Birthday special: 15 interesting facts about Shekhar Kapur

Birthday special: 15 interesting facts about Shekhar Kapur
Saturday, December 06, 2014 14:15 IST
By Santa Banta News Network
Shekhar Kapur is among the few directors to have proved his film-making mettle in Bollywood as well as Hollywood. From 'Masoom' and 'Mr India' to 'Bandit Queen' and 'Elizabeth', his every film has had a different genre and a unique narrative. And now, he is out to test new waters with 'Paani'.

As the passionate filmmaker turns 69 today, we bring you 15 interesting facts about his life and career that you may not have known.

1) Born in Lahore, Punjab, British India in 1945, Shekhar was discouraged from getting into films by his father, Kulbhushan Kapur, who was a doctor.

2) He studied accountancy at the behest of his parents and at the age of 22, became a chartered accountant with ICAEW in England.

3) At the age of 24, he left his job as an accountant and a management consultant to pursue his artistic interests.

4) He never considered directing films earlier, but it was his failure to establish himself as an actor that made him take to direction.

5) His historical biopics on Queen Elizabeth 'Elizabeth' and 'Elizabeth: The Golden Age' won the BAFTA Award for Best Film, and two Academy Award nominations. He has been the recipient of the Padma Shri, the National Film award and three Filmfare awards, among others.

6) Shekhar Kapur has quite a few filmi connections within his family:

>>He is Dev Anand's nephew. Shekhar is the son of Dev Anand's sister Sheel Kanta.

>>He is the former brother-in-law of late Navin Nischol. Shekhar's sister Neelu Kapoor was Nischol's first wife.

>>He is the brother-in-law of Parikshit Sahni. His cousin Aruna is married to Parikshit.

7) Shekhar Kapur had offered the role of 'Mr India' to Rajesh Khanna first, who turned it down because he couldn't relate to the invisible hero.

8) Shekhar Kapur made the critically-acclaimed 'Bandit Queen' in 60 days and played a cameo in the film as a truck driver.


9) He shot Tina's funeral scene in 'Mr India' while she was sleeping as she could not control her laughter in the scene.

10) He is an ardent fan of AR Rahman and calls him 'The Mozart of Madras'.

11) He had a seven-year long relationship with Shabana Azmi.

12) He divorced Medha to marry Suchitra Krishnamoorthi, whom he divorced after 8 years of marriage. Medha, who passed away on November 24, was married to devotional singer Anup Jalota.

13) Shekhar Kapur has been involved in at least 5 projects that were abandoned, including a film tentatively titled 'The Nine o'Clock War' with his long-time friend, the Australian actor Heath Ledger. After the actor's untimely death at the age of 28, the film got shelved.

14) Shekhar Kapur, reportedly, was the last person to talk to Heath Ledger while he was alive.

15) Shekhar Kapur has been working on his most ambitious project, 'Paani', for around 13 years.
Varun Dhawan Unveils First Poster of 'Nain Matakka' Featuring Keerthy Suresh!

Varun Dhawan's upcoming film Baby John is already creating waves in the entertainment world. The latest buzz surrounds the highly anticipated track "Nain Matakka," and the excitement reached new heights when Varun shared the

Friday, November 22, 2024
'Agni' Trailer Unveiled: A Tribute to Firefighters' Bravery and Sacrifice!

The much-anticipated trailer for Agni, directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Rahul Dholakia, was released on Thursday, offering a gripping look into the world of firefighters, their bravery, and the sacrifices they make to protect

Friday, November 22, 2024
Sara Ali Khan Shares Fun BTS Moments from Ad Shoot, Invites Fans to Let Their Spirits Soar!

Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan recently took to Instagram to share a delightful behind-the-scenes (BTS) glimpse from her latest advertisement shoot, revealing her cheerful mood and creative spirit. In a playful and heartwarming post, Sara shared a video

Friday, November 22, 2024
Kartik Aaryan Enjoys Quality Time with 'Sea, Sand, and Sun' at IFFI Goa!

Bollywood heartthrob Kartik Aaryan, who is currently in Goa for the prestigious International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and Filmazaar, took a moment to unwind and connect with nature. The actor shared a series of serene pictures on his Instagram, showcasing

Friday, November 22, 2024
Shehnaaz Gill Starts Shooting for Punjabi Film: A New Journey Begins!

Actress and social media sensation Shehnaaz Gill is all set to embark on a new chapter in her career, as she commences shooting for her upcoming Punjabi film. The actress shared her excitement with her fans on Instagram, marking this milestone

Friday, November 22, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT