Actor, host and singer all rolled into one, Annu Kapoor is an entertainer par excellence. Now hosting the popular radio show “Suhana Safar” on Big FM, he is well known for his ability to break into song in an impromptu manner, such that viewers think he has been rehearsing it for ages. It was this ability which stood him in good stead in “Antakshari”, Zee TV’s hugely popular show.
After debuting in Shyam Benegal’s film “Mandi”, Annu has done films across genres.
In the comedy film “Vicky Donor” he demonstrated his ability to make the audience laugh. In the serious role of a lawyer, he did a convincing job in “Aitraaz”.
Now, with age catching up, he has decided to give his expertise to the show as mentor of “Family Antakshari Baithe Baithe Kya Kare” on SAB TV.
Ever since the first Hindi film “Raja Harishchandra” was premiered in 1913, Hindi films have played a pivotal role in popularising “Antakshari” as a game in nearly every household…
According to the earliest reference, Antakshari dates back to 4,000 years when in gurukuls teachers introduced entertainment to make education interesting. This was the period when students recited Sanskrit shlokas, Upanishad and Puranas. After the coming of the Mughals, Persian and Urdu dialect was introduced what is now called Hindustani.
Tell us about your struggle as an artist?
I was blessed with photographic memory and was a science student. Becoming a surgeon was my goal but had to discontinue my studies because of financial crunch at home. I joined my dad Madan Lal Kapoor’s nautanki company. In 1976, I landed up at the New Delhi Railway Station and joined the NSD. As a theatre artist I earned Rs.250 which after paying for my bills left me with only Rs.55. Dilli left me hungry and there were days when I did not get a morsel to eat.
Does your fondness for Hindi cinema stem from your early days in theatre? How did you Was it your growing up days in theatre which made you develop a fondness for Hindi cinema?
I have no passion for acting or cinema. I am passionate about my country. Ironically, Indians are not a patriotic race. We have spiritual liberty but no social liberty. After thousands of years of glory, our nation saw decadence because we were not united, disciplined and lacked honesty. We have good politicians but we also have the biggest thieves and are hypocrites.
Will your decision not to host the show will disappoint viewers?
To illustrate my point I will give you an example of Mahabharat. When Krishna was the charioteer could anyone attribute the success of Pandavas in the battle against Kauravas to Yudhishthira or Arjun? Similarly there are two hosts but eventually I am the one who is mentoring this show.
You lay too much stress on originality and fidelity to the songs?
If you write an article and someone gives his byline to it how would you feel? It is nothing but plagiarism. Similarly, remix songs have been derived through cheating.
