Pankaj Kapur

Career

After graduating from the National School of Drama, he did theatre for the next four years until he was offered a role in Gandhi by Richard Attenborough. Over the years, as a director, he has done over 74 plays and serials, including Mohandas B.A.L.L.B., Wah Bhai Wah, Sahabji Biwiji Ghulamji and Drishtanth, Kanak Di Balli, Albert's Bridge and Panchvan Savaar.

He made his film debut with Shyam Benegal's film Arohan (1982). Following that he played Mahatma Gandhi's second secretary, Pyarelal Nayyar, in the Richard Attenborough film Gandhi in 1982. Later he dubbed for Ben Kingsley in the Hindi version of the film.

Thereafter he appeared in a string of art films that came under the parallel cinema category, with leading art films directors, starting with Shyam Benegal's Mandi (1983), Kundan Shah's comedy Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro again 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. He appeared in a number of art films, many of which went on to win National Film Awards.

In 1986, he switched to television, with the role of Karamchand jasoos(detective) in the detective-comedy, Karamchand, also starring Sushmita Mukherjee. Over the years he has been seen in numerous TV serials, including, Kab Tak Pukaroon (Doordarshan) Zabaan Sambhaal Ke (a remake of the English TV series, Mind Your Language), Lifeline with Vijaya Mehta, Neem ka Ped and finally comic interludes in Philips Top 10.

Meanwhile, his tryst with art cinema continued, as he starred in films like Chameli Ki Shaadi (1986), Ek Ruka Hua Faisla (1986), and Yeh Woh Manzil To Nahin (1987). In 1987, his comic side was visible again in the commercial action film Jalwa, also starring Naseeruddin Shah.

His first National Film Award came with the 1989 film, Raakh, which also starred Aamir Khan.

He starred in the classic Punjabi film Marhi Da Diva (1989). He featured in the 1992 Mani Ratnam film Roja directed. (Roja was made in Tamil and later dubbed in Hindi, Marathi, Telugu and Malayalam.)

His strongest performance in the early part of his career came from his lead role of struggling scientist in the film Ek Doctor Ki Maut (1991), for which he was awarded the 1991 National Film Award – Special Jury Award.

In 2000 he returned to television with the serial Office Office a satirical take on the prevalent corruption in India.

In 2003 he appeared in Maqbool, Vishal Bhardwaj's adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth. His antagonistic performance as the short-statured, potbellied, shuffle-footed Abbaji in Maqbool got him the 2004 National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor. Meanwhile, he released films like The Blue Umbrella (2005), Dus (2005) and Halla Bol (2008). In 2006, he started to be seen again on TV. In the TV series, Naya Office Office, a sequel to his previous series Office Office.

On 11 January 2013, the Vishal Bharadwaj-directed film Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola, starring Kapur was released.

In November 2019, Kapur made his literature debut with his novella ' Dopehri''', which he had written in 1992.

Filmography

Director Mausam (2011) Starring Shahid Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Jaspal Bhatti Mohandas B.A.L.L.B. (1998)

Writer Sau Jhooth Ek Sach (2005)

Television Karamchand (Season 1) (1985–1988) Mungerilal Ke Haseen Sapne (1989-1990) Zabaan Sambhalke (Season 1) (1993-1994) as Mohan Bharti Neem Ka Ped (1991) as Budhai Ram Phatichar (1991) Lifeline with Vijaya Mehta Zabaan Sambhalke (Season 2) (1997-1998) as Mohan Bharti Mohandas B.A.L.L.B. (1997-1998) Office Office (2000) as Musaddi Lal Bharat Ek Khoj Tehreer Munshi Premchand Ki – Godaan & Kafan on Doordarshan (2004) Kab Tak Pukaroon Naya Office Office (2006–2009) Karamchand (Season 2) (2007) JL50 (2020) IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack (2024) Thode Dur Thode Paas'' (2025)

Dubbing roles

Live action films Film title Actor(s) Character(s) Dub language Original language Original Year release Dub Year release Notes Gandhi Ben Kingsley Mahatma Gandhi Hindi English 1982 1982 Pankaj also played Mahatma Gandhiji's Assistant Pyarelal Nayyar in movie.

Awards and nominations