The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it is administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorate of Film Festivals since 1973.^[1][2]

Every year, a national panel appointed by the government selects the winning entry, and the award ceremony is held in New Delhi, where the President of India presents the awards. This is followed by the inauguration of the National Film Festival, where the award-winning films are screened for the public. Declared for films produced in the previous year across the country, they hold the distinction of awarding merit to the best of Indian cinema overall, as well as presenting awards for the best films in each region and language of the country. Due to the national scale of the National Film Awards, it is considered to be the equivalent of the American Academy Awards.^[3][4]

History[link]

The Awards were first presented in 1954. The Government of India conceived the ceremony to honor films made across India, on a national scale, to encourage the furthering of Indian art and culture. Since 1973, the Indian Directorate of Film festivals administers the ceremony along with other major film events in India annually. It is the highest award given for films in India.

Juries and rules[link]

The National Film Awards are presented in two main categories: Feature Films and Non-Feature Films. The feature film jury for 2009 consists of 13 members, including Rahul Dholakia and is headed by Buddhadeb Dasgupta. The non feature film jury consists of five members and is headed by Bikram Singh.^[5] The juries are appointed by the Directorate of Film Festivals in India. Neither the Government nor the Directorate have influence over which films are selected for consideration and which films ultimately win awards. There are strict criteria as to whether a film is eligible for consideration by the jury panels. Over 100 films made across the country are entered in each category (Feature and Non-Feature) for the awards and deemed eligible each year.

A list of rules is presented every year in a document of regulations known as the National Film Award Regulations. The criteria for eligibility contains many clauses. Among them, there is a direct requirement for the makers of a film, and particularly the director, to be Indian nationals.^[6] Films entering the competition should be produced in India, and in case of co-production involving a foreign entity, there are as many as six conditions which should be fulfilled in order for the film to qualify.^[6] According to the criteria, in order to be eligible for consideration of the jury, a film should be certified by the Central Board of Film Certification between January 1 and December 31. Whether a film is considered a feature film or a non-feature film shall be decided by the Feature Film jury. The eligibility list includes a section of rules determining which films shall not by eligible for entry in the competition.^[6]

Awards up to 2012[link]

The Awards are presented to feature films produced in the previous year,^[7] given in the following categories:

Golden Lotus Award[link]

Official Name: Swarna Kamal

Silver Lotus Award[link]

Official Name: Rajat Kamal

Best Feature Film in each of the languages specified in schedule VIII of the constitution:

Best Feature Film in each of the languages other than those specified in schedule VIII of the constitution:

Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award[link]

This award is for lifetime achievement and contribution to Indian Cinema. It is named after Dadasaheb Phalke, one of India's pioneering film makers.

• Dadasaheb Phalke Award

Non-Feature Film Awards[link]

The Awards presented to Non-Feature Films are given in different categories including the following:

Best Book on Cinema[link]

This award is given to the Best Book on Cinema:

• Best Book on Cinema

Best Film Critic[link]

This award is given to the Best Film Critic on Cinema: Best Film Critic

References[link]

Further reading[link]

• Matthew, K.M. (2006), Manorama Yearbook 2006, Malayala Manorama, India, ISBN 81-89004-07-7 

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: National Film Awards

• Directorate of Film Festivals
• National Film Awards at IMDB

v t e Indian honours and decorations Civilian International Gandhi Peace Prize National Bharat Ratna Padma Vibhushan Padma Bhushan Padma Shri National Bravery Award Central Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan Award Ganga Sharan Award Ganesh Hindi Vidyarthi Award Aatma Ram Award Subramanya Bharathi Award George Grierson Award Moturi Satyanarayan Award By field Literature Jnanpith Award Sahitya Akademi Fellowship Sahitya Akademi Award Cinema Dadasaheb Phalke Award National Film Awards Other arts Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship Sangeet Natak Akademi Award Lalit Kala Akademi Fellowship Sports Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award Arjuna Award Dronacharya Award (coaching) Dhyan Chand Award (lifetime achievement) Science and Technology Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology Military Wartime Param Vir Chakra Maha Vir Chakra Vir Chakra Peacetime Ashoka Chakra Kirti Chakra Shaurya Chakra Wartime / Peacetime Service & Gallantry Sena Medal (Army) Nao Sena Medal (Navy) Vayusena Medal (Air Force) Wartime Distinguished Service Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal Uttam Yudh Seva Medal Yudh Seva Medal Peacetime Distinguished Service Param Vishisht Seva Medal Ati Vishisht Seva Medal Vishisht Seva Medal

