Anupam Kher

Anupam Kher is a renowned Indian actor who has worked extensively in the Indian film industry, as well as in international films and television shows. He is known for his versatile acting skills and has portrayed a wide range of characters throughout his career.

Kher studied at Simla in D.A.V. School and graduated with a degree in Economics from Simla's Himachal Pradesh University. He studied at the Government College, Sanjauli. He left the university mid-way and instead studied the Indian theatre in Chandigarh at Panjab University.

Kher was a part of several plays at Himachal Pradesh University. He took drama classes in Lucknow at Raj Bisaria's Bharatendu Natya Akadem for a small role inSheeshay Ka Ghar (1984),his debut film.

In 1984, he landed his first role in Bollywood with the filmSaaransh (1984).He played the role of a 65-year-old teacher in this film. He went on to work in projects likeTezaab (1988)andVijay (1988),for which he was awarded the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Kher received public recognition for his performances in movies likeRam Lakhan (1989)and his first Filmfare Award under the Best Performer in a Comic Role category. He also won a Filmfare Critics Award and a National Film Award - Special Mention for his role inDaddy (1989).

In 1990, Kher starred inDil (1990)and received another Filmfare Best Supporting Actor nomination. He was critically acclaimed for his performance inLamhe (1991).He won a Filmfare Award as the Best Comedian for his role in the movie.

Kher later appeared inBeta (1992)alongsideMadhuri DixitandAnil Kapoor.In the same year, his role inKhel (1992)earned him another Filmfare Award as the Best Comedian.

Kher went on to star in massive hits likeDarr (1993),which got him a Filmfare award as the Best Comedian. In 1994, he appeared in another blockbuster,Laadla (1994).

One of Kher's most successful moviesHum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994),earned him another nomination as the Best Supporting Actor at Filmfare and was the second movie for which he won the National Film Award, this time under the category Best Popular Film.

Kher's performance inDilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)got him his fifth Filmfare Best Comedian Award and was highly applauded and loved by the audience.

After a gap of almost three years, he made his comeback in yet another blockbusterKuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998),for which he received the Best Comedian nomination at Filmfare.

Kher also tried his skills in directing withOm Jai Jagadish (2002)and was also the producer. In 2007, Kher collaborated with Satish Kaushik and started Karol Bagh Productions, a film production company. They produced their first movieTeree Sang: A Kidult Love Story (2009),in 2009.

He hosted TV shows likeSay Na Something to Anupam Uncle (2000)andThe Anupam Kher Show (2014).

Kher has also appeared in international films likeBend It Like Beckham (2002)andBride & Prejudice (2004).

Kher received the Best Actor Award at the Karachi International Film Festival for his performance inMaine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara (2005),which was also produced by him.

His other foreign films wereThe Mistress of Spices (2005),Lust,Lust, Caution (2007),the TV showER (1994),Oscar-winningSilver Linings Playbook (2012),andHotel Mumbai (2018).

He also received a nomination for BAFTA for his supporting role in the British sitcomThe Boy with the Topknot (2017).

In 2019, Kher took the role of Manmohan Singh, India's former Indian Prime minister inThe Accidental Prime Minister (2019).In 2022, he appeared in the controversial filmThe Kashmir Files (2022),which was a blockbuster.

Kher was awarded the best actor for his role in a short film titledHappy Birthday (2021)at the New York City International Film Festival. He is a recipient of two National Film Awards, eight Filmfare Awards, two International Indian Film Academy Awards, two Screen Awards India, and five other state/viewer awards.

His handprint was preserved for posterity at Bandra Bandstand in Mumbai as he was honoured by 'Walk of the Stars'. The US state of Texas presented him with the "Honoured Guest" award for his contribution to cinema and art.

He has also been honoured with Civilian Awards like the Padma Shri in 2004 and the Padma Bhushan in 2016 by the Indian Government for his contribution to Indian cinema and arts.

Anupam Kher tied the knot withKirron Kher,a fellow Indian actress, in 1985. Kher became a stepfather to Kirron's son, actorSikandar Kher.He was appointed as the goodwill ambassador of the Pratham Education Foundation in 2010, which works to improve the education of children in India. In 2021, Kher received an honorary doctorate degree in Philosophy of Hindu Studies from the Hindu University of America.