Anil Kapoor Reflects on Three Years of The Night Manager

Anil Kapoor shares how his personal journey shaped his iconic role in The Night Manager.

Anil Kapoor Reflects

Can a ruthless, high-society arms dealer truly share a soul with one of India’s most beloved leading men? Marking the third anniversary of the acclaimed series The Night Manager, Anil Kapoor didn’t just share a promotional still; he pulled back the curtain on a career built on resilience.

In a rare, reflective note, the actor admitted that portraying the menacing Shelly Rungta allowed him to channel the moments when he was “misunderstood or judged” during his early years in the industry.

The Power of the “Quiet Truth” 

When The Night Manager premiered in 2023, audiences were captivated by a version of Anil Kapoor they hadn’t quite seen before. This wasn’t the loud, energetic hero of the 90s. Instead, Kapoor and director Sandeep Modi worked to find a “quieter, more internal truth.”

Reflecting on a specific, pivotal scene, Kapoor noted that it resonated with his own journey of standing his ground. “People sometimes think they can step on your toes, without realizing what it has taken to get where you are,” he shared.

This sentiment—the friction between a rising star and those who doubt them—became the fuel for Rungta’s cold, calculated authority.

The Scars Behind the Suave 

Most viewers see the finished product: a polished, global espionage thriller based on the legendary John le Carré novel. However, the “Deep Dive” reveals that Kapoor’s performance was an act of emotional archaeology.

• The “Look Back” Policy: Kapoor famously dislikes revisiting the past, yet he found himself forced to do so to give Rungta weight. By revisiting the times he felt “judged,” he was able to portray a man who has built an empire to ensure he is never judged again.
• The Collaboration: Working with writers and Sandeep Modi, Kapoor ensured that his “personal and professional life” informed the character’s building blocks. This isn’t just acting; it’s a synthesis of four decades of experience surfacing in a single performance.

The Villainous Anchor 

Critics often suggest that actors must “lose themselves” to play someone as dark as an arms dealer. Kapoor’s reflection offers a different perspective:

• Don’t disconnect; dig deeper. The character of Shelly Rungta is “very different” from the real Anil Kapoor, yet the emotions behind Rungta’s power—protection, ambition, and memory—are universal.
• Silence is louder than shouting. By choosing to avoid “anger or loudness,” Kapoor made the character more terrifying. He proves that true power comes from the “real you” that surfaces after you’ve survived the trials of your career.

A Streaming Phenomenon 

Released in two parts across February and June 2023, The Night Manager quickly became a juggernaut on streaming platforms.

Supported by Aditya Roy Kapur’s intense lead performance and Sobhita Dhulipala’s magnetic presence, the series proved that Indian adaptations could meet—and sometimes exceed—global standards.

The show wasn’t just a hit because of the spy gadgets or the exotic locations. It worked because it was anchored by a man who understood exactly what it felt like to be underestimated.

Three years later, the “Night Manager” himself is still standing, proving that the best characters are the ones that allow an actor to finally speak their truth.

Key Takeaways

• Anil Kapoor used his own “misunderstood” years to fuel the character of Shelly Rungta.
• The series is a high-stakes adaptation of John le Carré’s famous espionage novel.
• The Night Manager remains a top-watched series, three years after its 2023 debut.