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Joining the MCU Universe in such blockbusters as Ms. Marvel and soon-to-be-released The Marvels, the versatile Indian actor Mohan Kapur has officially expanded his global presence in the film industry, but his road to international recognition was not traveled overnight. The actor put in the time and labor necessary, beginning his journey on the Indian small screen and major Bollywood pictures long before venturing into Hollywood productions.
Born in Mumbai, India, in 1965, Kapur’s acting journey began in his native country, where his rise to fame started during the 1990s as the first TV personality in broadcast television in South Asia (India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka) with the celebrity-based game show Snakes & Ladders which aired weekly for 2 years and took on Pat Sajak’s gig in the Indian version of Wheel of Fortune for Sony Television. Kapur was a television staple in the majority of South Asian households for over 4 years. Kapur went on to star in studio films with Bollywood Heavyweights: Salman Khan in Bodyguard and Shah Rukh Khan in Happy New Year. In 2020, Kapur starred in Disney+Hotstar’s first major Bollywood film produced by Fox STAR Studios, Sadak 2, opposite Alia Bhatt and Sanjay Dutt and the streamer’s hit remake of the Israeli series Hostages, which earned Kapur a Gold Award nomination. He has since starred in the network acclaimed series The Crime Next Door, this summer hit School of Lies, and as one of the lead antagonists in Karma Calling, the Indian remake of ABC’s Revenge, which starred Emily VanCamp.
In theaters now, Kapur stars as the real-life Indian government scientist Dr. Raman Gangakhedkar from the ICMR in the medical outbreak thriller based on true events: The Vaccine War. The film’s director, Vivek Agnihotri, praised Kapur on X (formerly Twitter) for delivering “one of the most amazing performances of Indian cinema.” The film explores the struggles of Indian bio-scientists who made the country’s indigenous vaccine, COVAXIN, during the COVID-19 pandemic and is one of the country’s most anticipated films of 2023, being recently recognized by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
Moving out of the confines of Bollywood, Kapur found his international breakout role as Yusuf Khan from the Marvel comics and in the top-rated Disney series Ms. Marvel. The show introduces Marvel’s first high school superhero, following 16-year-old fangirl of The Avengers, Kamala Khan, as she gains powers amid a relatable teenage fight to fit in with her peers. Kapur stars as Ms. Marvel’s father and delivers a performance that genuinely resonates with audiences worldwide. Furthermore, he was a recipient of the 2022 Critics’ Choice Award for Best Ensemble for Ms. Marvel in celebration of Asian-Pacific Cinema and television.
Kapur reprises his role as Yusuf Khan in the upcoming film The Marvels. As the cliffhanger of Season 1 of Ms. Marvel (on Disney+) suggests, Captain Marvel finds herself in the home of the Khans, and this is how their world’s first crossover. The Marvels not only brings back Brie Larson as Carol Danvers but Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, and will be released on IMAX on November 10. Shooting the film on location in London, Kapur found Larson and Jackson “easy and fun to be with. They each play diametrically opposite personality types, but their command over their craft is admirable. It was also a real pleasure to work with the Khan family [Iman Vellani, Zenobia Shroff, and Saagar Shaikh again. We have so much fun, just like we are a real family!” he says. Taking noticeable strides across both the Indian and international film landscapes, Kapur has proven that he has the ability to embrace a wide range of characters, and his popularity is only growing.
Several factors can be attributed to Kapur’s ability to straddle both the Indian and global entertainment worlds, including his natural talent, versatility, cultural sensitivity, and work ethic. As a valuable asset, the actor’s versatility and talent allow him to adapt to multiple roles and genres effortlessly. Combined with his understanding of diverse cultures and ability to navigate the nuances of multiple storytelling styles, he allows for seamless integration into international projects. Through dedication to his craft and the ever-increasing demand for diversity in the entertainment industry, audiences can eagerly anticipate many more future projects and unforgettable characters from Kapur for years to come.
