He started his Bollywood journey with movie Khel Khilari Ka (starring Darmendra and Hema Malini) in 1977.

[9] He has been nominated for the Filmfare Award in the Best Comedian category and won once, for his performance as Nandu in David Dhawan's film, Raja Babu.

Some of his comic roles have been as Inspector Bhinde in Insaaf, Prasad in Baap Numbri Beta Dus Numbri, Crime Master Gogo in Andaz Apna Apna, Tohfa, as Batuknath in ChaalBaaz and as Goonga in Bol Radha Bol.

He has appeared in the musical comedy Aasman Se Gire Khajoor Pe Atke[12][13][14] with his sister-in-law Padmini Kolhapure.

[15] In March 2005, India TV released a video allegedly showing Shakti Kapoor asking for sexual favour from an undercover reporter posing as an aspiring actress, in return for entry into the film industry.

This incident sparked a controversy in Bollywood and Kapoor was banned by the Film & Television Producers Guild of India.

Association of Indian Motion Pictures and TV Programme Producers decided not to ban him as no allegations against him were proved.