2022-01-31|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
==Other work and media image== | |||
[[File:Kunal KAPOOR.jpg|thumb|Kapoor in 2015]] | |||
''[[Filmfare]]'' termed Kapoor an "interesting actor" and added, "Kapoor may not feature in many films, but there is something about him that makes the audience sit back and take notice of him."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.filmfare.com/news/bollywood/kunal-kapoor-reveals-he-is-an-accidental-actor-50968.html|title=Kunal Kapoor reveals he is an accidental actor|archive-date=12 January 2022|access-date=22 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220112031052/https://m.filmfare.com/news/bollywood/kunal-kapoor-reveals-he-is-an-accidental-actor-50968.html|url-status=live|work=Filmfare}}</ref> | |||
In 2009, Kapoor started writing weekly columns for ''HT City'', the lifestyle supplement of the ''[[Hindustan Times]]''. These columns ended in November 2009 but still appear online on the social network Desimartini.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.desimartini.com/DM/ht-city/celebrity/Kunal-Kapoor/0-7873998-0-502.htm |title= Kunal Kapoor columns |access-date= 24 October 2008 |publisher= Desimartini |archive-date= 30 July 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090730045822/http://www.desimartini.com/DM/ht-city/celebrity/Kunal-Kapoor/0-7873998-0-502.htm |url-status= | In 2009, Kapoor started writing weekly columns for ''HT City'', the lifestyle supplement of the ''[[Hindustan Times]]''. These columns ended in November 2009 but still appear online on the social network Desimartini.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.desimartini.com/DM/ht-city/celebrity/Kunal-Kapoor/0-7873998-0-502.htm |title= Kunal Kapoor columns |access-date= 24 October 2008 |publisher= Desimartini |archive-date= 30 July 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090730045822/http://www.desimartini.com/DM/ht-city/celebrity/Kunal-Kapoor/0-7873998-0-502.htm |url-status= dead }}</ref> | ||
He is a trained pilot and rally car driver.{{ | He is a trained pilot and rally car driver.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kunal Kapoor Birthday Special: Here's Taking A Look At How 2021 Has Been A Fantastic Year For The Actor |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/entertainment-news-kunal-kapoor-birthday-special-heres-taking-a-look-at-how-2021-has-been-a-fantastic-year-for-the-actor/397993 |access-date=20 November 2022 |work=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook India]] |date=18 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Bhandari |first=Kabir Singh |title=Sneak Peek: Kunal Kapoor On What Makes Him Stronger |url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/en-in/lifestyle/sneak-peek-kunal-kapoor-on-what-makes-him-stronger/435486 |website=Entrepreneur |access-date=20 November 2022 |language=en |date=21 September 2022}}</ref> In 2014, he started training for the [[Formula Three]]. He co-founded Asia's largest crowdfunding platform called Ketto,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://etailingindiaexpo.com/speakers/kunal-kapoor/|title=Speaker Profile of Kunal Kapoor at Etailing India|website=ETailing India|archive-date=10 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210031052/http://etailingindiaexpo.com/speakers/kunal-kapoor/|url-status=dead}}</ref> which raises money for social and individual causes. To date, the platform has raised close to 120 million dollars and is one of the largest crowdfunding platforms in the world. He is also known to be an avid investor in early stage tech companies with investments ranging from FMCG companies to robotics {{citation needed|date=September 2016}} | ||
He is also known for his style and has been voted amongst the most stylish men in the country. He was on GQ's list of the top ten stylish men in the country. | He is also known for his style and has been voted amongst the most stylish men in the country. He was on GQ's list of the top ten stylish men in the country. | ||
== Filmography == | == Filmography == | ||
=== | === Films === | ||
* ''All films are in Hindi unless otherwise noted.'' | * ''All films are in Hindi unless otherwise noted.'' | ||
{|class="wikitable" | {|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" | ||
! Year | ! Year | ||
! Title | ! Title | ||
! Role | ! Role | ||
! Notes | ! class="unsortable"|Notes | ||
! class="unsortable"|{{Tooltip|Ref.|References}} | |||
|- | |||
| 2001 | |||
