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Pankaj Kapur

Pankaj Kapur

Actor, also writer and director · Born May 29, 1954 (72) · Ludhiana, Punjab, India

Pankaj Kapur, born in Ludhiana, Punjab, India, is a highly respected Indian actor, director, and playwright known for his exceptional contributions to the world of Indian cinema, television, and theater. With a career spanning over four decades, Pankaj Kapur has carved a niche for himself with his versatility, nuanced performances, and creative endeavors. Pankaj Kapur began his acting journey in the theater, where he honed his skills and gained recognition for his exceptional talent. He made his mark in the world of television with the critically acclaimed series "Karamchand" (1985-1988), where he portrayed the titular character of the quirky detective Karamchand. In Bollywood, Pankaj Kapur's film career took off with films like "Mandi" (1983) and "Ek Doctor Ki Maut" (1990), where he showcased his ability to portray complex and layered characters. However, it was his collaboration with filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj that brought him widespread acclaim. Pankaj Kapur delivered memorable performances in Vishal Bhardwaj's films, including "Maqbool" (2003), "The Blue Umbrella" (2005), and "Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola" (2013). His collaborations with Bhardwaj were marked by their depth and authenticity, establishing Pankaj Kapur as a powerhouse performer in the industry. Apart from his acting career, Pankaj Kapur has directed and produced television shows and films. His directorial venture, "Mausam" (2011), showcased his prowess behind the camera as well. Pankaj Kapur is also known for his contribution to theater, where he has been associated with iconic productions. His work as a playwright and actor in plays like "Dopehri" has received critical acclaim and demonstrated his commitment to diverse forms of storytelling. In recognition of his exceptional contribution to Indian cinema and entertainment, Pankaj Kapur has received numerous awards, including the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for "Raakh" (1989) and the National Film Award for Best Actor for "Ek Doctor Ki Maut" (1991). Pankaj Kapur continues to be an influential figure in the Indian entertainment industry, maintaining a balance between cinema, television, and theater.

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Biography from IMDb.

Born
May 29, 1954 (72)
From
Ludhiana, Punjab, India
Works as
Actor, also writer and director
Titles
14 on MovieCove · 56 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Down 18% in 30 days

What are Pankaj Kapur's films like?

Across their 12 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Morality.

Genres

Drama5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 84th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 11th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 34th percentile
: browse their Action movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
31%
Morality
25%
Bonds
20%
Power
16%
Survival
5%
Society
3%
Romantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDuty2 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 11 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 4 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 2

Intense: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their intense movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 0 · Charged 5 · Intense 6

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 1 · Shifting 6 · Whiplash 4

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 6 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 3

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 3 · Even-paced 7 · Relentless 1

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 3 · Engaged 7 · Full focus 1

Heavy: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their heavy movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 1 · Affecting 4 · Heavy 6

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 9 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

11 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 6 of 11 analyzed roles.

Shadow
6 of 11
Mentor
2 of 11
Trickster
1 of 11
Hero
1 of 11
Threshold guardian
1 of 11
Show the 11 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
10
Melancholic
5
Dread
3
Romantic
3
Joyful
2
Other
11

How their films linger

Hopeful6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy5
  • Bittersweet5
  • Tragic2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Pankaj Kapur's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 11 of their 14 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Netflix (5).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Pankaj Kapur's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

56 credits, 14 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Thode Door Thode Paas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Show 5 episodes · as Ashwin Sinha

  • Raavi de Kande (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Actor

  • Jab Khuli Kitaab (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Gopal Ji

  • Binny and Family (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as S N Singh

  • IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack(2024)

    Show 6 episodes · as Vijaybhan Singh

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all shows

  • Bheed(2023)

    as Balram Trivedi

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Lost (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Nanu

  • Jersey(2022)

    as Coach Bali

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • JL50 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 4 episodes · as Prof. Subroto Das

  • Happi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Happi

  • Toba Tek Singh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Actor

  • Shaandaar(2015)

    as Bipin Arora

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Finding Fanny (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Don Pedro Cleto Colaco

  • Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola(2013)

    as Harry Mandola

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Mausam(2011)

    Director · Dialogue · Playback Singer · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Chala Mussaddi - Office Office (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Mussaddi Lal Tripathi

  • Tera Kya Hoga Johnny (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Story

  • Halla Bol (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Siddhu

  • Blood Brothers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Bhootnath

  • The Blue Umbrella (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Nandakishore 'Nandu' Khatri

  • Religion(2007)

    as Pandit Chaturvedi

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Sehar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Professor Bhole Shankar Tiwari

  • Dus(2005)

    as Himmat Mehendi

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Kiss Kis Ko(2004)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon(2003)

    as Satyaprakash

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Maqbool(2003)

    as Jahangir "Abbaji" Khan

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Office Office (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 21 episodes · as Musaddilal

  • Rui Ka Bojh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Kishan Shah

  • Ram Jaane(1995)

    as Pannu Technicolor

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Kshatriya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Raja Devendra Pratap Singh (Surjangarh)

  • Watch Your Tongue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 50 episodes · as Mohan Bharti

  • Roja(1992)

    as Liaqat

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Death of a Doctor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Dr. Dipankar Roy

  • Raakh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Inspector P.K

  • Kamla Ki Maut (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Sudhakar

  • The Lamp of the Tomb (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Raunki

  • Main Zinda Hoon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Ravi

  • Tamas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 6 episodes · as Thekedar

  • Ek Aadmi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Actor

  • Susman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Actor

  • This Is Not Our Destination (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Actor

  • Ek Ruka Hua Faisla (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Juror #3

  • Khamosh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Kuku

  • Kahan Kahan Se Guzar Gaya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Manohar

  • Chameli Ki Shaadi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Kallumal 'Koylewala', Chameli's Father

  • Musafir (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Shankeran Pillai

  • Aghaat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Chhotelal

  • Karamchand (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 24 episodes · as Karamchand

  • The Ruins (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Dipu

  • Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Actor

  • Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Tarneja

  • Mandi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Shantidevi's Assistant

  • Arohan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Village Teacher

  • Gandhi(1982)

    as Pyarelal

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Aadharshila (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Actor

  • The Criminals of Kathmandu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Rajendra Sharma/ Jagdeesh

Career shape

Star power in the 93rd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 56 titles, 55 of them dated from 1982 to 2025; peak year 2004.

Biggest box office

Shaandaar (2015)

$14M worldwide

Highest rated

Maqbool (2003)

Midcredits 98th

Most popular right now

IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack (2024)

Film career

19822025

Peak 2004 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Top draw in 1 MovieCove title. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting53 of 56: 53 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score61stDirecting1 of 56: 0 only directing, 1 with another roleWriting3 of 56: 2 only writing, 1 with another roleOther crew1 of 56: 0 only other crew, 1 with another role

By decade

1980s22 · acting1990s6 · acting2000s10 · 9 acting · 1 crew2010s8 · 6 acting · 2 crew2020s9 · acting

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 0% of 11 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Pankaj Kapur's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 42nd percentile, the median of all 13; across their 11 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 31st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

31stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Approval · how many liked their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Reach · how many have seen their films

69thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Midcredits score across 14 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up6
  • 25th to 49th4
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

7 of their 14 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser1
  • Mixed7

Most divisive · actor

IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack (2024)

99th percentile spread · 33% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Maqbool (2003)

Midcredits 98th · 91% liked

Reviewers score the acting 69/100 in their films, across 11 reviewed titles; fans 82, detractors 50. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Pankaj Kapur's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 33 · mildMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Pankaj Kapur work with?

People who share at least 2 of Pankaj Kapur's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Anubhav Sinha shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers