As a struggler in Bollywood, initially Shakti Kapoor did many inconsequential roles in movies, all the while looking out for a suitable role as a leading man. He started his Bollywood journey with movie Khel Khilari Ka ( starring Darmendra & Hema Malini) in 1977. The years 1980–81 established Shakti Kapoor as an actor in Bollywood with two of his movies, where he was villain - "Qurbani" and "Rocky". In 1983, Kapoor had roles in "Himmatwala" and the Subhash Ghai directed movie "Hero". Kapoor had played villain roles in both these movies.