Overview
Anupam Kher is an Indian actor, producer, director and acting teacher associated primarily with Hindi cinema. Active since the early 1980s, he is known for his versatility in character roles spanning comedy, drama and antagonist parts. He has also appeared in international productions and has run an acting school in Mumbai.
Key facts
| Full name | Anupam Kher |
|---|---|
| Born | 7 March 1955, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India |
| Education | National School of Drama, New Delhi |
| Occupations | Actor, producer, director, teacher, author |
| Spouse | Kirron Kher |
| Acting school | Actor Prepares (founded 2005) |
| Notable honours | Padma Shri (2004), Padma Bhushan (2016) |
Background
Kher was born on 7 March 1955 in Shimla into a Kashmiri Pandit family. He completed his schooling in Shimla and went on to train at the National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi, graduating in 1978. After a period of teaching and theatre work, he moved to Mumbai to pursue a career in films.
Career
Early breakthrough
Kher's first major film release was Saaransh (1984), directed by Mahesh Bhatt, in which he played a grieving elderly Maharashtrian father despite being in his late twenties. The performance brought him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor and established him as a serious dramatic actor.
Hindi cinema
Through the late 1980s and 1990s he became one of Hindi cinema's most prolific character actors, appearing in films such as Karma (1986), Vijay (1988), Ram Lakhan (1989), Lamhe (1991), Khel (1992), Darr (1993), Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) and Mohabbatein (2000). He has worked recurrently with directors including Yash Chopra, Aditya Chopra, Karan Johar, Subhash Ghai and Mahesh Bhatt.
Comedy and later roles
His comic roles in films such as Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994), Dil Hai Tumhaara (2002) and Khosla Ka Ghosla (2006) underscored his range. He won the National Film Award – Special Jury Award for Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara (2005). He played the lead role of Dr. Manmohan Singh in The Accidental Prime Minister (2019) and a central role in The Kashmir Files (2022).
International work
Kher has appeared in international productions including Bend It Like Beckham (2002), Bride and Prejudice (2004), Lust, Caution (2007) directed by Ang Lee, Silver Linings Playbook (2012) directed by David O. Russell, and The Big Sick (2017). He has also featured in the American medical drama television series New Amsterdam.
Direction and production
He directed the Hindi film Om Jai Jagadish (2002) and produced films through his banner. In 2005 he founded the acting school Actor Prepares in Mumbai, which later expanded with associated programmes.
Television and theatre
Kher has hosted television shows such as Sawaal Dus Crore Ka and The Anupam Kher Show – Kucch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai. He has performed a long-running autobiographical solo stage play titled Kucch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai.
Public roles
Kher served as Chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in 2003 and as Chairman of the National School of Drama from October 2017 until his resignation in October 2018, citing scheduling commitments related to his international television work.
Honours
- Padma Shri – 2004
- Padma Bhushan – 2016
- Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Saaransh (1985)
- Multiple Filmfare Awards in supporting and comic categories
- National Film Award – Special Jury Award for Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara
Personal life
Anupam Kher is married to actor and politician Kirron Kher. His brother Raju Kher and nephew Sikandar Kher are also actors. He has authored memoirs including The Best Thing About You Is You and Lessons Life Taught Me, Unknowingly.
Significance
With a filmography spanning several hundred titles across Hindi, regional and international cinema, Kher is regarded as one of the most prolific character actors of Indian cinema. His teaching work through Actor Prepares and his crossover into Hollywood and global television have also contributed to his public profile.