Anil Kapoor is not just one of the most popular veteran actors in B-town; he is also a noted film personality across the country. From his illustrious
career in the Hindi film industry to his Hollywood stints and beyond, he has made a mark outside Bollywood as well. With Sandeep Reddy Vanga and Ranbir Kapoor’s 2024 actioner Animal, he returned to Telugu cinema. Now, he is all set to be part of Jr NTR and Prashant Neel’s much-anticipated project, tentatively titled Dragon. However, not many know that the veteran actor began his acting career with a Telugu film in 1980. Ahead of Dragon, here’s all you need to know. Anil Kapoor Joins Dragon On Thursday, the veteran actor confirmed that he is joining Dragon, helmed by Neel of KGF and Salaar fame. Titled Dragon, the film also stars Rukmini Vasanth and Tovino Thomas. While Rukmini recently received nationwide fame with Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1, Thomas is best known for his Malayalam films. Anil Kapoor's Telugu Debut Not many people know that Anil made his debut as a lead in 1980 with the Telugu film Vamsha Vruksham. The film also starred JV Somayajulu, Kanta Rao and Mukkamala. With this, he got the opportunity to work with legendary filmmaker Bapu. At the pre-release event of Animal, he fondly recalled his stint and called it a "full-circle moment." "Today what I am is all because of my Telugu film," he had said. Later, in an interview with Hyderabad Times, the actor shared that his film journey began simultaneously in Hyderabad and Mumbai, with the late Bapu playing a pivotal role in shaping his career. For those unversed, their association started with Hum Paanch, a remake of Bapu’s Mana Voori Pandavulu. At that time, Anil was working in the casting and production department of the film, which was produced by his father and brother, Boney Kapoor. It was Bapu who saw his potential as an actor and cast him in Vamsa Vruksham (1980). This marked his first lead role. "Animal (which was dubbed in Telugu), is like my second Telugu film, and I feel a sense of coming full circle. Bapu saab helped me pave my way into Bollywood. He directed Woh 7 Din, my inaugural Hindi film as a hero, which was a remake of Radha Kalyanam (also helmed by Bapu). Working with him felt like being in an institution or a school. I learnt a lot under his guidance, and it was through this mentorship that I truly discovered myself as an actor," he told the portal during the promotions of Animal. Speaking of Animal, a sequel to Ranbir Kapoor and Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s blockbuster is currently in the works. Titled Animal Park, it will see Anil reprise his role as Balbir Singh. The film will also mark the return of Rashmika Mandanna, Triptii Dimri, Saurabh Sachdeva, and others. It has yet to go on floors, and an official release date is awaited.