! scope="row"| ''[[Aks (2001 film)|Aks]]'' | |||
| {{N/A}} | |||
| Assistant director | |||
| | |||
|- | |- | ||
| 2004 | | 2004 | ||
| ''[[Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities]]'' | ! scope="row"| ''[[Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities]]'' | ||
| Kameshwar Mathur | | Kameshwar Mathur | ||
| Credited as Kunnal Kapoor | |||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 2006 | | 2006 | ||
| ''[[Rang De Basanti]]'' | ! scope="row"| ''[[Rang De Basanti]]'' | ||
| Aslam / [[Ashfaqulla Khan]] | | Aslam Khan / [[Ashfaqulla Khan]]{{efn|Kapoor played a single character with two or more names|name=names}} | ||
| | | | ||
|<ref>{{cite news|access-date=18 March 2008 |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/04/13/stories/2004041300100400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040602111449/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/04/13/stories/2004041300100400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 June 2004 |title=The long act |last=Rajamani |first=Radhika |work=The Hindu |date=13 April 2004 }}</ref> | |||
|- | |- | ||
| 2007 | | rowspan="3" | 2007 | ||
| ''[[Hattrick (film)|Hattrick]]'' | ! scope="row"| ''[[Hattrick (film)|Hattrick]]'' | ||
| Saby | | Sarabjeet "Saby" Singh | ||
| | |||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row"| ''[[Laaga Chunari Mein Daag]]'' | |||
| ''[[Laaga Chunari Mein Daag]]'' | | Vivaan Verma | ||
| Vivaan | | | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row"| ''[[Aaja Nachle]]'' | |||
| ''[[Aaja Nachle]]'' | | Imran Pathan / Majnu{{efn|Kapoor played a single character with two or more names|name=names}} | ||
| Imran Pathan | | | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 2008 | | rowspan="2" | 2008 | ||
| ''[[Bachna Ae Haseeno]]'' | ! scope="row"| ''[[Bachna Ae Haseeno]]'' | ||
| Joginder Ahluwalia | | Joginder "Jogi" Singh Ahluwalia | ||
| | |||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row"| ''[[Welcome to Sajjanpur]]'' | |||
| ''[[Welcome to Sajjanpur]]'' | |||
| Bansi Ram | | Bansi Ram | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 2010 | | 2010 | ||
| ''[[Lamhaa]]'' | ! scope="row"| ''[[Lamhaa]]'' | ||
| Aatif | | Aatif Hussain | ||
| | | | ||
|<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=Entertainment-Bollywood§id=30&contentid=2008092120080921022705318ab4531c4 |author=Subhash K Jha |title=Safe sets? |newspaper=Mumbai Mirror |access-date=21 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322062037/http://www.mumbaimirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=Entertainment-Bollywood§id=30&contentid=2008092120080921022705318ab4531c4 |archive-date=22 March 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
|- | |- | ||
| 2011 | | 2011 | ||
| ''[[Don 2]]'' | ! scope="row"| ''[[Don 2]]'' | ||
| Sameer Ali | | Sameer "Sam" Ali | ||
| | |||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 2012 | | 2012 | ||
| ''[[Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana]]'' | ! scope="row"| ''[[Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana]]'' | ||
| Omi Khurana | | Omi Khurana | ||
| | | | ||
|<ref>{{cite news|title=Kunal Kapoor chickens out of workouts|author=Roshmila Bhattacharya|date=17 January 2012|work=Hindustan Times|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/Kunal-Kapoor-chickens-out-of-workouts/Article1-798378.aspx|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118010002/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/Kunal-Kapoor-chickens-out-of-workouts/Article1-798378.aspx|archivedate=18 January 2012}}</ref> | |||
|- | |- | ||
| 2015 | | 2015 | ||
| '' [[Kaun Kitne Paani Mein]]'' | ! scope="row"| '' [[Kaun Kitne Paani Mein]]'' | ||
| Raj Singhdeo | | Raj Singhdeo | ||
| | |||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 2016 | | rowspan="3" |2016 | ||
| ''[[Dear Zindagi]]'' | ! scope="row"| ''[[Dear Zindagi]]'' | ||
| Raghuvendra | | Raghuvendra | ||
| | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
! scope="row"| ''[[Mahayoddha Rama]]'' | |||
| [[Rama]] | |||
| Animated film; Voice only | |||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row"| ''[[Veeram (2016 film)|Veeram]]'' | |||
|''[[Veeram (2016 film)|Veeram]]'' | |||
| [[Chandu Chekavar]] | | [[Chandu Chekavar]] | ||
| [[Malayalam]] film | | Simultaneously shot in [[Malayalam]] and English | ||
