Happy Birthday Pankaj Kapur: Six power-packed performances of the actor that left us gobsmacked

Pankaj Kapur is an artist beyond time. He is such a powerhouse of talent! Kapur has given mind-blowing and impeccable performances on celluloid. As the thespian turns 66 today, we bring you some of his most iconic roles.

•MusaddiLal: Office Office was conceptual fiction, based on the working of government offices, a satirical comedy with veteran actor Pankaj Kapoor playing the lead, ‘Mussadilal’, And Pankaj Kapur did not just add flesh and blood to the character but with his poker face sarcasm and wit made us all feel for the character.

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•Jahangir: Pankaj Kapur essayed the role of underworld biggie in Vishal Bharadwaj’s Macbeth adaptation, ‘Maqbool’. The attitude, body language and his eyes which spoke volumes so much so that dialogues were not required to convey the emotion. The impeccable performance he gave will be remembered for years. He won the National award for best-supporting actor for the role.

•Nandkishore: Vishal Bharadwaj’s The Blue Umbrella is based on a Ruskin Bond short story. Kapur played the role of a shopkeeper Nandkishore, who falls in love with a blue umbrella owned by a little girl and wants to possess it. Pankaj delivered a powerful performance and was praised globally.

•Dharm: Very few of us might have heard of this film but this film is a must-watch. This film is equipped with a great story and spellbinding performance from the lead, Pankaj Kapur. Pankaj played the character of an orthodox, reserved and learned Brahmin priest, Pandit Chaturvedi. Kapur was absolutely flawless with his performance and it just hits you hard the way he grabbed his character made you feel for him.

•Tarneja: ‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro’ is one film which will always be relevant. Pankaj played the character of a corrupt builder/businessman, Tarneja who is a small part of the corrupt system. It’s commendable to see someone perform so effortlessly. The shrewdness, cunningness of Tarneja was projected nonchalantly by Kapur’s understated craft.

•Ek doctor ki Maut: A critically acclaimed Film in which the veteran actor plays the lead role of Dr Deepankar Roy. The inner agony, frustration, impatience and intellect couldn’t have been portrayed in a better way by any other actor other than Kapur. Kapur received the Special Jury Award at 38th National Film Festival for the role.

Pankaj Kapur time and again has given some brilliant performances. The control he has over his craft just speaks a lot of him. We can never get enough of this veteran and his powerful performances.