Annu Kapoor's 50th birthday

Birthday boy blows his 50 candles

When Annu Kapoor turns 50, there's more than enough reason for celebration. This time, it was the actor's family that went all out to make the event a special one.

While Kapoor was busy conducting a special classical music concert for Parampara, his family set up a rather interesting evening at J W Marriott.

Filmed memoir

A major highlight was the short film shot by Annu's sister Seema, and brother Nikhil. A walk down memory lane, it had vignettes from Annu's old school and college days, his teachers, messages and wishes from his friends and family.

Wife Pammi, who was responsible for bringing so many people from her husband's past together, also prepared a collage that captured Annu's career through the years.

Annu and friends pop the champagne

Making the day even more special was Kamal Shabnam Kapoor, Annu's mother, who has turned author. Kamal has written a book of ghazals, Bandh Darwaze Par Dastak that was released by music composer Anandji and Chitra.

Done it all

At the party, the actor was visibly moved by the effort. About the short film, he says, "In just half an hour, I have been able to see and relive my childhood. I come from a small village, and the experience of growing up there is just amazing. There are not many actors here who can claim to have seen rural India. I have seen my country and know it well. From a bullock cart to a jet plane, I have been there and done that."

Friends flew in

The fact that so many of his friends flew in from the US just to be a part of the celebrations, touched the actor. "These people have come by the dozen, and I am very happy to see them, even if it was for a short while. Their gifts too really touched my heart," says an emotionally moved Annu. "There are some people who express themselves and their emotions; I am just one of them."

Fifty and done?

Ask Annu Kapoor if he feels like 50, and he quips, "A four-year-old boy could also be called a four-year-old man, so I think I can best be described as a 50-year-old child!" Turning 50, according to him is just turning a year older.

"I hope to experience a lot more, I hope to stop committing mistakes and learn from previous ones. I am looking forward to a year of more meaningful work. Like everybody, I too expect life to treat me a little better this year."