v t e Cinema of India Industries Assamese Bengali Bhojpuri Hindi Kannada Konkani Malayalam Marathi Oriya Punjabi Rajasthani Tamil Telugu Tulu Indian films Assamese Bengali Bhojpuri English Gujarati Hindi Kannada Konkani Malayalam Marathi Oriya Punjabi Sindhi Tamil Telugu Tulu Urdu Other topics Actors Art Directors Awards Directors Choreographers Cinematographers Composers Costume designers Editors Festivals Lyricists Playback singers Producers Screenwriters Studios

This is a list of groups, organizations and festivals that recognize achievements in cinema, usually by awarding various prizes. The awards sometimes also have popular unofficial names (such as the 'Oscar' for Hollywood's Academy Awards), which are mentioned if applicable. Many awards are simply identified by the name of the group presenting the award.

Awards have been divided into three major categories: critics' awards, voted on (usually annually) by a group of critics; festival awards, awards presented to the best film shown in a particular film festival; and industry awards, which are selected by professionals working in some branch of the movie industry.

Significant critics' awards[link]

International[link]

FIPRESCI (Fédération Internationale de la Presse Cinématographique) or International Film Critics Award given by the International Federation of Film Critics at various film festivals

Argentina[link]

• Argentine Film Critics Association Awards
• Clarín Awards
• Konex Award

Australia[link]

• Australian Film Critics Association (AFCA)
• Film Critics Circle of Australia (FCCA)

Canada[link]

• Toronto Film Critics Association (TFCA) - Link
• Vancouver Film Critics Circle (VFCC) - Link
• Genie Award - Link
• Canadian Film Awards

Denmark[link]

• Danish Association of Film Critics - Bodil Awards

France[link]

• French Union of Film Critics
• Louis Delluc Prize

Germany[link]

• German Film Critics Association Awards

Hong Kong[link]

• Hong Kong Film Award
• Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards
• Golden Bauhinia Awards

India[link]

• Anandalok Awards
• Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards
• Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards
• BIG Star Entertainment Awards
• Dadasaheb Phalke Award
• Filmfare Awards
• Filmfare Awards South
• Vijay Awards
• Global Indian Film Awards
• Golden Kela Awards
• International Indian Film Academy Awards
• Mathrubhumi Film Awards
• National Film Awards {Directorate of Film Festivals}
• Asianet Film Awards
• Star Screen Awards
• Stardust Awards
• Zee Cine Awards

Internet[link]

• Cadet Awards
• Cinemarati Awards
• Online Film Critics Society
• Online Motion Picture Academy
• Skander Halim Memorial Movie Survey
• Award of the Italian Foreign Academy
• Italian Online Movie Awards
• Gransito Movie Awards
• GoldSpirit Awards - Soundtracks and film music
• Movie Farm Awards
• The Golden Pipe Awards
• The Sammy Film Music Awards

Pakistan[link]

• Nigar Award
• Lux Style Award
• Nigar Awards
• Bolan Academy Awards
• National Film Awards
• Hum Film Awards

Philippines[link]

• Gawad Urian Awards of the Filipino Film Critics

Turkey[link]

• SIYAD Awards of Turkish Film Critics Association (SİYAD)

United Kingdom[link]

• BAFTA Awards
• Evening Standard British Film Awards
• London Film Critics Circle
• National Movie Awards - first one aired September 29, 2007, on ITV

United States[link]

