FICCI Frames 2025: Anil Kapoor reflects on his 45 year journey in Indian cinema; says, “People are going to speak and write about you. You have to block out the noise”

October 10, 2025 - 2:34 PM IST

Veteran Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor recently shared insights into his illustrious career at the FICCI Frames 2025 event. During a candid session, Kapoor discussed the fears, challenges, and reinventions that have defined his extensive journey in the Indian film industry.

FICCI Frames 2025: Anil Kapoor reflects on his 45 year journey in Indian cinema; says, “People are going to speak and write about you. You have to block out the noise”

One of Kapoor's earliest and most intimidating experiences was working with legends like Yash Chopra, Javed Akhtar, and Dilip Kumar in Mashaal. He recalled, “Yash Chopra and Javed saab narrated a script where I had scenes with Yusuf sahib and the great Dilip Kumar. I was petrified. I told them that I felt that I had almost lost a few kilos listening to the script.” Despite his initial apprehension, Kapoor embraced the opportunity, marking a significant milestone in his career.

Kapoor also reflected on his experiences in international projects like Mission Impossible and 24, acknowledging the challenges of performing in English. He admitted, “Sometimes, I was scared of being in front of the international unit for Mission Impossible and 24. English is not a language in which I actually speak. I’ve always performed in Hindi films. I’ve done Tamil and Kannada films because I like doing things which make me scared and insecure.”

He added, “There’s always going to be noise. And as a celebrity and a star, you can’t be listening to that noise. People are going to speak and write about you. You have to block out the noise. It took me more than 45 years to learn all that.”

Kapoor's ability to reinvent himself was also evident in his role in Dil Dhadakne Do (2015). He said, “I didn't want to do it. At that moment, I was going through a stage where I thought I could be stereotyped as a dad. However, I weighed the pros and cons, and I thought it's a fantastic role, the director is great, the co-stars are good so let me dive into it. I gave my best and it turned out to be good for me.” He also elaborated upon what happened after that. “Of course, what followed were a lot of films offers which were similar to Dil Dhadakne Do. I turned down all those films, and I did comedies,” he recalled, and added, “When I feel that someone is trying to trap me into an image, I try to break that image. The audience thinks they know me, but then they (see me) on the screen (doing something different), and they exclaim, ‘Oh God!’”

Throughout his career, Anil Kapoor has consistently sought roles that challenge him, whether through language barriers, genre diversity, or breaking societal stereotypes. His journey serves as an inspiring testament to adaptability and resilience in the ever-evolving landscape of Indian cinema.

Also Read : FICCI Frames 2025: Anil Kapoor reveals how he consoled low-spirited Ranbir Kapoor on Animal sets after Shamshera’s debacle: “Ek accha shot dete hai. Kal tak sab bhool jaayenge!”