|<ref>{{cite news|last=Lohana|first=Avinash|title=Kunal Kapoor is a warrior in trilingual Macbeth|url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/entertainment/bollywood/Kunal-is-a-warrior-in-trilingual-Macbeth/articleshow/50444338.cms|access-date=20 September 2016|work=Mumbai Mirror|date=5 January 2016}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
| rowspan="2" |2017 | |||
! scope="row"| ''[[Raag Desh (film)|Raag Desh]]'' | |||
| [[Shah Nawaz Khan (general)|Shah Nawaz Khan]] | |||
| | |||
| | |||
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row"| ''[[White Shirt]]'' | |||
|''[[ | | Aveek | ||
| | | Short film | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
|2018 | | rowspan="3" |2018 | ||
|''[[Gold (2018 film)|Gold]]'' | ! scope="row"|''[[Gold (2018 film)|Gold]]'' | ||
|Samrat | | Samrat | ||
| | |||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row"| ''[[Devadas (2018 film)|Devadas]]'' | |||
|''[[Devadas (2018 film)|Devadas]]'' | |||
| David | | David | ||
| [[Telugu language|Telugu]] film | | [[Telugu language|Telugu]] film | ||
| | |||
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row"| ''[[Noblemen (film)|Noblemen]]'' | |||
|''[[Noblemen (film)|Noblemen]]'' | |||
| Murali | | Murali | ||
| | | [[English language|English]] film | ||
|<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/kunal-kapoor-to-star-in-bullying-drama-nobleman-118042401115_1.html|title=Kunal Kapoor to star in bullying drama 'Nobleman'|agency=Press Trust of India|date=2018-04-24|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2018-04-27}}</ref> | |||
|- | |- | ||
|2021 | | rowspan="2" |2021 | ||
|''[[Koi Jaane Na]]'' | ! scope="row"| ''[[Koi Jaane Na]]'' | ||
| Kabir Kapoor | | Kabir Kapoor | ||
| | | | ||
|<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/koi-jaane-na-director-amin-hajee-kicks-off-the-psychological-thriller-starring-kunal-kapoor-and-amyra-dastur/articleshow/67538424.cms|title=Koi Jaane Na: Director Amin Hajee kicks off the psychological thriller starring Kunal Kapoor and Amyra Dastur |website=The Times of India|access-date=15 January 2019 }}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
! scope="row"| ''[[Ankahi Kahaniya]]'' | |||
| Manav | |||
| [[Saket Chaudhary]]'s segment | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
| rowspan="1" | 2025 | |||
! scope="row"| ''[[Jewel Thief (2025 film)|Jewel Thief]]'' | |||
| Vikram Patel | |||
| | |||
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Siddharth Anand and Saif Ali Khan ream up after 17 years; duo gets snapped outside Marflix Pictures office joins|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/siddharth-anand-saif-ali-khan-ream-17-years-duo-gets-snapped-outside-marflix-pictures-office/ |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=Bollywood Hungama|date=6 April 2024 }}</ref> | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | | 2026 | ||
| | | {{Pending film|[[Ek Din]]}} | ||
| | | {{TableTBA}} | ||
| | | Filming | ||
| | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | | 2026 | ||
| [[ | | {{Pending film|[[Vishwambhara]]}} | ||
| | | {{TableTBA}} | ||
| [[ | | Telugu film; filming | ||
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 April 2024 |title=Vishwambhara new schedule begins today – idlebrain.com |url=https://www.idlebrain.com/news/today/vishwambhara-newschedule-today.html |access-date=2024-04-23 |website=[[idlebrain.com|Idlebrain]]}}</ref> | |||
|} | |} | ||
=== | === Television === | ||
{| class="wikitable | {|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" | ||
! Year | ! Year | ||
! | ! Title | ||
! | ! Role | ||
! Notes | ! class="unsortable"|Notes | ||
! class="unsortable"|{{Tooltip|Ref.|References}} | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | | 2017 | ||
| '' | ! scope="row"| ''Bar Code'' | ||
| | | Himself | ||
| Special appearance | |||
| | | | ||
|- | |||
| 2021 | |||
! scope="row"| ''[[The Empire (Indian TV series)|The Empire]]'' | |||
| [[Babur]] | |||
| | |||
|<ref>{{cite web | title=The Empire trailer: Hotstar brings Bhansali-level scale to small screen 'in India's biggest show', watch | website=Hindustan Times | date=7 August 2021 | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/web-series/the-empire-trailer-hotstar-brings-bhansali-level-scale-to-small-screen-in-india-s-biggest-show-watch-101628315290960.html | access-date=25 October 2021}}</ref> | |||
|} | |} | ||
==Awards and nominations== | ==Awards and nominations== | ||
