Anil Kapoor reveals he gatecrashed weddings in Chembur for Gold Spot and Mangola
Synopsis
Long before the red carpets, Anil Kapoor was sneaking into strangers' weddings in Chembur just for free Gold Spot and Mangola — downing 11 to 12 bottles a visit. The actor's playful confession ahead of his new Star Plus show is a rare, unfiltered look at the Bollywood legend's scrappy Mumbai childhood.
Key Takeaways
Anil Kapoor revealed he gatecrashed weddings in Tilak Nagar, Chembur as a child for free food and cold drinks.
His targets were retro drinks Gold Spot and Mangola — he and his friends drank 11 to 12 bottles per visit.
Their entry tactic: walk in confidently, greet guests with 'Namaste', and head straight to the counter.
Kapoor joked the classic saying 'Begaani shaadi mein Abdullah deewana' should be renamed after him.
The anecdote was shared ahead of the premiere of India Ke Top 1% – The Anil Kapoor Show on 19 September on Star Plus and JioHotstar .
Veteran Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor has revealed a charming slice of childhood mischief — gatecrashing weddings in Chembur's Tilak Nagar neighbourhood with friends, motivated purely by the lure of free cold drinks. The candid confession came ahead of the premiere of his new show, India Ke Top 1% – The Anil Kapoor Show, set to air on 19 September on Star Plus and JioHotstar.
The Tilak Nagar Wedding Circuit
Kapoor, who grew up in Tilak Nagar, Chembur, recalled that the locality was a hub of social celebrations, with weddings — big and small — happening regularly. For him and his group of friends, those events presented an irresistible, cost-free opportunity. Their strategy was disarmingly simple: walk in, greet guests warmly, and head straight for the drinks counter.
'Hum Chembur mein Tilak Nagar mein rehte the. Wahaan chhoti-badi bahut shaadiyaan hoti thi,' Kapoor said, recalling the neighbourhood's lively social calendar.
Gold Spot, Mangola and No Shame
The primary motivation, Kapoor confessed, was a pair of retro cold-drink favourites — Gold Spot and Mangola, both iconic Indian fizzy drinks of that era. He recalled that he and his friends would down as many as 11 to 12 bottles in a single visit. 'Main wahaan sirf Gold Spot aur Mangola peene jaata tha. Hum Namaste, namaste, kaise ho? karte hue seedhe counter par pahunch jaate. Phir 11-12 bottles Gold Spot aur Mangola pee jaate the,' he said.
Reflecting on the universal appeal of freebies, he added: 'Free kisko pasand nahi hai? Free mein kuch bhi mile, gift mile ya khaana mile, insaan kahin bhi chala jaata hai.'
A Playful Spin on a Classic Proverb
Kapoor wrapped up the anecdote with a self-deprecating joke, offering a personalised spin on the popular Hindi proverb 'Begaani shaadi mein Abdullah deewana' — which loosely describes someone who gets disproportionately excited about another person's celebration. 'Aapne kahawat suni hogi, Begaani shaadi mein Abdullah deewana. Actually, yeh hona chahiye, Begaani shaadi mein Anil Kapoor deewana!' he quipped.
About India Ke Top 1%
The revelation was part of Kapoor's promotional run for India Ke Top 1%, a new entertainment format on Star Plus and JioHotstar in which he takes centre stage as host. The show premieres on 19 September. The nostalgia-laced anecdote offers a rare, unfiltered glimpse into the star's pre-fame years in Mumbai — well before he became one of Bollywood's most enduring leading men.
Point of View
Warm, and calibrated for mass relatability. As a promotional tool for a new show, it works because it humanises a star whose longevity can feel larger-than-life. It also invokes deep nostalgia for Gold Spot and Mangola, two discontinued drinks that carry enormous cultural memory for anyone who grew up in India in the 1970s and 80s. Whether intentional or not, it is a layered piece of storytelling that connects a 60-something star to millennial and Gen-X audiences who share that same childhood reference point.
NationPress
18 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Anil Kapoor gatecrash weddings as a child?
Anil Kapoor has said he gatecrashed weddings in Chembur's Tilak Nagar primarily to drink free Gold Spot and Mangola cold drinks. He and his friends would greet guests warmly and head straight to the drinks counter, consuming up to 11 to 12 bottles per visit.
What is India Ke Top 1% – The Anil Kapoor Show?
India Ke Top 1% is a new entertainment show hosted by Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor, premiering on 19 September on Star Plus and JioHotstar.
What are Gold Spot and Mangola?
Gold Spot and Mangola were popular Indian carbonated soft drinks widely consumed from the 1970s to the early 1990s before being discontinued. They hold strong nostalgic value for many Indians who grew up in that era.
Where did Anil Kapoor grow up in Mumbai?
Anil Kapoor grew up in Tilak Nagar in the Chembur area of Mumbai, a neighbourhood he recalls as lively with frequent weddings that became the backdrop for his childhood adventures.
What Hindi proverb did Anil Kapoor reference?
Kapoor referenced the popular Hindi saying 'Begaani shaadi mein Abdullah deewana', which describes someone overly enthusiastic about another person's celebration. He jokingly suggested it should be renamed 'Begaani shaadi mein Anil Kapoor deewana' given his gatecrashing history.
