Anil Kapoor reveals how his father Surinder inspired him to become a hero: 'None of his films were successful...'

For more than forty years, Anil Kapoor has stood tall as one of the most consistent and admired performers in Hindi cinema. His longevity in an industry known for fleeting fame is remarkable. Yet, the path that led him there was anything but smooth. Although he was born to film producer Surinder Kapoor, his formative years were not cushioned by privilege. Instead, they were shaped by hardship, persistence, and an unwavering determination to succeed. Early in his career, he accepted small, humble assignments to support himself, experiences that grounded him and strengthened his resolve. Much of this resilience stemmed from watching his father navigate the unpredictable film world.

During the 12th edition of Expresso by SCREEN, in a discussion with Saurabh Dwivedi, Editor of The Indian Express Hindi, Anil revisited his father’s early struggles and the lessons they left behind.

Surinder Kapoor’s Humble Beginnings

Anil recounted that his father began his cinematic journey assisting legendary filmmaker K. Asif on the iconic film Mughal-e-Azam. His integrity, modesty, and sincerity earned him admiration. Recognizing these qualities, K. Asif entrusted him with production responsibilities. When extensive war sequences were filmed in Rajasthan for several months, Surinder Kapoor handled financial planning and coordinated logistical aspects of the shoot.


His honesty gradually opened further opportunities. He later managed the professional commitments of actor Shammi Kapoor. Encouragement from Shammi Kapoor’s wife, Geeta Bali, motivated him to step into film production himself.

A Son Inspired by Struggle

However, producing films proved to be an uphill battle. Securing prominent stars and organizing schedules was an exhausting process. Anil observed firsthand the stress and setbacks his father endured. Film production demanded relentless effort yet often yielded little recognition. Many projects failed to achieve commercial success, deepening the challenges.

Witnessing these hardships profoundly influenced Anil’s ambitions. He decided he would pursue acting so his family would no longer need to depend on external stars to realize their creative dreams. His aspiration was fueled not by glamour but by emotion. He wanted to ease his father’s burden and demonstrate his own capability as a leading man. That deeply personal motivation became the driving force behind his quest for achievement, shaping a career defined by dedication, resilience, and heartfelt purpose.