He had a distinct international presence. He was also known internationally for starring in British and American films, notably Merchant Ivory productions run by Ismail Merchant and James Ivory, such as "The Householder" (1963), "Shakespeare Wallah" (1965) (opposite his sister-in-law Felicity Kendal), "Bombay Talkie" (1970) and "Heat and Dust" (1982), in which he co-starred with his wife Jennifer Kendal, "The Deceivers" (1988) and "Side Streets" (1998). He also starred in other British and American films, such as "Pretty Polly" ("A Matter Of Innocence") (1967) opposite Hayley Mills," Siddhartha" (1972), "Sammy and Rosie Get Laid" (1987) and "Muhafiz" (1994). James Ivory directed Kapoor in the first Merchant Ivory production The Householder, then in Shakespeare-Wallah, Bombay Talkie and Heat and Dust, while Ismail Merchant directed him in "In Custody" (1993). He was the first Indian actor to work extensively in Hollywood films and British films.