• American Film Institute (AFI) - Link
• Austin Film Critics Association (AFCA)
• Boston Society of Film Critics (BSFC) - Link
• Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) - Link
• Central Ohio Film Critics Association (COFCA)
• Chicago Film Critics Association (CFCA) - Link
• Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association (DFWFCA) - Link
• Florida Film Critics Circle (FFCC) - Link
• Golden Raspberry Awards (a.k.a. the Razzies)
• Gotham Awards
• Iowa Film Critics (IFC) - Link
• Kansas City Film Critics Circle (KCFCC) - Link
• Las Vegas Film Critics Society (LVFCS) - Link
• Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA) - Link
• Murray Film Critics Circle Awards
• National Society of Film Critics (NSFC) - Link
• National Board of Review (NBR) - Link
• New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC) - Link
• New York Film Critics Online (NYFCO)
• Phoenix Film Critics Society (PFCS) - Link
• Political Film Society (PFS)
• Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards
• San Diego Film Critics Society (SDFCS) - Link
• San Francisco Film Critics Circle (SFFCC) - Link
• Seattle Film Critics (SFC)
• Southeastern Film Critics Association (SEFCA) - Link
• St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association (SLGFCA)
• NYU Tisch School of the Arts Wasserman Award
• Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association - (WAFCA) - Link

Significant Festival awards[link]

(This is not intended to be a complete list of film festivals, but to showcase the distinctively named awards given at some festivals.)

Africa[link]

• Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO)

Argentina[link]

• Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema
  • Peoples Choice Award

• Mar del Plata Film Festival
  • Ástor Award

Belgium[link]

• Flanders International Film Festival Ghent

Bosnia and Herzegovina[link]

• Sarajevo Film Festival
  • Heart of Sarajevo

Canada[link]

• Montreal World Film Festival
  • Grand Prix des Ameriques (best picture)
• Toronto International Film Festival
  • People's Choice Award

Croatia[link]

• Motovun Film Festival
  • Propeller of Motovun
• ZagrebDox
  • Big Stamp
  • Little Stamp

Czech Republic[link]

• Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
  • Crystal Globe (best picture)

Egypt[link]

• Cairo International Film Festival
  • Golden Pyramid (best picture)

France[link]

• Cannes International Film Festival
  • Palme d'Or (best picture)
  • Grand Prize (best picture runner up)
  • Camera d'Or (best first picture)

Germany[link]

• Berlin International Film Festival
  • Golden Bear (best picture)
  • Silver Bear (jury grand prize, director, actor and actress)

Greece[link]

• International Thessaloniki Film Festival
  • Golden Alexander (best picture)

India[link]

• International Film Festival of India
  • Golden Peacock (best picture)
• International Film Festival of Kerala
  • Golden Crow Pheasant
• Mumbai International Film Festival
  • Golden Conch (best fiction and best documentary)

Iran[link]

• Fajr International Film Festival

Italy[link]

• Venice International Film Festival
  • Golden Lion (best picture)
  • Coppa Volpi (best actor and actress)

Morocco[link]

• International Film Festival of Marrakech
  • Golden Star (best picture)

Netherlands[link]

• Netherlands Film Festival
  • Golden Calf (various categories)

Norway[link]

• Norwegian International Film Festival
  • Amanda (various categories)
• Tromsø International Film Festival

Pakistan[link]

• Kara Film Festival

Poland[link]

• Festiwal Polskich Filmów Fabularnych
  • Golden Lions (Złote Lwy)

• Polish Film Academy
  • Eagels (Orły)

• International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography CAMERIMAGE
  • Golden Frogs (Złote Żaby)

Portugal[link]

• Fantasporto
  • Grande Prémio Fantasporto

Philippines[link]

• Cinemanila International Film Festival
• Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival
• Metro Manila Film Festival

Russia[link]

• Moscow International Film Festival
  • Saint George Slaying the Dragon

Spain[link]

• San Sebastián International Film Festival
  • Golden Shell (best picture)
• Ciudad de Santander International Sport Film Festival
  • Categories: Shorts; documentary; features on theme of sport

Sweden[link]

• Göteborg Film Festival
  • Göteborg Film Festival Nordic Film Award, The FilmDragon
  • The Ingmar Bergman International Debut Award
• Stockholm International Film Festival
  • Bronze Horse (best picture)

Switzerland[link]

• Locarno International Film Festival
  • Golden Leopard (best picture)
  • Silver Leopard (best picture)
  • Bronze Leopard (best actor and actress)
• Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival
  • The Narcisse Award (the statuette has been designed by H.R. Giger).

