Omkar Kapoor’s journey in Bollywood is a rare tale of rediscovery. The boy who stole hearts in the 1983 classic Masoom and later charmed audiences in Judwaa vanished from the screen for years, only to make a striking comeback as the loud, lovable Kartik in Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2. Today, the actor looks back with gratitude, especially toward one man who believed in him when he was just a shy child artiste – Anil Kapoor.

A Little Boy and a Big Encouragement

During the shooting of Masoom, nine-year-old Omkar was nervous. Playing one of the children opposite Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi was intimidating. It was Anil Kapoor, then a rising star himself, who noticed the boy’s hesitation. “Anil sir pulled me aside one day and said, ‘Beta, you have something special. Never be scared of the camera. It’s your friend,’” Omkar recalls with a smile. Those simple words stuck with him through the ups and downs of a career that began at age five.

That early vote of confidence became Omkar’s anchor. Even when he stepped away from acting to complete his education and explore life beyond the arc lights, Anil Kapoor’s encouragement quietly pushed him to trust his instincts.

The Child Star Phase: Masoom, Judwaa and Beyond

Omkar’s childhood reel is nothing short of iconic. From the innocent kid in Masoom (1983) to the mischievous younger version of Salman Khan’s character in Judwaa (1997), he worked with legends – Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, David Dhawan, and Karisma Kapoor. Yet, like many child actors, the transition to adult roles proved tricky. Offers dried up, and Omkar consciously chose to step back, finish college, and figure out who he wanted to be.

The Comeback That Surprised Everyone

In 2015, Luv Ranjan cast him as Kartik in Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2 – the loud, beer-chugging friend who delivered some of the film’s funniest lines. Overnight, Omkar Kapoor was trending again. The role showcased a completely different side: confident, comic, and unapologetically Haryanvi. “People still come up to me and say ‘Abey saale!’” he laughs, referring to his character’s famous dialogue.

The film also gifted him a lifelong friend in co-star Kartik Aaryan. “We were struggling actors sharing one room during auditions. Today we’re both in a different space, but the bond is the same,” Omkar says warmly.

Full Circle with Anil Kapoor

Years after Masoom, when Omkar finally met Anil Kapoor again at an award function, the senior actor instantly recognised him. “Arre Omkar! You’ve grown up!” Anil exclaimed, and the two shared a long chat. For Omkar, it felt like closure and validation at once. The man whose words built his childhood confidence was proud of the man he had become.

Still Hungry, Still Passionate

From supporting roles in films like Jugni and web series to producing music videos, Omkar refuses to be boxed in. “I’m greedy for good work,” he admits. “Whether it’s comedy, drama, or something experimental – if the script excites me, I’m in.”

More than three decades after his first film, Omkar Kapoor remains the same wide-eyed boy who fell in love with cinema – only now, he walks onto sets with the quiet confidence planted by a kind co-star many years ago. And that, perhaps, is the most heartwarming part of his story.

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