*2006: Star's Sabsey Favourite Naya Hero<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060509/asp/calcutta/story_6197786.asp |title= Pop poll of the star-struck |access-date= 6 October 2008 |last= Gupta |first= Pratim D. |date= 9 May 2006 |work= [[The Telegraph (Calcutta)|The Telegraph]] |archive-date= 19 May 2006 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060519161721/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060509/asp/calcutta/story_6197786.asp |url-status= | *2006: Star's Sabsey Favourite Naya Hero<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060509/asp/calcutta/story_6197786.asp |title= Pop poll of the star-struck |access-date= 6 October 2008 |last= Gupta |first= Pratim D. |date= 9 May 2006 |work= [[The Telegraph (Calcutta)|The Telegraph]] |archive-date= 19 May 2006 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060519161721/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060509/asp/calcutta/story_6197786.asp |url-status= dead }}</ref> | ||
*2007: Stardust Breakthrough Performance, Male<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.tonight.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3702742&fSectionId=395&fSetId=251 |title= Mumbai hosts Max Stardust awards |access-date= 6 October 2008 |last= Shah |first= Diti |author2= Navgire, Moses |date= 26 February 2007 |publisher= Tonight }}{{Dead link|date=August 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> | *2007: Stardust Breakthrough Performance, Male<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.tonight.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3702742&fSectionId=395&fSetId=251 |title= Mumbai hosts Max Stardust awards |access-date= 6 October 2008 |last= Shah |first= Diti |author2= Navgire, Moses |date= 26 February 2007 |publisher= Tonight }}{{Dead link|date=August 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> | ||
{| class="wikitable sortable" | {| class="wikitable sortable" | ||
| Line 219: | Line 289: | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
*[[ | *[[Bachchan Family]] | ||
{{ | == Notes == | ||
{{Notelist}} | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
| Line 228: | Line 299: | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
* {{IMDb name|1577858}} | * {{IMDb name|1577858}} | ||
{{Commons}} | |||
{{Authority control}} | {{Authority control}} | ||
Latest revision as of 10:55, 19 March 2026
Kunal Kapoor | |
|---|---|
 Kapoor in 2018 | |
| Born | 18 October 1977 Mumbai, India |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Spouse(s) | Naina Bachchan ( m. 2015) |
| Children | 1 |
| Family | Bachchan family (by marriage) |
Kunal Kishore Kapoor (born 18 October 1977), professionally known as Kunal Kapoor, is an Indian actor who works predominantly in Hindi films. Kapoor is a recipient of several accolades including a Stardust Award and an Asiavision Award.
Kapoor started his career as an assistant director, and made his acting debut with the MF Hussain 2004 film Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities. Following a career breakthrough with Rang De Basanti (2006), Kapoor went onto appear in Aaja Nachle, Laaga Chunari Mein Daag in (2007), Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008), Welcome to Sajjanpur (2008), Don 2 (2011), Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana (2012), Dear Zindagi (2016), Veeram (2016), Gold (2018) After a break, Kapoor earned critical acclaim for his portrayal of Babur, in The Empire (2021). The actor will be seen next in the magnum opus Ramayan along with Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi. Next he will be seen in the Sidharth Anand, Netflix film Jewel Thief co starring Saif Ali Khan. He has finished a film for Aamir Khan productions which will release in 2025. And will also make his Telugu debut in Vishwambhara. The film slated to be one of the most expensive Telugu films will see him joining forces with Chiranjeevi. He will also star in an action series to be shot in Lucknow, which he has co written. He has started a writers room to create scripts he wants to act in and produce.
Along with his acting career, Kapoor is a writer, entrepreneur and co-founder of Ketto, Asia’s largest crowdfunding platform. The platform has raised over 150 million dollars for social and medical causes. Kapoor is married to Naina Bachchan, with whom he has a son.
He is also a trained pilot and has participated in rally and Formula 3 racing. In addition to his work in entertainment, he has been an active angel investor in various emerging technology companies. He is a fellow of the Aspen Leadership Program.
