Shekhar Kapur (born 6 December 1945) is an Indian film director, actor and producer who has worked in both Bollywood and Hollywood. He directed the Hindi classics Masoom and Mr. India and the controversial Bandit Queen. His period drama Elizabeth (1998) won seven Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, and the BAFTA for Best British Film.
Quick Facts
| Full name | Shekhar Kulbhushan Kapur |
| Born | 6 December 1945, Lahore, Punjab (now in Pakistan) |
| Age | 80 |
| Profession | Director, actor, producer |
| Family | Nephew of actors Dev Anand and Vijay Anand |
| Known for | Masoom, Mr. India, Bandit Queen, Elizabeth |
| Honour | Padma Shri (2000) |
Early Life
Shekhar Kapur was born in Lahore. His family moved to Delhi after Partition. His mother was a sister of the actor brothers Chetan, Dev and Vijay Anand. He studied economics at St. Stephen’s College in Delhi and qualified as a chartered accountant in London before leaving the profession for the arts.
Career
Kapur began as an actor in films and on the TV series Khandaan. His directing debut, Masoom (1983), a gentle family drama, won wide acclaim. He followed it with the blockbuster science-fiction adventure Mr. India (1987), starring Anil Kapoor. Bandit Queen (1994), based on the life of Phoolan Devi, won international praise and stirred controversy.
Elizabeth (1998), starring Cate Blanchett, earned seven Academy Award nominations and made Kapur an internationally recognised director. He went on to direct The Four Feathers (2002), Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007) and What’s Love Got to Do with It? (2022). He also co-produced the stage musical Bombay Dreams with A. R. Rahman.
Kapur served as festival director of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) for two editions. In 2026 he announced a sequel to Masoom, and he is set to direct a film about the vaccine pioneer Waldemar Haffkine.
Personal Life
Kapur was married to Medha Jalota and later to the actress and singer Suchitra Krishnamoorthi. He and Suchitra have a daughter, Kaveri.
Selected Filmography
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Shekhar Kapur born?
Shekhar Kapur was born on 6 December 1945 in Lahore, Punjab (now in Pakistan).
What is Shekhar Kapur known for?
Known for: Masoom, Mr. India, Bandit Queen, Elizabeth.
