The son of legendary actors Shashi Kapoor and Jennifer Kendal, Karan Kapoor may have struggled in Bollywood, but found his true calling behind the lens. Read On!
Karan Kapoor, born on 18th January 1962, is an Indian photographer, actor and model. He hails from the iconic Kapoor family, which has given Bollywood some of its biggest stars. Karan’s lineage boasts of actors such as his father Shashi Kapoor, paternal uncles Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor, and maternal aunt Felicity Kendal. But Karan’s story is one of a kind.
Early days
Karan found success as a model, becoming the face of Bombay Dyeing in the 80s. His chiselled features and charming personality made him a heartthrob among the masses. But even then, Karan knew his true calling lay elsewhere. He turned towards photography and established his own photography company in the UK. He has been living in Chelsea, London with his family, which includes his wife Lorna Tarling Kapoor, his daughter Aliya, and son Zak Kapoor.
His works
After a long gap of almost 25 years, Karan returned to India in 2016 with a series of his photography exhibitions, Time & Tide. Karan has done extensive research on the Anglo-Indian communities and travelled throughout India in the 1980s to meet these communities and capture them through his lens. His articles were published in various newspapers, including the BBC, Indian Express and Hindustan Times. In his recent interview, Karan expressed his desire to do more photography projects in India, now that his children have grown up and he has more time on his hands.
Karan’s elder brother Kunal Kapoor is a leading ad-maker in India, while his younger sister Sanjana Kapoor runs the Prithvi Theatre to promote arts, culture, and drama. Though Karan may have not achieved the same level of success as his father and uncles in Bollywood, he has certainly found his niche in photography, a medium through which he can express his creativity and connect with people.
Karan Kapoor’s journey is an inspiration to all those who are struggling to find their true calling in life. It shows that it is never too late to follow your passion and that success can be found beyond the glitz and glamour of the film industry.