Film Mr. india which was released in 1987, brought Anil Kapoor a superstardom. It was a block-buster movie, he appeared alongside Sridevi and it was a major turning point in his filmy career. In 1988 his film Tezaab was a big block-buster movie, he had appeared alongside Madhuri Dixit. For this he won his first Filmfare Award for Best Actor.
Before becoming a leading hero in Hindi films, he acted in South films also. In 1980 in Telugu film Vamsa Vruksham, for the first time he appeared as a leading hero, followed by this, he acted in the Kannada film Pallavi Anupallavi in 1983, he did a leading hero role. Though he had a filmy background, in the initial stage of his filmy career he struggled a lot to establish his career. As a leading hero his first Bollywood film was Woh Saath Din in 1983.
In 1985 , Subhash Ghai's film’ Meri Jung brought him wide recognition, in which he did the role of a young lawyer who fights for justice. For his good acting he was nominated for Filmfare Award.
Before Mr. India he acted in tapori roles like that in Mashaal, as a comedy tapori role in multistarred film Karma in 1986, it was the biggest hit of the year.
Mr.India was the filrst film which made him a superstar. It was a major hit film of Anil Kapoor. Later he appeared in many successful films like Tezaab, in 1988 and Ram Lakhan in 1989.
In the late 1980s and early 90s he was one among the leading actors. In the early 90s a series of hit films like Kishan Kanhaiya, Ghar Ho To Aisa had well worked at the box office. The year 1990 was supposed to be the crowning year for Anil Kapoor as the Bollywood's biggest male star, but with some flop films he saw a little set back.
In 1991 he appeared in the film Lamhe alongside Sridevi, though it was a good film it didn't receive much success at the box office. Again in 1992, his film Beta became a big block-buster. In 1994 Laadla was his another major hit of Anil.
The other hits were Judaai in 1996, Viraasat in 1997, comedy film Biwi No. 1 in 1999 and as a supporting actor in romantic film Taal in 1999, for which he also won Filmfare Award.
In 2000s he began to work in supporting roles. Anil Kapoor is a versatile actor, He gave brilliant performances in serious and as well as comedy roles, tapori roles, action hero roles, supporting roles and negative roles.
In the films like Eeshwar, 1942 Love Story, Pukar and Viraasat he portrayed entirely different roles. For Pukar in 2000, he won his first National Film Award for Best Actor.
So in 80s and early 90s he was not a medium actor, he was one among the big heros. He was one among the highest paid actors. Anil Kapoor has a successful filmy career. In his 4 decades career he acted in more than 100 films and won 2 National Film awards which includes the film ‘Gandhi, My Father' as a producer in 2007. He had also won 7 Filmfare Awards in his life. Since 2005 he also became a producer.
So in 80s and in early 90s he was a big hero and this was like his investment or foundation in the film field based on this goodwill he is now enjoying the returns and is one of the best supporting actors.
Anil Kapoor has managed to stay in the film field even for today as he is capable of doing different types of roles.