Achal Surinder Kapoor, popularly known as Boney Kapoor, is a prominent Indian film producer whose career spans across Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu cinema. Born on November 11, 1955, Boney hails from a well-established family in the film industry. His father, Surinder Kapoor, was a film producer, while his mother, Nirmal Kapoor, belonged to a Punjabi Hindu background. Growing up in a family rooted in the world of cinema, Boney and his brothers, Anil and Sanjay Kapoor, both pursued careers in the film industry—Anil as an actor and Sanjay as a producer.
Early Life and Family Background Boney Kapoor’s childhood was marked by an Arya Samaji upbringing in a culturally rich Punjabi family. From an early age, Boney was exposed to the film industry, which would later shape his career. His connection to the film world was not limited to his immediate family; he was also distantly related to the Kapoor family of Prithviraj Kapoor, a lineage that played a pivotal role in shaping Bollywood’s legacy.
Journey into Cinema Boney Kapoor’s foray into the world of cinema was deeply influenced by his experience working under legendary filmmakers such as Shakti Samanta. Over the years, Boney carved a niche for himself as a producer in Hindi cinema, but his involvement also extended to Tamil and Telugu films.
Boney’s most iconic and unforgettable production came in the form of Mr. India (1987), directed by Shekhar Kapur. This science fiction film, which starred his brother Anil Kapoor and future wife Sridevi, was an instant hit and continues to be remembered as a cult classic in Indian cinema. It was the second highest-grossing film of 1987 and gave Bollywood one of its most iconic quotes, “Mogambo khush hua” by the legendary Amrish Puri. The film’s popularity was further enhanced by the unforgettable song “Hawa Hawaii,” performed by Sridevi, which remains a timeless classic to this day. Mr. India was not just a box office success, but also found a place in many lists of the greatest Bollywood films of all time, including the Indiatimes Movies ranking of the “Top 25 Must See Bollywood Films.” In 2013, it was even named one of the “100 Greatest Indian Films of All Time” by the centenary of Indian cinema.
Boney’s early career also saw other landmark productions. Hum Paanch (1980) was an important film in establishing Bollywood legends like Mithun Chakraborty and Amrish Puri. His other notable productions include Woh Saat Din (1983), which helped launch the careers of both Anil Kapoor and actress Pooja Bhatt, Prem (1995), which introduced his younger brother Sanjay Kapoor and Tabu to the industry, and Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe (2002), which gave actress Esha Deol her debut.
Challenges and Milestones In 1993, Boney Kapoor produced one of the most expensive films of its time, Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja. Despite its massive budget and elaborate production, the film failed at the box office. Nevertheless, Boney’s consistent efforts as a producer continued, with a steady stream of successes and failures alike.
In 1997, Boney once again collaborated with Sridevi and Anil Kapoor on the film Judaai, a commercial hit that became one of the most successful films of that year. This was followed by his production of Pukar (2000), a critically acclaimed film that received multiple National Film Awards, including Best Actor for Anil Kapoor’s powerful performance.
Exploring New Genres Boney Kapoor’s filmography also includes a foray into the gritty world of crime drama with Company (2002), directed by Ram Gopal Varma. The film, which explored the underworld of Mumbai, was a massive success both critically and commercially. It was lauded for its gripping narrative and strong performances, particularly by Ajay Devgn and Vivek Oberoi. Company became a landmark film, contributing to the rise of the “Mumbai noir” genre and is considered one of the most influential films of its time.
Following the success of Company, Boney Kapoor produced several other notable films, including Run (2004) starring Abhishek Bachchan. While Run initially failed at the box office, its comedic scenes, especially the famous “Kauwa Biryani” segment, eventually earned it a cult following. 2005’s No Entry, a comedy that became one of the highest-grossing films of the year, further solidified Boney Kapoor’s position in the industry.
Continued Success Boney’s success continued with films like Wanted (2009), a massive hit that helped re-establish Salman Khan as a superstar. Wanted went on to break several box office records, becoming one of the highest-grossing films of 2009 and shattering records in Pakistan. Boney’s involvement with this film marked a significant chapter in his career, as it also reflected his ability to adapt to the changing trends of Bollywood.
In 2016, Boney Kapoor took a bold step by acquiring the remake rights of the critically acclaimed Hindi film Pink. This led to the production of the Tamil remake, Nerkonda Paarvai (2019), starring Ajith Kumar. The film became a major commercial and critical success. Boney later went on to produce the Telugu version of Pink, titled Vakeel Saab (2021), starring Pawan Kalyan. Both films earned Boney recognition in the Tamil and Telugu film industries, marking his debut in these regional cinemas.
Personal Life Boney Kapoor’s personal life has been just as notable as his professional career. In 1983, he married Mona Shourie, with whom he had two children, Arjun and Anshula. Arjun Kapoor, born in 1985, made his acting debut in 2012 with Ishaqzaade, while his sister Anshula, born in 1990, pursued her studies at Barnard College. Boney’s first marriage ended in divorce in 1996.
In the same year, Boney married actress Sridevi, one of the most iconic figures in Indian cinema. Together, they had two daughters, Janhvi Kapoor (born 1997) and Khushi Kapoor (born 2000). Sridevi’s tragic passing in 2018, after an accidental drowning in a Dubai hotel, marked a dark chapter in the Kapoor family’s history. Her sudden death was a huge loss to both the Kapoor family and the Indian film industry.
Boney Kapoor continues to be an influential figure in Indian cinema, producing films that span across genres, regions, and languages. His legacy in the entertainment industry remains strong, not only through his own films but also through his children, who have continued his family’s cinematic tradition.