From being an engineering student to an alumnus of National School of Drama to being one of the most versatile and experimental actors, Pankaj Kapur has carved a niche for himself in Bollywood with a career spanning over four decades
An acclaimed film, television and theatre actor, Pankaj Kapur, needs no introduction. He has established himself as one of the most diverse performers in the country. Unlike his contemporaries, Kapur has always chosen to do different and flamboyant roles and has tasted success in whichever genre he performed. Born in Ludhiana, Punjab, Pankaj Kapur completed his engineering but interest and destiny brought him to the world of drama. He joined the National School of Drama (NSD) in the late 1970s and became active in theatre; his moment of recognition came in 1982 with Gandhi, a movie directed by Richard Attenborough, in which Kapur played the role of Gandhi’s second secretary, Pyarelal Nayyar. But he made his screen debut with Arohan, directed by Shyam Benegal in 1982.
After that, Kapur turned towards art films that came under the umbrella of the parallel cinema category in Bollywood and worked with leading art films directors, starting with Shyam Benegal in Mandi (1983), and Kundan Shah’s comedy Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro 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.
Meanwhile his tryst with art cinema continued, he also did many commercially successful films as well. Unlike his many contemporaries, Kapur hasn’t broken the vow to work only in good art and independent projects in his entire career. He has also portrayed some of the most difficult characters with equal élan and conviction. He didn't hesitate to portray either a terrorist in Mani Ratnam’s Roja, a miser father in Chameli Ke Shaadi or a struggling scientist in Ek Doctor ki Maut (probably his most flamboyant role of all). The actor will also be remembered for playing King Duncan (William Shakespeare's Macbeth) inspired character in the critically acclaimed Maqbool.
The recipient of the prestigious National Film Awards thrice, Kapur became a household name with his TV series Karamchand in the 1980s, where he played a detective. In the 2000s, he worked in a comic satire, Office Office, which talked about the prevalent corruption in India. Kapur played the role of a common man, Musaddi Lal Tripathi, who is left at the mercy of some corrupt officials. The television series made Pankaj Kapur a favourite amongst the younger generation as well. He can aptly be called the “Walking Acting School in India”. His power-packed performances, character portrayal, intense presence, comic timing and his chemistry with the camera can leave you speechless.
Over the years, as a director, he has done Mohandas B A L L B, Wah Bhai Wah, Sahabji Biwiji Ghulamji and Drishtanth, Kanak Di Balli, Albert's Bridge and Panchvan Savaar. Kapur shifted from theatre almost two decades ago but made a comeback on the stage in 2016 with a novella, Dopehri, which is written by him. Kapur chose his native karmabhumi for his comeback and performed a dramatised reading in the 16th Bharat Rang Mahotsav, a yearly theatre extravaganza organised by NSD. When asked why he chose a novella reading, Kapur said he wanted to test the waters before coming back whole-heartedly; plus he likes to experiment and desires to bring in a novelty factor in the world of Indian theatre. “In the last 40 years, I have never followed any league and like to create my own niche and style. I wanted to read the novella because it is written by me and I wanted to deliver it to my audience as a writer,” says Kapur.
He also shares that when he tried to contact the theatres in Mumbai, his idea of a dramatised reading was not taken well as they believed that this kind of performance will not interest the audiences.
Dopehri is a story of an old woman living alone in her haveli in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh and how she discovers herself with the help of people around her and emerges as Mumtaz Siddiqui. Amma Bi’s son and daughter-in-law live abroad and come to meet every few years but the loneliness has started daunting her. It was getting difficult for her to spend time, though she has a help called Jumman, who is an important character in the novella.
Kapur’s reading was convincing enough to allow the audiences visualise the entire scene in front of their eyes. With the exact Lakhnawi dialect and subtle body movements, it was an impeccable show put together with the help of coordinating lights and music. The act was co-produced by Supriya Pathak Kapur, who played a vital role backstage.
When asked about spending time with family, Kapur shares he likes to go on holidays with family and makes sure that the entire family goes together at least once in two years. His idea of a perfect holiday is pure relaxation. “My agenda of a holiday is to not have any agenda at all and spend your time the way you want,” says the Karamchand actor. He also shares that he never reads while on his journey but likes to look around and enjoy the scenic beauty and nature outside.