Early life[edit | edit source]
Kapoor was born in Mumbai on 18 October 1977. His father, Kishore Kapoor was in the construction business and his mother, Kanan is a singer and homemaker. His parents are originally from Amritsar, Punjab. He is the youngest of three children, with two sisters Geeta and Reshma.
Career[edit | edit source]
Debut and breakthrough (2004-2011)[edit | edit source]
Kapoor trained for an acting career under Barry John, and became a part of Motley, a theatre group run by acting legend Naseeruddin Shah. He began his career as an assistant director of Aks,[1] Kapoor made his acting debut playing Kameshwar, a car mechanic, opposite Tabu in Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities, which was helmed by painter MF Hussain and released in 2004. Ronjita Kulkarni of Rediff.com termed him "a pleasant surprise" and added, "His freshness adds appeal to his character, yet he emotes like a seasoned actor."[2]
In 2006, Kapoor had his breakthrough with Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's Rang De Basanti, where he played a college student who after a tragedy, fights against corruption with his friends.[3] The film was critically and commercially successful and was nominated for Best Foreign Film at the 2007 BAFTA Awards.[4] Kamlesh Pandey, while writing for The Hindu, praised him and stated that he scores with his "understated performance and intensity". Kapoor earned a nomination for Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor.[5] It also became the seventh-highest grossing Hindi film of the year.[6]
Kapoor had three releases in 2007. Firstly, he played a cricket obsessed man in Hattrick alongside Rimi Sen. Yash Raj Films subsequently signed Kapoor for a three-film contract, two of which released in the same year. He played Vivaan in Laaga Chunari Mein Daag, opposite Konkona Sen Sharma.[7] Kapoor reunited with Sen Sharma in Aaja Nachle, where he played Imran, a ring master who is forced to play Manju in a play.[8] Khalid Mohammed from Hindustan Times found him a bit "confused".[9]
Kapoor played a Punjabi, Joginder opposite Minissha Lamba in the 2008 film Bachna Ae Haseeno, his third with Yash Raj Films. It became the eighth-highest grossing Hindi film of the year.[10] In the same year, he played Bansi Ram, a laborer at a dockyard in Welcome to Sajjanpur, opposite Amrita Rao. The film was a critical and commercial success. Taran Adarsh termed his presence as a "surprise".[11]
After this, Kapoor took a break for two years. In 2010, he then played an aspiring Kashmiri politician in Rahul Dholakia's Lamhaa co-starring Sanjay Dutt. It was a box office failure, but critics hailed his performance as "one of the most powerful performances of the year".[12] In 2011, Kapoor played Sameer, a hacker in Shah Rukh Khan starrer Don 2. The film became the second-highest grossing film of the year.[13] Bollywood Hungama found Kapoor to be "decent" but thought that he doesn't really get the scenes to prove his credentials.[14]
Career fluctuations (2012-2020)[edit | edit source]
In 2012, Kapoor appeared in Sameer Sharma's Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana, which he co-wrote. Alongside Huma Qureshi, he played a Omi, who desire to go to London but is forced to move back home. Rachel Saltz of The New York Times called Kapoor the Indian Matthew McConaughey.[15] Live Mint's Sanjukta Sharma stated, "Kapoor is not the cynosure, but he pulls off the silliness and sensitivity of Omi’s character capably."[16] Post a two year hiatus, Kapoor appeared in Kaun Kitne Paani Mein, in 2015. He played Raj, an upper caste boy alongside Radhika Apte.[17] Renuka Vyavahare of Times of India found him to be "aptly cast", but his love story with Apte was termed to "digresses from the core subject".[18]
In 2016, Kapoor played Raghuvendra, a film producer opposite Alia Bhatt in Dear Zindagi. It emerged as a commercial success.[19] Sweta Kaushal of Hindustan Times noted, "Kunal Kapoor, gets an edge among the youngsters and essays his part with finesse."[20] That same year, Kapoor voiced for Rama in Mahayoddha Rama, an animation film by Raizada Rohit Jaising Vaid.[21] In her final work of the year, Kapoor appeared in the trilingual film, Veeram, directed by Jayaraj. He played a sixteenth century warrior Chandu Chekavar, in his Malayalam debut.[22] His performance won him an Asiavision Award. G. Ragesh of Onmanorama praised his "exceptional skills in kalari" and said that Kapoor "looks every bit" the masculine Chandu.[23]
Tigmanshu Dhulia's Raag Desh, based on the Indian National Army trials was Kapoor only release in 2017. He played Shah Nawaz Khan, and Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV stated that Kapoor delivered a "steady performance". He also appeared in a short film, White Shirt, in the same year.[24]
Kapoor played a hockey player, Samrat in his first release of 2018, Gold. The film is based on the journey of India's national hockey team to the 1948 Summer Olympics.[25] It was a critical and commercial success.[26] Devesh Sharma of Filmfare noted, "Kunal Kapoor as the strict coach lend gravitas."[27] Kapoor played David in his Telugu debut, Devadas, another major box office success that earned him SIIMA Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role – Telugu nomination.[28] His final release that year was the English film Noblemen, where he played Murali, a drama teacher.[29] Sreeparna Sengupta of Times of India found him to be "charming and effective".[30]