Turkey[link]

• Adana International Film Festival
  • Golden Boll
• AFM International Independent Film Festival
• Ankara Flying Broom Women's Film Festival
• Antalya Film Festival
  • Golden Orange
• International Eurasia Film Festival
• Istanbul Animation Festival
• Istanbul International Film Festival
  • Golden Tulip
  • Film Award of the Council of Europe (FACE)

United Kingdom[link]

• London Film Festival
  • The Sutherland Trophy (best picture)
• Dinard Festival of British Cinema
  • Golden Hitchcock (best picture)

United States[link]

• Chicago International Film Festival
  • Gold Hugo (best picture)
  • Silver Hugo (picture runner-up, actor, actress, director and cinematography)
• Sundance Film Festival
  • Grand Jury Prize
  • Audience Award
• Hawaii International Film Festival
  • Golden Maile (best picture)
• Seattle International Film Festival
  • Golden Space Needle (best picture)
• Slamdance Film Festival

Industry awards[link]

Africa[link]

• African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA)

Argentina[link]

• Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of Argentina Awards

Australia[link]

• Australian Film Institute Awards
• AWGIE Awards

Belgium[link]

• Joseph Plateau Awards
• Magritte Awards

Canada[link]

• Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television
  • Genie Awards
  • Prix Gemeaux
• Canadian Society of Cinematographers
• Feminist Porn Awards
• Jutra Awards

Catalonia[link]

• Gaudí Awards

China[link]

• Golden Rooster Awards

Denmark[link]

• The Film Academy of Denmark - Robert Awards

Europe[link]

• European Film Academy
  • European Film Awards (formerly the Felix)

Finland[link]

• Jussi Awards

France[link]

• César Awards
• Lumieres de Paris Awards
• Prix Romy Schneider

Germany[link]

• Bayerischer Filmpreis
• Bogey Awards
• Bremer Filmpreis
• Deutscher Filmpreis (German Film Awards)
• German Screen Awards

Hong Kong[link]

• Hong Kong Film Awards
• Asian Film Awards

India[link]

• Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards
• BIG Star Entertainment Awards
• Filmfare Awards South
• Filmfare Awards
• Global Indian Film and Television Honours
• IIFA Awards
• Kerala State Film Awards for the Malayalam cinema
• Nandi Awards in India for Telugu cinema
• Star Screen Awards
• Stardust Awards
• Zee Cine Awards

Indonesia[link]

• Citra AwardsIndonesia Movie Awards

International[link]

• International Documentary Association Awards
• World Soundtrack Awards
• World Stunt Awards

Ireland[link]

• Irish Film and Television Academy Awards

Israel[link]

• Ophir Award

Italy[link]

• David di Donatello Awards
• Nastro d'Argento Awards

Japan[link]

• Blue Ribbon Awards
• Japan Academy Prize
• Mainichi Film Awards

Lithuania[link]

• Sidabrinė gervė

Mexico[link]

• Ariel Award

Pakistan[link]

• Lux Style Award

Philippines[link]

• Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences
  • FAMAS Awards
• Film Academy of the Philippines
  • Luna Awards
• PMPC Star Awards for Movies

Poland[link]

• Polish Film Awards

Portugal[link]

• Sophia Awards

Romania[link]

• Gopo Awards

Russia[link]

• Nika Award
• Golden Eagle Award

South Africa[link]

• South African Film and Television Awards

South Korea[link]

• Chunsa Film Art Awards
• Grand Bell Awards

Spain[link]

• Goya Awards

Sweden[link]

• Guldbagge Award
• PlexiDraken at Göteborg International Film Festival

Switzerland[link]

• Swiss Film Awards

Taiwan[link]

• Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards

Thailand[link]

• Thailand National Film Association Awards

Turkey[link]

• Yeşilçam Award

United Kingdom[link]

• British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA)
  • British Academy Film Awards
• British Independent Film Awards

United States[link]

• Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
  • Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars
• Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films
  • Saturn Award
• American Choreography Awards
• American Cinema Editors Golden Reels
• American Society of Cinematographers
• Art Directors Guild
• ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) Film and Television Awards
• AVN (Adult Video News) Awards
• BMI Film Music Awards
• Casting Society of America
• Cinema Audio Society
• Costume Designers Guild
• Creative Spirit Award
• Directors Guild of America Awards - Link
• EDI Reel Awards
• Film Your Issue College Film Awards
• Golden Trailers
• Gotham Awards – Independent Feature Project
• Hollywood Foreign Press Association
  • Golden Globe Awards
• Hollywood Makeup and Hairstylist Guild
• Hollywood Reporter Key Art Awards
• Hollywood Reporter YoungStar
• Independent Spirit Awards - Link
• International Animated Film Society / ASIFA-Hollywood
  • Annie Awards
• International Film Music Critics Association (IFMCA) Awards
• International Press Academy
  • Satellite Awards - Link
• Motion Picture Sound Editors
• Murray Motion Picture Academy
  • MMPA Awards
• NAACP
  • Image Awards
• Producers Guild of America Awards - Link
• Publicists Guild of America Awards
• Screen Actors Guild Awards - Link
• ShoWest/National Association of Theatre Owners Convention
• USC Scripter Award
• Visual Effects Society Awards
• Writers Guild of America, East & Writers Guild of America, west
  • Writers Guild of America Award - Link
• The Decade Awards

Vietnam[link]

• Silver Kite Awards

Audience Awards[link]

Canada[link]

• Constellation Awards

International[link]

• YOBI.tv YobiFilm Award

India[link]

• Filmfare Award
• Filmfare Awards South
• Vijay Awards

Pakistan[link]

• Lux Style Awards

Poland[link]

• Polish Academy Audience Award

United Kingdom[link]

• ITV
  • National Movie Awards

Laurence Olivier Awards

Audience Award for Most Popular Show (now retired)

United States[link]

• Independent Lens Audience Award

• Nickelodeon
  • Kid's Choice Awards Includes both film and other media awards.

• Fox
  • Teen Choice Awards Includes both film and other media awards.

• Procter & Gamble
  • People's Choice Awards Includes both film and other media awards.

2010/2011 award season (North American and European)[link]

Sources and references[link]

• IMDB search page for data on hundreds of awards and festivals

Annu Kapoor
Born	Annu Kapoor (1956-02-20) February 20, 1956 (age 56) [1] Jhalawar, Rajasthan, India
Occupation	Film actor
Years active	1979–present

Annu Kapoor (Hindi: अनु कपूर, Urdu: ان کپُور, born 20 February 1956)^[2] is an Indian film actor and television presenter, best remembered for hosting the singing reality show Antakshari.

Early life[link]

Annu Kapoor was born in Jhalawar Rajasthan India.

Career[link]

Annu Kapoor made his debut in the film Mandi directed by Shyam Benegal in 1983.^[3] His career has spanned nearly 30 years including a distinctive presence in Bollywood cinema, television serials, and reality game shows. He is best remembered for hosting the singing show Antakshari (later renamed to Titan Antakshari)– produced by ZEE T V. His performance as an obsessive-compulsive Sperm Clinic Doctor in the recently released Vicky Donor has met with a lot of praise from the critics as well as the audience.^[4]

In 2007 the mega hit programme Antakshari came back from the dead on Star One. It was widely publicized in 2006 that it was going to end for ever and a grand grand finale was held. During its initial course of running, Antakshari ran from 1993 to 2006 on Zee TV. Annu Kapoor hosted Antakshari: The Great Challenge, Juhi Parmar, on Star Plus.

Annu Kapoor acted as Kabir in a DD serial by the same name. He was in 2011's 7 Khoon Maaf.

The Golden Era - With Annu Kapoor is a show reminiscence of Indian cinema with veteran Kapoor. The show is a walk through the melodious and heart touching era of Bollywood music. It is divided into three harmonious segments followed by some memorable songs. The programme starts with ins and outs of Bollywood and ends with a poetic, nostalgic feel. It’s a mesmerizing hour from 9 to 10 only on Mastiii channel.^[5]

His recent potrayal of an infertility specialist who motivates & convinces the protagonist to donate sperm in the 2012 superhit Vicky Donor won him rave views. His tremendous performance was appreciated by critics & audiences alike and brought him back into reckoning.

