Rajat Kapoor is a multifaceted Indian actor, filmmaker, and playwright known for his contributions to Hindi cinema. Born on February 11, 1961, in Delhi, Kapoor's passion for storytelling emerged early. He joined the theatre group Chingari in 1983 and later honed his craft at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune.
Kapoor began his career in parallel cinema, debuting in the 1989 film Khayal Gatha. Struggling to find acting opportunities in the 1990s, he turned to writing and directing. His directorial debut, Private Detective: Two Plus Two Plus One (1997), showcased his unique storytelling style. Kapoor gained mainstream recognition with roles in films like Dil Chahta Hai (2001) and Monsoon Wedding (2001).
As a filmmaker, Kapoor is celebrated for his independent projects, including Raghu Romeo (2003), which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi. His other notable works include Mixed Doubles (2005) and Mithya (2008). Kapoor's films often explore unconventional themes with a touch of humor and introspection.
Beyond cinema, Kapoor has hosted the chat show Lounge and appeared in television series like Rishtey. A three-time National Award winner, he is also known for his crowdfunding efforts to finance films like RkRkay.
Kapoor is married to Meenal Agarwal, a photographer and production designer, and they have two children. Despite his success, Kapoor remains grounded, continuing to push creative boundaries in Indian cinema.