Actor Annu Kapoor is one of the best character actors to have emerged from India. But unfortunately, for some reason, he is not considered as one among the best. One of his special abilities is his effortlessness when it comes to adding comical undertones.
As he turns 61 today (20 February), let’s revisit his performances that either made us laugh or smile.
Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin (2002)
Who would have expected Kapoor to play a bhai aka the main aide of a gangster? The actor, who played Munna Mobile, was not only convincing as a gang member, but also provided pots of laughter with his comic timing. He also displayed his dancing skills in the song ‘Ae Munna Mobile.’ His chemistry with Satish Kaushik, who played the fellow aide, was laudable.
Annu Kapoor getting ready to direct his second film
7 Khoon Maaf (2011)
Now, this was a truly complex character. Kapoor’s character is investigating a murder and he happens to fall for the victim’s wife, played by Priyanka Chopra. He marries her and soon gets killed by her. In all this, he investigates the case while lusting for her. And he does this while displaying his comic touch.
Vicky Donor (2012)
This character needed someone highly talented. Kapoor played a doctor in a fertility clinic who convinces Ayushmann Khurrana’s character to become a sperm donor. There haven’t been such bold subjects in Hindi films before. But it didn’t make the audience feel awkward, thanks to Kapoor. The scene where he declares to the protagonist, “Aryaputra hai tu,” takes the cake.
The Shaukeens (2014)
Kapoor played an old man lusting after a girl in her 20s. In other words, he had to walk on a tight rope as he had to play a pervert and at the same time make sure he doesn’t appear cheap. He overcomes this challenge through his special talent. Along with him, Anupam Kher and Piyush Mishra, who also play similar characters, too succeed in the difficult task.
Although Kapoor played an evil lawyer, Pramod Mathur in this Akshay Kumar-starrer, there were a lot of comic undertones in his character, especially in the way he spoke. To play the villain and at the same time make people laugh is not easy. Even when he sits on a dharna to support an evil-doer, you can’t help but smile.