Personal life[link]

Annu Kapoor is a follower of numerology. With the coming of Antakshari-The Great Challenge on Star One, he has changed the spelling of his last name from Kapoor to Kapur (along with Gajendra Singh who spells his name with an extra 'R' in the first name, and an extra 'I' in the last name.)^[6]

In the 3 October 2007 episode of the DD National show Music, Masti aur Dhoom, Anu Kapoor stated that he wanted to become a surgeon, but he could not afford to study as his family was poor. In an episode of the DD National show Wheel Smart Shrimati, he mentioned that he was born in Jhalawar in Rajasthan.

He is the ex-brother-in-law of actor Om Puri. His sister Seema Kapoor, a documentary filmmaker, married Om Puri in 1990, later divorcing him in 1993.

Recently, he has joined AISDC(All India Sperm Donation Committee)^{[citation needed]}.

Filmography[link]

• Vicky Donor (2012) .... Dr. Chaddha
• Gali Gali Chor Hai (2012) ....
• 7 Khoon Maaf (2011) .... Inspector Keemat Lal
• The Fakir of Venice (coming) .... Sattar
• Aitraaz (2004) .... Barrister Ram Chauthrani
• Raincoat (2004) .... Man - wanted to use the toilet
• Kuch To Gadbad Hai (2004) .... Justice Balwant Khanna
• Om Jai Jagadish (2002) (as Anu Kapoor) .... KK
• Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin (2002) .... Munnu Mobile
• Tune Mera Dil Le Liyaa (2000) .... K.K.'s assistant
• Arjun Pandit (1999) .... Imran
• Kachche Dhaage (1999)
• Udaan (1997) (as Anu Kapoor) .... Anand Lagpade
• Vijeta (1996) .... Constable Chamanlal
• Kala Pani (1996) .... Vinayak Damodar Savarkar
• Anokha Andaaz (1995)
• Jawab (1995)
• Drohkaal (1994) .... Surinder
• Darr (1993) .... Vikram "Vicky" Oberoi
• Gardish (1993) .... Manishbhai Harishbhai
• Waqt Hamara Hai (1993) (uncredited) .... Cafeteria in-charge
• Dil Ki Baazi (1993) .... Bihari (Daulatram's cook)
• Shreemaan Aashique (1993) .... Masterji - song 'Is Se Jyada Dukh Na Koi'
• Muskurahat (1992) .... Jaggan
• Paayal (1992) .... Pardesi
• Jeena Marna Tere Sang (1992)
• Ranbhoomi (1991) .... Station master
• Vishnu-Devaa (1991) .... Petty thief
• Hum (1991) .... Havaldar Arjun Singh
• Jamai Raja (1991) .... Paltu/I.C. Mishra
• Yodha (1991) .... Umeed Singh
• Ghayal (1990) .... Drunkard
• Aawaz De Kahan Hai (1990) .... Hariya aka Harry
• Pyasi Nigahen (1990) .... Susheel
• Veeru Dada (1990) .... Ibrahim Gharewali
• Zakhmi Zameen (1990) .... Madhav
• ChaalBaaz (1989) .... Daya (Tribhuvan's servant)
• Elaan-E-Jung (1989)
• Dost (1989) .... Forest Officer
• Aakhri Gulam (1989)
• Main Azaad Hoon (1989) .... Munna
• Ram Lakhan (1989) .... Shiv Charan Mathur
• The Perfect Murder (1988) .... Tiny Man
• Gunahon Ka Faisla (1988) .... Dinu
• Khoon Bahaa Ganga Mein (1988)
• Tezaab (1988) .... Abbas Ali (Guldasta)
• Mr. India (1987) .... Mr. Gaitonde (Editor)
• Susman (1987) .... Lakshmaya
• Chameli Ki Shaadi (1986) .... Chhadami Lal
• Ek Ruka Hua Faisla (1986) (TV) .... Juror #9
• Arjun (1985) (as Anu Kapoor) .... Babu Ram
• Damul (1985) .... Sanjeevan
• Utsav (1984) .... Masseur
• Khandhar (1984) .... Anil
• Mashaal (1984) .... Nagesh (Cameo)
• Betaab (1983) .... Chelaram
• Mandi (1983)
• Kaala Patthar (1979) .... Gangadhar, Compounder

