Pankaj Kapur Biography: Age, Wife, Movies, Net Worth, Height, Son, Awards, TV Shows

Pankaj Kapur is an Indian actor, director, and playwright, renowned for his versatile performances in Hindi theatre, television, and cinema.

With iconic roles in films like Maqbool and TV series like Karamchand and Office Office, he is a celebrated figure in Indian entertainment, earning three National Film Awards and a Filmfare Award.

Profile

• Full Name: Pankaj Kapur
• Stage Name: Pankaj Kapur
• Born: May 29, 1954
• Age: 70 years old
• Birthplace: Ludhiana, Punjab, India
• Nationality: Indian
• Occupation: Indian Actor, Director, Playwright, and Screenwriter
• Height: 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
• Parents: Mr and Mrs Kapur
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Neelima Azeem (married 1979–1984), Supriya Pathak (married 1988–present)
• Children: Shahid Kapur (son, from first marriage), Sanah Kapur (daughter), Ruhaan Kapur (son)
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $1 million to $13 million

Early Life and Education

Pankaj Kapur was born on May 29, 1954, into a Punjabi Hindu Khatri family in Ludhiana, Punjab, India. His parent Mr and Mrs Kapur Growing up in a modest household, he developed a passion for acting early, mimicking teachers and relatives during childhood.

He completed his schooling in Punjab and pursued a pre-engineering course at Government College, Ludhiana, topping his college in 1973. Despite attempting the NDA entrance exams twice without success, his father supported his acting ambitions.

Pankaj enrolled at the National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi, graduating in 1976 with a gold medal and the Best Actor Award. His time at NSD honed his theatrical skills, setting the foundation for his illustrious career.

Career

Pankaj Kapur’s career spans over four decades, encompassing theatre, television, and cinema. After graduating from NSD, he worked with the NSD Repertory Company for four years, performing in plays like Sahabji Biwiji Ghulamji and Tughlaq.

His film debut came with Shyam Benegal’s Arohan (1982), followed by a role as Mahatma Gandhi’s secretary, Pyarelal Nayyar, in Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi (1982), where he also dubbed for Ben Kingsley in the Hindi version.

In the 1980s, he starred in parallel cinema classics like Mandi (1983), Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983), Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho! (1984), Khandhar (1984), and Khamosh (1985), many of which won National Film Awards. His breakthrough TV role was as detective Karamchand Jasoos in Karamchand (1986), making him a household name.

Other TV serials include Zabaan Sambhaal Ke, Neem ka Ped, and Philips Top 10. In 2000, he returned to TV with Office Office, a satirical comedy on corruption, followed by its sequel Naya Office Office (2006).

His film career flourished with acclaimed roles like Inspector P.K. in Raakh (1989), Dr. Dipankar Roy in Ek Doctor Ki Maut (1991), and Abba Ji in Vishal Bhardwaj’s Maqbool (2004), a Macbeth adaptation. He collaborated with Bhardwaj on The Blue Umbrella (2005) and Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola (2013).

Pankaj directed Mausam (2011), starring his son Shahid Kapur, and wrote the novel Dopehri (published 2019, written 1992), which he adapted into a play. Recent work includes the web series JL50 (2020), IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack (2024), and the film Bheed (2023).

He founded the production house Grass Company with Supriya Pathak and Theatreon for theatre and film projects.

Awards and Nominations

• 1989: National Film Award, Best Supporting Actor (Raakh) – Won
• 1990: Filmfare Award, Best Supporting Actor (Raakh) – Nominated
• 1991: National Film Award, Special Jury Award (Ek Doctor Ki Maut) – Won
• 2004: National Film Award, Best Supporting Actor (Maqbool) – Won
• 2005: Filmfare Critics Award, Best Actor (Maqbool) – Won
• 2006: Filmfare Award, Best Villain (Dus) – Nominated
• 2008: Best Actor, National Award by the Journalist Association of India – Won
• 2021: Asian Television Awards, Best Actor (JL50) – Nominated
• 2022: Honorary Doctorate, recognized by Shahid and Mira Kapur on Instagram

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @pankajkapur.official

Personal Life

Pankaj Kapur resides in Mumbai with his wife, actress Supriya Pathak, whom he married in 1988 after meeting during the shelved film Agla Mausam (1986). They have two children: daughter Sanah Kapur (actress, married Mayank Pahwa in 2022) and son Ruhaan Kapur (married Manukriti Pahwa in 2023).

From his first marriage to actress Neelima Azeem (1979–1984), he has a son, actor Shahid Kapur. His sister-in-law, Ratna Pathak Shah, is married to actor Naseeruddin Shah.

Pankaj and Supriya follow the Radha Soami spiritual organization. He enjoys cooking, often competing with his daughter-in-law Mira Rajput, as shared by Shahid. No major controversies are documented.

His Gemini zodiac sign and Chinese zodiac Horse align with his versatile, dynamic persona. He practices Hinduism.

Filmography

• Arohan (1982) – Supporting Role
• Gandhi (1982) – Pyarelal Nayyar
• Mandi (1983) – Shantidevi’s Assistant
• Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983) – Tarneja
• Khandhar (1984) – Dipu
• Khamosh (1985) – Kukreja
• Raakh (1989) – Inspector P.K.
• Ek Doctor Ki Maut (1991) – Dr. Dipankar Roy
• Roja (1992) – Liaqat
• Maqbool (2004) – Abba Ji
• The Blue Umbrella (2005) – Nandkishore
• Dus (2005) – Himmat Mehndi
• Halla Bol (2007) – Siddhu
• Mausam (2011) – Director, Screenwriter
• Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola (2013) – Harry Mandola
• Happi (2019) – Happi
• Bheed (2023) – Balram Trivedi
• Series: • Karamchand (1986) – Karamchand Jasoos • Office Office (2000) – Mussaddi Lal • Naya Office (2006) – Mussaddi Lal • JL50 (2020) – Subroto Das • IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack (2024) – Vijay Kumar

Net Worth

Pankaj Kapur’s estimated net worth ranges from $1 million to $13 million. His wealth stems from acting (films, TV, theatre), directing (Mausam), writing (Dopehri, screenplays), and production via Grass Company. Earnings from Karamchand (Rs. 25,000 per episode in 1985) and endorsements contribute. The $2–5 million range is most credible, given his career scope and industry norms.