Recent work and web expansion (2021-present)[edit | edit source]
Kapoor returned to films in 2021. His first release was Koi Jaane Na, opposite Amyra Dastur, where he played Kabir, a writer and vigilante.[31] Aditya Mani Jha of Firstpost found his performance "underwhelming".[32] Kapoor then made his web debut, playing Mughal emperor Babur opposite Sahher Bambba, who played his wife, in The Empire.[33] Vibha Maru of India Today praised Kapoor and noted, "The actor breathes life into the character of Babur. Instead of making him a larger-than-life figure, Kunal shows Babur's vulnerability and everything else that makes him human."[34] While Pradeep Menon of Firstpost added, "Kunal cuts an impressive figure as Babur, but he is caricatures at the end of the day."[35] Netflix's anthology Ankahi Kahaniya, marked his final work of the year. The Quint's Stutee Ghosh noted, "The film is quite bizzare, though, Kunal Kapoor is effortlessly charming and one sure wants to see more of him."[36]
Personal life[edit | edit source]
A year after getting engaged, Kapoor married Naina Bachchan, niece of Amitabh Bachchan in a private family ceremony in Seychelles on 9 February 2015.[37] A celebration dinner was held on 11 April 2015 in New Delhi. Bachchan is a banker by profession.[38][39] The couple announced the birth of their baby boy on 31 January 2022.[40]
Other work and media image[edit | edit source]
Filmfare termed Kapoor an "interesting actor" and added, "Kapoor may not feature in many films, but there is something about him that makes the audience sit back and take notice of him."[41]
In 2009, Kapoor started writing weekly columns for HT City, the lifestyle supplement of the Hindustan Times. These columns ended in November 2009 but still appear online on the social network Desimartini.[42]
He is a trained pilot and rally car driver.[43][44] In 2014, he started training for the Formula Three. He co-founded Asia's largest crowdfunding platform called Ketto,[45] which raises money for social and individual causes. To date, the platform has raised close to 120 million dollars and is one of the largest crowdfunding platforms in the world. He is also known to be an avid investor in early stage tech companies with investments ranging from FMCG companies to robotics [citation needed]
He is also known for his style and has been voted amongst the most stylish men in the country. He was on GQ's list of the top ten stylish men in the country.
Filmography[edit | edit source]
Films[edit | edit source]
- All films are in Hindi unless otherwise noted.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Aks | N/A | Assistant director | |
| 2004 | Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities | Kameshwar Mathur | Credited as Kunnal Kapoor | |
| 2006 | Rang De Basanti | Aslam Khan / Ashfaqulla Khan[lower-alpha 1] | [46] | |
| 2007 | Hattrick | Sarabjeet "Saby" Singh | ||
| Laaga Chunari Mein Daag | Vivaan Verma | |||
| Aaja Nachle | Imran Pathan / Majnu[lower-alpha 1] | |||
| 2008 | Bachna Ae Haseeno | Joginder "Jogi" Singh Ahluwalia | ||
| Welcome to Sajjanpur | Bansi Ram | |||
| 2010 | Lamhaa | Aatif Hussain | [47] | |
| 2011 | Don 2 | Sameer "Sam" Ali | ||
| 2012 | Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana | Omi Khurana | [48] | |
| 2015 | Kaun Kitne Paani Mein | Raj Singhdeo | ||
| 2016 | Dear Zindagi | Raghuvendra | ||
| Mahayoddha Rama | Rama | Animated film; Voice only | ||
| Veeram | Chandu Chekavar | Simultaneously shot in Malayalam and English | [49] | |
| 2017 | Raag Desh | Shah Nawaz Khan | ||
| White Shirt | Aveek | Short film | ||
| 2018 | Gold | Samrat | ||
| Devadas | David | Telugu film | ||
| Noblemen | Murali | English film | [50] | |
| 2021 | Koi Jaane Na | Kabir Kapoor | [51] | |
| Ankahi Kahaniya | Manav | Saket Chaudhary's segment | ||
| 2025 | Jewel Thief | Vikram Patel | [52] | |
| 2026 | Ek Din 
|
Template:TableTBA | Filming | |
| 2026 | Vishwambhara
|
Template:TableTBA | Telugu film; filming | [53] |
Television[edit | edit source]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Bar Code | Himself | Special appearance | |
| 2021 | The Empire | Babur | [54] |
Awards and nominations[edit | edit source]
| Year | Award | Category | Film | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Zee Cine Awards | Best Newcomer | Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities | Nominated | |
| 2007 | Filmfare Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Rang De Basanti | Nominated | |
| International Indian Film Academy Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Nominated | |||
| 2017 | Asiavision Awards | Outstanding Performance of the Year | Veeram | Won | [57] |
| 2019 | South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Actor in a Negative Role – Telugu | Devadas | Nominated | [58] |
See also[edit | edit source]
Notes[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Paitandy, Priyadarshini (7 June 2008). "Cool Kunal". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 June 2008. Retrieved 6 October 2008.