Footnotes[link]

1. ^ Seasons India :: Star Directory - Profiles
2. ^ "Annu Kapoor: Still singing". http://in.rediff.com/movies/2005/nov/22annu.htm. 
3. ^ "imdb.com". http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0438465/. 
4. ^ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/hindi/Vicky-Donor/movie-review/12729176.cms
5. ^ The Golden Era with Annu Kapoor, Montage on Vimeo
6. ^ "Antakshari to be cast on Star One". http://www.internationalreporter.com/news/read.php?id=1623. 

External links[link]

• Annu Kapoor at the Internet Movie Database

Irrfan Khan
Khan at the launch of NDTV Lumiere's The Orphanage, May 2008
Born	Sahabzade Irrfan Ali Khan[1] (1967-01-07) 7 January 1967 (age 45) Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Other names	Irfan
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1989–present
Spouse	Sutapa Sikdar Khan (1995–present)
Website
http://www.irrfan.com

Sahabzade Irrfan Ali Khan, previously known as Irrfan Khan and now just Irrfan^[2][3] (Hindi: इरफ़ान ख़ान; born on 7th January 1967^[4] ), is an Indian actor in film, television and theatre. He received recognition for his roles in The Warrior (2001), Maqbool (2003), Haasil (2004), The Namesake (2006), A Mighty Heart (2007), Life in a... Metro (2007), Slumdog Millionaire (2008), Billu (2009), New York (2009), New York, I Love You (2009), Paan Singh Tomar (film) (2012), and Vodafone commercials.

He has won two Filmfare Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and an Independent Spirit Award nomination. He is also the recipient of 2011 Padma Shri award, the fourth highest civilian award in India. He has also been cast in The Amazing Spider-Man as Dr. Ratha. He has appeared in more than 30 films in the Bollywood.

Early life and background[link]

Khan was born in Jaipur to a Muslim family. Khan's mother, Sayeeda Begum, was from the Tonk Hakim family, and his father, the late Jagirdar, was from the Khajuriya village near the Tonk district, and ran a tyre business.^[5][6][7] Khan was studying for his M.A. degree when he earned a scholarship to study at National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi in 1984.

Career[link]

Khan moved to Mumbai, where he acted in numerous television serials like Chanakya, Bharat Ek Khoj, Sara Jahan Hamara, Banegi Apni Baat, Chandrakanta (Doordarshan), "AnooGoonj" on Doordarshan" Star Bestsellers (Star Plus), and Sparsh. He was the main villain in a series called Darr (which aired on Star Plus), where he played the role of a psycho serial killer, opposite Kay Kay Menon. He also played the role of famous revolutionary Urdu poet and Marxist political activist of India Makhdoom Mohiuddin in Kahkashan produced by Ali Sardar Jafri.

He acted in some of the episodes of Star Bestsellers (aired on Star-Plus). In one of the episodes (Ek Sham Ki Mulakat), his role was of a parchoon shopkeeper who has a misconception that his landlord's wife is trying to seduce him and it turns out that his own wife (Tisca Chopra) is cheating on him. In the other one, he played the role of an office-accountant who, after being insulted by his female boss, took revenge. He also appeared in a serial called Bhanvar (aired on SET India) for two episodes. In one episode, he performed the role of a thug who somehow lands in court, where he. Theatre and television kept him afloat until Mira Nair offered him a cameo in Salaam Bombay (1988) though his role was edited out in the final film.

In the 1990s he appeared in the critically acclaimed film Ek Doctor Ki Maut and Such a Long Journey (1998) and various other films which went unnoticed.

After many unsuccessful films, things changed when London-based director Asif Kapadia gave him the lead in The Warrior, a historical film completed in 11 weeks on location in Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. In 2001 The Warrior opened in international film festivals, making Irrfan Khan a known face^[8].

