Indian American Raj Kapoor, a Grammy Veteran, is the Executive Producer and Showrunner of the Upcoming Oscars
- The founder of Raj Kapoor Productions has worked on the show for the past seven years and most recently served as producer for the 95th Academy Awards.
As the new year rolls in, and Hollywood gears up for award show season, all eyes are on Raj Kapoor, the executive producer and showrunner of the 2024 Oscars. The Grammy Awards veteran is joined by Katy Mullan as executive producer, and Hamish Hamilton as director. This will be Kapoor and Mullan’s first time executive producing and Hamilton’s fourth time directing the Oscars. Kapoor has worked on the show for the past seven years and most recently served as producer for the 95th Oscars.
“As a Canadian boy of South Asian descent and a girl from London who grew up watching the Oscars, dreaming of being part of it, this is a ‘pinch me’ moment,’” Kapoor and Mullan said in a joint statement. “This has been an exceptional year for the movies, and it’s an absolute privilege to be leading the team celebrating the global film industry and the astounding talents that bring these cinematic stories to life. We’re dedicated to making it a remarkable celebration for all.”
Kapoor is the founder of Raj Kapoor Productions, a Los Angeles-based ‘full service creative agency and production company,’ which has created shows for big names like Carrie Underwood, Backstreet Boys, Mariah Carey, Coldplay, Shania Twain, and The Chainsmokers. He has received six Primetime Emmy nominations — four of them for outstanding variety specials (live) for The Grammys in 2019, 2021, and 2022 and Oscars in 2023. His other two Emmy nods are for outstanding variety special (pre-recorded). He won in 2022 for “Adele: One Night Only” and is a current nominee for “Norman Lear: 100 Years of Music & Laughter.”
The son of two schoolteachers from New Delhi, Kapoor grew up in Alberta, Canada, and completed his BA in education, English and drama from the University of Alberta. He started his career as a dancer and choreographer and moved to show production when he got a break on TV hits like American Idol and Dancing with the Stars.
Despite creating a niche for himself in Hollywood, Kapoor is often asked about his iconic namesake. He told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that he gets asked that a lot more now being in entertainment. “Yes, we have the same name, but we’re not related! I’m flattered to have the same name as him.”
In addition to his Emmy-nominated work, Kapoor’s credits include the ACM Awards, the Latin Grammys, The Emmy Awards, “Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration” and “The Disney Family Singalong.”