Once Bollywood’s go-to hero, Anil Kapoor redefined himself from the 2000s onwards to effortlessly make the shift to supporting roles as well. This versatility with age is evident in some of the best Anil Kapoor movies which we have compiled in this comprehensive list summing up his career.
Where to stream Anil Kapoor’s filmography?
You can watch many of Anil Kapoor’s old and new movies on several OTT platforms like Amazon Prime Video, ZEE5 and Jio Cinema. AK vs AK and Thar were released as Netflix originals while his thriller TV series The Night Manager can be streamed on Hotstar.
Once you’ve sorted out your Anil Kapoor watchlist, have a look at his career from an Indian superhero classic like Mr. India to Danny Boyle’s Oscar-winner Slumdog Millionaire.
Beginnings in 1980s and enduring stardom
Kapoor embarked on his acting odyssey in the late 1970s. Despite lacking any familial connections to the film industry, he possessed an innate flair for performance. Kapoor's debut in Hamare Tumhare (1979) marked the commencement of a career that would redefine Indian cinema.
Throughout the 1980s, Kapoor emerged as a promising talent, renowned for his boyish charm and captivating presence. Films like Woh Saat Din (1983) and Mashaal (1984) showcased his versatility, while Shekhar Kapur’s evergreen sci-fi classic Mr India (1987) immortalized him as the endearing the titular invisibility-powered superhero who faces off against Amrish Puri’s quintessential villain Mogambo.
The 1990s saw Kapoor's ascent to superstardom, with a series of iconic performances that solidified his status as one of Bollywood's leading actors. His portrayal of the ambitious Munna in Parinda (1989) garnered critical acclaim, while Beta (1992) and Tezaab (1988) highlighted his impeccable comedic timing, action star persona, and dancing prowess.
Increased diversity in the 2000s and 2010s
As Kapoor transitioned into the new millennium, he continued to evolve, embracing diverse roles that showcased his acting prowess. From casanova gangster-cum-amateur painter Majnu Bhai in the screwball comedy Welcome to the gritty journalist-turned-chief minister in Nayak: The Real Hero, Kapoor effortlessly traversed through various genres, leaving an enduring impact with each portrayal.
Apart from his involvement in mainstream hits like Race 3 and Animal, Kapoor also tries his hand at experimental efforts like the meta-satire AK vs AK in which he played a fictionalised version of himself fighting a fictionalised version of director Anurag Kashyap. The cop thriller Thar similarly found him playing a more seasoned and realistic policeman as compared to the authority roles he took on earlier.
As Kapoor began aging and witnessing his own children like Sonam Kapoor and Harshavardhan Kapoor take on lead roles, Kapoor also grew content with expressing different shades of fatherhood through his performances. These range from the selfless father of a lesbian woman in Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga to a selfish businessman father in Dil Dhadakne Do to the authoritarian patriarch in the hyper-violent action thriller Animal.
Stepping into Hollywood
Kapoor's venture into international cinema further underscored his global appeal, with standout performances in films like Slumdog Millionaire (2008) and the television series 24 (2010). Apart from playing a charismatic gameshow host in the former and the president of a fictional nation in the latter, Kapoor also had a brief role as an eccentric millionaire in the Tom Cruise-starrer Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol.
Why is Mr. India Anil Kapoor’s best movie?
Capturing the best of Anil Kapoor’s youthful energy in the ‘80s, his natural chemistry with the late Sridevi, and a fresh Indianised take on the sci-fi and fantasy genre, Mr. India remains a timeless cult favourite to watch to this day. While Kapoor offered way more serious performances in later years, it’s Mr India that he seemed to have the most fun with.
