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While the Kapoor surname is synonymous with Hindi cinema, many are unaware that Anil Kapoor and producer Boney Kapoor also belong to the extended Kapoor family. Their father, veteran producer Surinder Kapoor , was the first cousin of legendary actor Prithviraj Kapoor , making the two families part of the same lineage. Long before Anil Kapoor became a star with films like 'Mr. India', 'Ram Lakhan' and 'Nayak', or Boney Kapoor emerged as one of Bollywood's leading producers, their father had his own inspiring journey in Mumbai, thanks to the support of Prithviraj Kapoor.

How Prithviraj Kapoor changed Surinder Kapoor's lifeIn a 2009 interview with Rediff, Surinder Kapoor recalled arriving in Mumbai from Peshawar in 1950 in search of employment. He revealed that it was Prithviraj Kapoor who welcomed him and helped him take his first steps into the film industry.

"I came to Mumbai in 1950. I was 27 years old then. I am from Peshawar. When I told my cousin Prithviraj Kapoor that I wanted to come to Mumbai for a job, he asked me to come over. When I came to Mumbai, I didn't think I would join films. But Prithviraj was very nice. As soon as I came to Mumbai by Frontier Mail, he took me to K Asif and got me a job as an assistant director on the sets of 'Mughal-E-Azam'," Surinder had shared.

A humble beginning in MumbaiLife in Mumbai was far from glamorous for the Kapoor family. Surinder Kapoor and his wife initially stayed in a small room above Prithviraj Kapoor's garage, a space usually occupied by the actor's driver. Later, the family shifted to a modest chawl in Tilak Nagar, where their children, Boney Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Reena Kapoor and Sanjay Kapoor, were born.

Before becoming a producer, Surinder worked as actress Geeta Bali's assistant. He eventually fulfilled a promise he had made to her by casting her in his first production, 'Jab Se Tumhe Dekha'.

"I could have made my first production, 'Jab Se Tumhe Dekha', with Madhubala. But I had told Geeta that if I ever make a film, it would be with her only. Geeta helped me get financiers," he had said.

Unfortunately, the film failed commercially, and several of his later productions also struggled at the box office.

From financial struggles to cinematic successSurinder Kapoor's professional setbacks, coupled with health issues, pushed the family into financial hardship. As Prithviraj Kapoor's immediate family continued to dominate the industry with stars like Raj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor, Surinder found himself battling debt.

The family's fortunes eventually changed through the achievements of his sons. Boney Kapoor established himself as one of Indian cinema's most successful producers, while Anil Kapoor built a remarkable acting career with hits including 'Tezaab', 'Beta', 'Pukar' and 'Welcome'. Today, Anil's success extends beyond Bollywood, making him one of the few Indian actors to enjoy international recognition, a journey that began with his father's humble start in a room above Prithviraj Kapoor's garage.