Rajat Kapoor is a celebrated Indian actor, filmmaker, and playwright known for his contributions to Hindi cinema. With a career spanning over three decades, he has established himself as a versatile performer and a visionary director.
From his early days in theatre to his critically acclaimed films, Rajat Kapoor’s journey is a testament to his passion for storytelling. This blog post delves into his life, career, and achievements.
Early Life and Upbringing
Rajat Kapoor was born on February 11, 1961, in Delhi, India. He grew up in Old Delhi and developed an interest in filmmaking at the age of 14. In 1983, he joined the theatre group Chingari in Delhi, where he honed his acting skills.
Later, he moved to Pune to attend the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). His time at FTII laid the foundation for his illustrious career in the entertainment industry.
Personal Life – Age, Zodiac Sign
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rajat Kapoor |
| Nickname | Rajat |
| Alternative Name(s) | Rajat Dholakiya |
| Date of Birth | 11 February 1961 |
| Age (as of 2024) | 63 years |
| Religion | Atheism |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Birthplace | Delhi, India |
| Hometown | Delhi, India |
| Current Address | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Education Qualification | Graduate, Film and Television Institute of India |
| Hobbies and Interests | Theatre, Writing, Directing |
| Languages Known | Hindi, English |
| Social Media Profiles | Facebook , Instagram |
| Wikipedia Profile | Rajat Kapoor Wikipedia |
| IMDb Profile | Rajat Kapoor IMDb |
| Website | N/A |
Physical Appearance – Height, Weight, Body Measurements
| Physical Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Body Type | Slim |
| Body Measurements | 34-32-12 inches |
| Height | 5’11”, 180 cm |
| Weight | 154 lbs, 70 kg |
| Chest | 34 inche |
| Waist | 32 inche |
| Biceps | 12 inche |
| Eye Colour | Dark Brown |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Hairstyle | Short, Neat |
| Distinctive Features | Expressive Eyes |
| Tattoos | N/A |
Family and Relationships – Boyfriend/Husband, Affairs
Rajat Kapoor is married to Meenal Agarwal, a photographer and production designer. The couple has two children, Vivan Kapoor and Rabia Kapoor. His brother, Rajneesh Kapoor, is a stand-up comedian. Rajat is known for keeping his personal life private, focusing instead on his professional endeavors.
| Relationships Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse – Wife | Meenal Agarwal |
| Father | N/A |
| Mother | N/A |
| Children | Vivan Kapoor, Rabia Kapoor |
| Siblings | Rajneesh Kapoor |
| Affairs – Girlfriend(s) | Meenal Agarwal |
| Significant Relationships | Meenal Agarwal |
Rise to Stardom
Rajat Kapoor made his acting debut with the film Khayal Gatha in 1989. However, his breakthrough came with Dil Chahta Hai (2001), where he played a supporting role. He gained international recognition for his performance in Mira Nair’s Monsoon Wedding (2001).
Over the years, Rajat has acted in and directed several critically acclaimed films, including Raghu Romeo (2003), Mixed Doubles (2006), and Ankhon Dekhi (2014).
Rajat Kapoor – Selfie
Rajat Kapoor – Debut Film – Khayal Gatha
Rajat Kapoor – Successful Film – Raghu Romeo
Career, Awards, and Achievements
Rajat Kapoor’s career is marked by versatility and excellence. He has received numerous awards for his contributions to Indian cinema, including:
- National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi for Raghu Romeo (2003).
- Filmfare Critics’ Award for Best Film for Ankhon Dekhi (2014).
- Screen Award for Best Story for Ankhon Dekhi (2015).
- Cinefan Award for Best Actor for Siddharth: The Prisoner (2008).
Apart from acting and directing, Rajat is also a playwright and has been actively involved in theatre.
| Career Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Profession(s) | Actor, Filmmaker, Playwright |
| Debut Film | Khayal Gatha (1989) |
| Notable Roles | Dil Chahta Hai, Monsoon Wedding, Kapoor & Sons |
| Recent Films – New Movies | RK/RKAY (2022), Kadakh (2020) |
| Upcoming Films | Raid 2 (2025), Saare Jahan Se Accha (2025) |
| Popular Television Series | Tanaav, Jehanabad – Of Love & War |
| Awards and Achievements | National Film Awards (Raghu Romeo), Filmfare Awards (Ankhon Dekhi) |
| Endorsements/Brand Collaborations | Glamyo Health Campaign |
| Philanthropy/Charity Work | Sightsavers Collaboration |
| Professional Associations | Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) |
| Training and Education | Graduate, FTII |
| Production Company | Nflicks Pvt Ltd |
| Box Office Success – Hit Movies | Kapoor & Sons, Drishyam, Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na |
| Critical Acclaim Movies | Raghu Romeo, Ankhon Dekhi, Mixed Doubles |
Assets and Finances – Net Worth
| Financial Profile | Information |
|---|---|
| Financial Profile | Information |
| Net Worth in Dollars | $100,000 – $1 Million |
| Per Movie Charges in Dollars | N/A |
| Per Endorsement Charges | N/A |
| Sponsorship Deals | Glamyo Health Campaign |
| Business Ventures | makesense eco-ventures |
| Investments | Department DCRUST Murthal |
| Real Estate Holdings | Licensed Estate Agent at The ARK 7 Real Estate – MELTON |
| Luxury Items/Properties Owned | House |
| Cars Collection | Mercedes GLS 350D |
Favorite Things, Likes and Dislikes
| Favorite Things | Information |
|---|---|
| Favorite Actor | Naseeruddin Shah |
| Favorite Actress | N/A |
| Favorite Film | The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky |
| Favorite Music Bands | N/A |
| Favorite Sport | Football |
| Favorite Books | The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky |
| Favorite Colour | Black |
| Favorite Food | Bedmi Aloo, Parathas |
| Things s/he like | Theatre, Writing, Directing |
| Things s/he dislike | Mobile Phones on Sets |
Top 5 Best Films – Rajat Kapoor
| Film Name | Year of Release | Character Played |
|---|---|---|
| Raghu Romeo | 2003 | Raghu |
| Ankhon Dekhi | 2014 | Raje Bauji |
| Dil Chahta Hai | 2001 | Preity Zinta’s Uncle |
| Monsoon Wedding | 2001 | Abusive Uncle |
| Kapoor & Sons | 2016 | Harsh Kapoor |
Controversies – Rajat Kapoor
- MeToo Allegations: In 2018, Rajat Kapoor was accused of sexual harassment by multiple women. He issued a public apology.
- Crowdfunding Criticism: His use of crowdfunding for films like Raghu Romeo sparked debates about financial transparency.
- Artistic Choices: Some of his films, like Mixed Doubles, faced criticism for exploring unconventional themes.
- Festival Withdrawals: His film Kadakh was dropped from the MAMI Film Festival due to the #MeToo allegations.
- Atheism Views: His outspoken views on atheism have occasionally stirred controversy.
Interesting Facts – Rajat Kapoor
- Rajat Kapoor initially aspired to be a filmmaker before venturing into acting.
- He financed Raghu Romeo by sending email requests to friends for funding.
- He is a three-time National Film Award winner.
- Rajat is an atheist and has openly shared his views on religion.
- He frequently collaborates with actors like Vinay Pathak and Ranvir Shorey.
- His films often blend humor with thought-provoking themes.
Rajat Kapoor’s journey from a theatre enthusiast to a celebrated actor and filmmaker is truly inspiring. His contributions to Indian cinema have left a lasting impact, and his dedication to storytelling continues to inspire aspiring artists. With a career marked by creativity and resilience, Rajat Kapoor remains a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
