Veteran actor and television host Annu Kapoor marked the 33rd anniversary of the iconic musical game show “Antakshari”, expressing gratitude to viewers and everyone associated with the programme that became one of Indian television’s most enduring successes.
Sharing a celebratory video on Instagram, Kapoor was seen cutting a cake and receiving flowers as he reflected on the show’s remarkable journey. In a heartfelt message, he described Antakshari as a celebration of “music, memories, laughter and the boundless love of millions of viewers.”
“What began as a television show became a part of countless Indian homes and hearts. I remain deeply grateful to every viewer, every participant, every musician and every member of the team who made this extraordinary journey possible. Thank you for making Antakshari timeless,” he wrote.
Created by filmmaker Gajendra Singh, Antakshari aired on Zee TV from 1993 to 2007 and became one of India’s most popular musical game shows. Based on the traditional Indian singing game, the programme featured contestants competing by singing songs beginning with the last letter of the previous song.
Annu Kapoor hosted the show from 1994 to 2005, becoming the face of Antakshari for more than a decade. Over the years, he was joined by co-hosts including Rajeshwari Sachdev, Pallavi Joshi, Durga Jasraj, Renuka Shahane and Shefali Chhaya. In later seasons, Himani Kapoor, Sunil Pal and Karan Oberoi also served as hosts.
The show’s popularity extended beyond India, with episodes filmed in international destinations such as Dubai, London and New York. During its long run, Kapoor reportedly performed more than 4,000 songs, further cementing his association with the programme and making him a household name.
Even decades after its debut, Antakshari continues to evoke nostalgia among television audiences and remains one of the most memorable music-based entertainment shows in Indian television history.
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