- ↑ Kulkarni, Ronjita (1 April 2004). "Tabu is GLORIOUS!". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 31 July 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
- ↑ Sen, Raja (12 January 2006). "Rang De is not a war film". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 27 February 2008. Retrieved 16 March 2008.
- ↑ "'Rang De Basanti' loses at BAFTA awards". The Hindu. Press Trust of India. 13 February 2007. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012. Retrieved 6 October 2008.
- ↑ Kamath, Sudhish (3 February 2006). "Both dream and nightmare". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 25 February 2008. Retrieved 4 May 2008.
- ↑ "Top Worldwide Grossers 2006". boxofficeindia.com.
- ↑ "Old whine, older bottle". Hindustan Times. 11 February 2009. Archived from the original on 11 February 2009.
- ↑ "Box Office 2007". boxofficeindia.com. Archived from the original on 14 October 2013.
- ↑ "Movie Review:AAJA NACHLE". Dixit cannot Fix it. Archived from the original on 15 December 2007. Retrieved 30 November 2007.
- ↑ "Bachna Ae Haseeno". Box Office India.
- ↑ "Movie Review: Welcome to Sajjanpur". Bollywood Hungama. 19 September 2008. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ↑ Kazmi, Nikhat (15 July 2010). "Lamhaa: Movie Review". Times of India. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
- ↑ "Bollywood Box Office: Top Grossers in INDIA for 2011". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 29 November 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
- ↑ "Don 2 Review". Bollywood Hungama. 23 December 2011. Archived from the original on 7 January 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
- ↑ Saltz, Rachel (November 2012). "Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana Movie Review". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 14 August 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
- ↑ Sharma, Sanjukta (31 October 2012). "Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana Movie Review". Live Mint. Archived from the original on 14 August 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
- ↑ "Kaun Kitney Paani Mein - Box Office". Bollywood Hungama. 28 August 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
- ↑ "Kaun Kitney Paani Mein Movie Review". The Times of India. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
- ↑ "Box Office: Worldwide Collections and Day wise breakup of Dear Zindagi". Bollywood Hungama. 26 November 2016. Archived from the original on 29 November 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
- ↑ Sweta Kaushal (28 November 2016). "Dear Zindagi review: Shah Rukh Khan is charming but this life is unreal". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 28 November 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
- ↑ Reddy, Sujata (4 August 2008). "Ramayana returns". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 16 September 2008. Retrieved 6 October 2008.
