I went from errand boy to leading man in Bengaluru: Anil Kapoor
Mar 13, 2025, 09:36 IST
This film’s Hindi adaptation, Hum Paanch, became a big success. It launched many actors – it became a turning point for Mithun Chakraborty and Amrish Puri saab. There was Naseeruddin (Shah), Shabana (Azmi), Deepti (Naval), and Gulshan Grover. Hum Paanch, directed by the late Mr Bapu, was shot in Melukote. It was then, on Karnataka soil, that Bapu saab noticed me. I was an intern doing odd jobs. He saw something in me and realised that I could act. I told him that I was trying to be an actor but wasn’t getting work in Mumbai and so I did production. He offered me the Telugu film Vamsa Vruksham, my first film as a leading man. When Vamsa Vruksham released, Mani Ratnam, in Madras (Chennai), saw it and thought I was a local boy. He then learned I was from Mumbai and offered me the Kannada film Pallavi Anu Pallavi. That’s how my journey started. My foundation from errand boy, intern, production guy, location manager, pickup guy, to leading man began here, in Bengaluru.” Excerpts from a chat with the actor:
Anil Kapoor, the renowned Bollywood actor, recently reflected on his early career experiences in Bengaluru. In 1977 or '78, he first visited the city as a production assistant, responsible for tasks like transporting actors between locations such as Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Melukote. During this period, he worked on the Hindi adaptation of the Kannada film "Paduvaraahalli Pandavaru," titled "Hum Paanch," directed by Bapu. While serving as an intern handling various duties, Kapoor caught the attention of director Bapu, who recognized his potential and offered him the lead role in the Telugu film "Vamsa Vruksham." This opportunity marked the beginning of Kapoor's journey from behind-the-scenes roles to becoming a leading actor.
Kapoor also shared a personal anecdote from his time in Bengaluru, recalling how he purchased a sari for his then-girlfriend, Sunita, from MG Road. This gesture was his first gift to her, and she later became his wife and the mother of his children. Reflecting on this memory before his recent trip to the city, Kapoor and his wife reminisced about their shared history spanning nearly 45 years.
These experiences highlight Bengaluru's significant role in Kapoor's personal and professional life, marking the city's importance in his journey from an errand boy to a leading man in Indian cinema.