In 2003 he acted in Indian born writer-director, Ashvin Kumar's short film, "Road to Ladakh". After the film received rave reviews^[9] at international festivals, the film is now being made into a full length feature, again starring Irrfan Khan.^[10] That same year he played the title role in the critically acclaimed Maqbool, an adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth.

His first Bollywood main lead role came in 2005 with film Rog in which his performance was praised by critics, especially a critic wrote "Irfaan's eyes speak louder than his words and every time he is in frame, be it talking to his buddy Munish or arguing with Suhel, he shows his capability as an actor"^[11]. Thereafter he appeared in several films either playing the leading role or a supporting role as a villain. In 2004 he won the Filmfare Best Villain Award for his role in film Haasil. Critics praised his performance in Haasil saying that "as the ambitious, brash, fearless goon who is mind-blowing. He is outright scary and makes you sit up, wondering what he'll do next"^[12].

In 2007, he appeared in the box office hits Metro, for which he received a Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award, and The Namesake. They were closely followed by his appearance in the international films A Mighty Heart and The Darjeeling Limited.

Even after becoming a successful actor in Bollywood, he has not severed his ties with television. He anchored a show Mano Ya Na Mano (airing on Star One). He hosted another programme named Kyaa Kahein which was similar to Mano Ya Na Mano.

In 2008, he was featured as a narrator in an Arts Alliance production, id - Identity of the Soul. The performance toured worldwide, with tens of thousands turning out to see the event as it toured the West Bank. He also plays the police inspector in the 2008 film Slumdog Millionaire, for which he and the cast of the movie won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. About him, Danny Boyle said, "he has an instinctive way of finding the "moral center" of any character, so that in Slumdog, we believe the policeman might actually conclude that Jamal is innocent. Boyle compares him to an athlete who can execute the same move perfectly over and over. "It's beautiful to watch."^[13]

In 2009, he featured in the film Acid Factory. Khan has stated that he wants to do more and more action films in the future.^[14] He also appeared as an FBI agent in New York and as a Gujarati diamond merchant in New York, I Love You. His latest film Paan Singh Tomar in which essays the role of real-life Rajput runner Paan Singh Tomar has received extremely favourable reviews by critics. Irrfan has been highly praised.

He recently worked on the third season of the HBO series In Treatment, enacting the part of Sunil, who is finding it difficult to come to terms with his wife's death and loneliness after moving to New York, USA.

Khan said in an IGN interview that he will be playing Nels Van Adder, an adversary of Spider-Man, in The Amazing Spider-Man.^[15]

Personal life[link]

On 23 February 1995, Khan married writer Sutapa Sikdar, who is also an NSD graduate. They have two children named Babil and Ayan.^[1]

He has two brothers, Imran Khan and Salman Khan and one sister Rukhsana Begum.

Sutapa said about him, "He was always focused. I remember when he would come home, he would head straight for the bedroom, sit on the floor, and read books. The rest of us would be hanging around gossiping," says Sikdar. Even now, as reads through at least one new Hollywood script a week, he believes in doing his homework, staying up till 3 in the morning, taking notes, trying to understand ways to play his character. Sikdar recalls how he would demand as many as 11 rewrites from her when he directed episodes of Banegi Apni Baat. "Once he dragged me to a police station in Mumbai to understand procedure," she recalls.^[16] Recently he has changed his name to Irrfan citing that he does not want to identify himself with a particular community and that he considers acting as an art form above human divisions. He also said he likes the sound of the extra "r" in his name.^[17]

Awards[link]

Wins[link]

• 2003: Filmfare Best Villain Award - Haasil
• 2007: Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award - Life in a Metro
• 2008: Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture - Slumdog Millionaire
• 2011: Padma Shri^[18]

Nominations[link]

• 2007: Independent Spirit Award: Best Supporting Male - The Namesake
• 2008: Stardust Best Supporting Actor Award - The Namesake
• 2008: IIFA Award: IIFA Best Supporting Actor - Life in a Metro

Filmography[link]

Television[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Irrfan Khan at the Internet Movie Database

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Irrfan Khan

• Irrfan Khan Official Website
• TIME Magazine coverage of Irrfan Khan
• TIME Magazine photo feature