Honestly, the most impressive thing about Anil Kapoor isn't that he looks thirty years younger than his birth certificate says. It’s that he has outlasted almost everyone he started with. While other 80s icons have moved into "grandfather" roles or retired to sprawling farmhouses, Kapoor is busy fighting legal battles against AI and signing multi-film deals for spy universes.
He's basically the Benjamin Button of Bollywood. But it’s not just about the hair or the energy. There’s a strategy to it.
The Real Reason Anil Kapoor Refuses to Fade
Most people think staying relevant is about luck. It’s not. For Anil Kapoor, it’s a weird mix of being intensely disciplined and slightly insecure. He’s admitted that he’s always looking for stories that "scare" him. That’s why he did AK vs AK, where he literally played a washed-up version of himself being chased through the streets of Mumbai.
It takes a lot of guts to mock your own stardom.
You’ve probably seen the memes about his age. He’s 69 now. On January 8, 2026, he celebrated 43 years since his debut in Kannada cinema with Pallavi Anupallavi. Think about that. Most careers don't even last 43 months. He’s lived through the era of single-screen theaters, the rise of the multiplex, and now the absolute chaos of the OTT/streaming world.
He doesn't just adapt; he pivots before the curve hits.
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What Most People Get Wrong About His "Fitness"
The internet loves to joke that he drinks the blood of the young. Kinda dark, right? In reality, his routine is boringly strict. He’s a total teetotaler. No smoking, no drinking. His daughter, Sonam Kapoor, recently mentioned that the credit goes to his wife, Sunita, who keeps his lifestyle on a very tight leash.
- The Workout: He’s in the gym for two to three hours. It's not just heavy lifting. He mixes in cycling, jogging, and cardio to keep his heart rate up.
- The Diet: He famously said, "Food is not for taste, it's for strength." He eats for stamina. Basically, if it tastes amazing, he’s probably not eating much of it.
- The Sleep: He’s religious about getting 7 hours. No late-night parties if they cut into his recovery time.
It’s less about a "secret" and more about the kind of discipline that would make a monk look lazy.
Why the AI Court Case Was a Huge Deal
In late 2023 and throughout 2024, Kapoor did something that changed the game for every actor in India. He went to the Delhi High Court. People were using AI to morph his face, use his voice, and even his catchphrase "Jhakaas" for commercial gain.
He won.
The court granted him "personality rights," meaning nobody can use his likeness or voice without his permission. He was even named on the TIME100AI list alongside people like Sundar Pichai and Sam Altman. He’s literally the only Indian actor on that list. He’s not just protecting his own brand; he’s setting the legal groundwork for the next generation.
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The Business of Being Anil Kapoor
He’s a lot richer than he lets on. His net worth is estimated at around Rs 134 crore, but that’s likely a conservative figure when you look at his real estate. He doesn't just buy houses; he builds portfolios.
In August 2025, he and his son, Harsh Varrdhan, bought a new flat in Bandra West for 5 crores. But his real flex is global. He’s got an upmarket flat in Mayfair, London—one of the most expensive zip codes on the planet. He also owns a luxury property in Orange County, California, and a two-bedroom spot in Dubai’s Al Furjan.
He’s also the face of brands you wouldn't expect. Recently, he became the first-ever brand ambassador for Viva ACP, a company that makes aluminum panels for skyscrapers. It’s a bit of a "dad" brand, but it shows his reach across different sectors.
What’s Next: War 2 and the Nayak Sequel
The man is booked and busy. 2025 and 2026 are looking massive for him.
He’s officially part of the YRF Spy Universe. You’ll see him as Vikrant Kaul in War 2 alongside Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR. It’s a smart move. Being the "M" or "Nick Fury" of a massive franchise keeps you at the center of the zeitgeist without needing to do the heavy action lifting—though he still does his own stunts when he can.
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Then there’s the big one: Nayak 2.
For years, people have been asking for a sequel to the 2001 political thriller. Well, he finally acquired the rights himself. He’s planning to produce and star in it. It’s a risky move—sequels to cult classics usually fail—but if anyone can pull off a "one-day CM" return, it’s him.
How to Apply the "Anil Kapoor Method" to Your Life
You don't have to be a Bollywood star to learn from this guy. His career is basically a masterclass in longevity.
- Stop being the smartest person in the room. Kapoor constantly hangs out with younger directors and actors. He listens more than he talks.
- Invest in yourself first. Whether it's the gym or a new skill, he treats his body and mind like his primary business assets.
- Diversify. Don't rely on one paycheck. He acts, produces, invests in real estate, and does high-level brand endorsements.
- Protect your intellectual property. Whether it's your name, your designs, or your code, don't let people use it for free.
If you want to stay relevant, you have to be willing to reinvent yourself. You have to be okay with being "the new guy" even when you've been around for forty years. That’s the real secret. It’s not the hair dye. It’s the hunger.
To really follow his lead, start by auditing your own daily discipline. Are you eating for taste or for the "product" you want to become? Are you staying curious about new tech—like AI—or are you just ignoring it? The world moves fast, and as Anil Kapoor has shown, the only way to stay young is to keep up.