If you grew up in the 2000s, you remember Sharad Kapoor as the swaggering Bichhoo gang leader in Josh, the guy who gave Shah Rukh Khan’s Max a real rival. That’s why this week’s video hit so many people so hard.
The 50-year-old actor, with a long beard and walking with a stick, is seen saying goodbye to his four dogs as they leave for a shelter. “Heartbreaking to see him like this” has become the most common reaction under the clip. Here’s what actually happened, what he said, and where he has been.
| Actor | Sharad Kapoor |
| Known for | Josh (2000), Dastak (1996), Lakshya (2004), Jai Ho (2014) |
| Viral video | Shared by Hema Choudhary, founder of Bezubaan Public Welfare Trust |
| What happened | His four pet dogs were moved to YODA Mumbai, an animal welfare centre |
| His condition | Walking with a stick; says he broke his leg and is relocating |
| Family | Wife Koel Basu; a newborn at home |
What Happened in Sharad Kapoor’s Viral Video?
The video was shared by Hema Choudhary, founder of Mumbai-based NGO Bezubaan Public Welfare Trust and a friend of the actor. In it, Sharad says he has broken his leg and is moving out of his current house. With his condition, and a wife and newborn also at home, looking after four dogs had become too difficult.
So the family made the call to move the dogs to YODA Mumbai’s welfare centre. Sharad didn’t want to. You can hear it. He made a point of saying there was no cruelty involved, and that the dogs would miss him as much as he’d miss them.
His plan is to get them back. “After this house, when I get my new bungalow, I am going to tell YODA, ‘Please give my babies back because I cannot live without them,'” he said. And on why he’s taking it so hard: “As an actor, I am such an emotional person.”
Is Sharad Kapoor Unwell?
According to Hema Choudhary, Sharad is dealing with health issues and physical challenges that need care. Beyond the broken leg he mentions himself, no specific condition has been made public, and we’re not going to guess. What his friend did say clearly is that she hopes the industry will reach out to him with work.
Who Is Sharad Kapoor? Josh, Lakshya and More
Sharad made his film debut with Mahesh Bhatt’s Dastak in 1996, opposite Sushmita Sen in her first film. His biggest moment came four years later with Mansoor Khan’s Josh (2000), where he played Prakash, the leader of the Bichhoo gang and Max’s (Shah Rukh Khan) sworn rival in Goa. The role earned him a Filmfare nomination for Best Performance in a Negative Role.
He went on to appear in Farhan Akhtar’s war drama Lakshya (2004) and Salman Khan’s Jai Ho (2014), among other Hindi and Bengali films. He married Koel Basu, the granddaughter of former West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu, in 2008.
How Fans Are Reacting
The reaction has been overwhelmingly kind. One fan, Ridhima Pandit, wrote about how Sharad once called her on her birthday after she asked him for an autograph as a child. Many others have tagged producers and casting directors, echoing Hema Choudhary’s request to get him back on screen.
It’s a reminder of how quickly the industry can forget a face that once filled the screen. If you have a favourite Sharad Kapoor role, tell us below.
🗳️ Reader poll: pick one to vote, then see what everyone else thinks.
FAQs
Why is Sharad Kapoor trending?
A video of him getting emotional as his four pet dogs are moved to YODA Mumbai’s animal welfare centre went viral, and fans say he looks unrecognisable.
What happened to Sharad Kapoor’s leg?
In the video, he says he broke his leg. He is walking with a stick and is relocating from his current home.
Who shared Sharad Kapoor’s video?
Hema Choudhary, founder of Mumbai NGO Bezubaan Public Welfare Trust and a friend of the actor.
Which role is Sharad Kapoor best known for?
Prakash, the Bichhoo gang leader in Josh (2000) with Shah Rukh Khan, which earned him a Filmfare nomination for Best Performance in a Negative Role.
Who is Sharad Kapoor’s wife?
Koel Basu, the granddaughter of former West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu. They married in 2008.
