An Indian actor, Kunal Kapoor is known for starring in Hindi films like Rang De Basanti, Laaga Chunri Mai Daag, and Don 2. Kunal along with Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow has been the face of the well-known charitable organization `Save the Children`. He has also written columns for HT City, a supplement of the leading Indian newspaper daily, Hindustan Times.
Early Life
Born in the city of dreams, Mumbai, Kunal Kapoor`s family hails from Amritsar, Punjab. Kunal, who dreamt of becoming an actor ever since he was a child got his training under the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award winner, Barry John. He then became a part of Naseeruddin Shah`s theater group Motley and did several plays under his mentorship. His first step in the world of glamor was with the supernatural thriller Aks, where he assisted the director of the film, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra. Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Nandita Das, Manoj Bajpayee, and Raveena Tandon, the film won critical acclaim but failed to generate a favorable response at the box office.
Personal Life
After dating each other for nearly two years, Kunal Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan`s niece Naina Bachchan tied the knot in February 2015, in a private ceremony on the Seychelles islands. Welcoming Kunal into the Bachchan family, the legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan said, "We are united today with another that now is our own... what a wonderful way of bringing in reverence to this sacred bond of togetherness and union".
Movie Career
In 2006, Kunal made his feature film debut opposite the critically acclaimed actress Tabu in M.F. Hussain`s semi-autobiographical film Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities. The movie bombed at the box office but the soundtrack composed by the Mozart of Madras, A. R. Rahman was well received. After this unconventional film, Kunal appeared in the runaway hit Rang De Basanti, which over the years has received a cult status in both Indian and international cinema. Starring an ensemble cast comprising Aamir Khan, Siddharth Narayan, Soha Ali Khan, Kunal Kapoor, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Atul Kulkarni and British actress Alice Patten, the movie opened to an overwhelmingly positive critical and commercial response. For his portrayal of Aslam Khan, Kunal received his first Filmfare nomination in the category of Best Supporting Actor.
Post Rang De Basanti, the actor signed a three-film deal with Yash Raj films, and went on to feature in films like Laaga Chunari Mai Daag, Aaja Nachle, and Bachna Ae Haseeno, under the banner. Except Bachna Ae Haseeno, which starred Ranbir Kapoor, and Deepika Padukone in the lead role, the other two films bombed at the box office. In 2011, he appeared in Farhan Akhtar`s blockbuster Don 2 and in 2012, he starred in the critically well-received film Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana.
His 2016 release includes the Indian drama film, Dear Zindagi. Directed by Gauri Shinde, the movie stars Alia Bhatt, Shah Rukh Khan, Aditya Roy Kapur, Kunal Kapoor, and Angad Bedi in pivotal roles. His 2018 releases include the historical drama,Veeram and the biographical sports drama, Gold and Deva Daasu. His 2019 releases include Noblemen and Panipat.