- ↑ K. S., Aravind (13 December 2015). "Director Jayaraj creates history". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
- ↑ Ragesh, G. (27 February 2017). "Veeram Movie Review". Onmanorama. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
- ↑ "Raag Desh Movie Review: This Riveting Tale Is Part War Film, Part Courtroom Drama". NDTV. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
- ↑ "Yorkshire transformed into Bollywood film set for Gold". The Week. 24 August 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
- ↑ "Box Office: Worldwide Collections and Day wise breakup of Gold". Bollywood Hungama. 16 August 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
- ↑ Devesh Sharma. "Gold Movie Review". Filmfare. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
- ↑ "Tollywood box office report of 2018: highest grossing Telugu movies of year; List of hits and flops". International Business Times. 23 November 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
- ↑ "Kunal Kapoor will teach Shakespeare's plays in Vandana Kataria's The Noblemen". Hindustan Times. 18 March 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
- ↑ Sengupta, Sreeparna (28 June 2019). "NOBLEMEN MOVIE REVIEW". The Times of India. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
- ↑ "Koi Jaane Na trailer: Fact meets fiction in this Kunal Kapoor starrer murder mystery". The Indian Express. 20 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
- ↑ Aditya Mani Jha (3 April 2021). "Koi Jaane Na movie review: Kunal Kapoor's film is narratively weak with veneer-thin characters". Firstpost. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
- ↑ Vibha Maru (27 August 2021). "The Empire Review: Kunal Kapoor and Shabana Azmi rule this historical drama". India Today. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
- ↑ "The Empire review: Full marks for ambition, yet familiar clichés abound". Firstpost. 27 August 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
- ↑ "Ankahi Kahaniya Review: Abhishek Chaubey's Tender Short is a Clear Winner". The Quint. 17 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ↑ "Kunal Kapoor weds Amitabh Bachchan's niece Naina". The Hindu. 11 February 2015. Archived from the original on 21 December 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
- ↑ "Kunal Kapoor and Naina Bachchan fairy tale love story". The Hindu. 5 April 2016. Archived from the original on 14 September 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
- ↑ "Naina Bachchan and Kunal Kapoor's wedding reception". Vogue India. 21 April 2016. Archived from the original on 22 September 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
- ↑ "Kunal Kapoor, Naina Bachchan welcome baby boy. Celebs say congrats". India Today. 31 January 2022. Archived from the original on 19 April 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
- ↑ "Kunal Kapoor reveals he is an accidental actor". Filmfare. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
- ↑ "Kunal Kapoor columns". Desimartini. Archived from the original on 30 July 2009. Retrieved 24 October 2008.
- ↑ "Kunal Kapoor Birthday Special: Here's Taking A Look At How 2021 Has Been A Fantastic Year For The Actor". Outlook India. 18 October 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
- ↑ Bhandari, Kabir Singh (21 September 2022). "Sneak Peek: Kunal Kapoor On What Makes Him Stronger". Entrepreneur. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
- ↑ "Speaker Profile of Kunal Kapoor at Etailing India". ETailing India. Archived from the original on 10 February 2017.
- ↑ Rajamani, Radhika (13 April 2004). "The long act". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 2 June 2004. Retrieved 18 March 2008.
- ↑ Subhash K Jha. "Safe sets?". Mumbai Mirror. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2008.
- ↑ Roshmila Bhattacharya (17 January 2012). "Kunal Kapoor chickens out of workouts". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 18 January 2012.
- ↑ Lohana, Avinash (5 January 2016). "Kunal Kapoor is a warrior in trilingual Macbeth". Mumbai Mirror. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
- ↑ "Kunal Kapoor to star in bullying drama 'Nobleman'". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 24 April 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ↑ "Koi Jaane Na: Director Amin Hajee kicks off the psychological thriller starring Kunal Kapoor and Amyra Dastur". The Times of India. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- ↑ "Siddharth Anand and Saif Ali Khan ream up after 17 years; duo gets snapped outside Marflix Pictures office joins". Bollywood Hungama. 6 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ↑ "Vishwambhara new schedule begins today – idlebrain.com". Idlebrain. 1 April 2024. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
- ↑ "The Empire trailer: Hotstar brings Bhansali-level scale to small screen 'in India's biggest show', watch". Hindustan Times. 7 August 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
- ↑ Gupta, Pratim D. (9 May 2006). "Pop poll of the star-struck". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 19 May 2006. Retrieved 6 October 2008.
- ↑ Shah, Diti; Navgire, Moses (26 February 2007). "Mumbai hosts Max Stardust awards". Tonight. Retrieved 6 October 2008.[permanent dead link]
- ↑ "Asiavision Movie Awards 2017: Deepika Padukone, Dulquer Salmaan, Manju Warrier, Tovino Thomas grace event [PHOTOS]". International Business Times. 28 November 2017. Archived from the original on 22 June 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
- ↑ "SIIMA Awards 2019: Here's a complete list of nominees". Times of India. 19 July 2019. Archived from the original on 1 August 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
External links[edit | edit source]
- Kunal Kapoor on IMDb