Anupam Kher

About

Anupam Kher, a prominent Indian film actor, has been a prominent name in the Indian entertainment industry for more than three decades. As an actor, he has made a significant contribution to Indian cinema and theatre and also made his mark in Hollywood. With a versatile acting talent, he has played multiple unforgettable roles in Bollywood films, and his work has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades. Apart from his acting career, Anupam Kher has also been committed to philanthropic work and social causes.

In this article, we will take a closer look at Anupam Kher’s early life, rise to stardom, versatile acting career, contributions to Indian cinema and theatre, his work in Hollywood, philanthropic work, personal life, and upcoming projects.

1. Early Life and Career Beginnings of Anupam Kher

Childhood and Education

Anupam Kher was born on March 7, 1955, in a small town called Shimla in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. His father Pushkarnath Kher was a clerk in the Ministry of Forests, and his mother Dulari Kher was a housewife. Anupam Kher completed his schooling from D.A.V. School in Shimla and went on to study theater at the National School of Drama (NSD) in Delhi.

Entry into Acting

Anupam Kher began his acting career in 1982 with the Hindi film Aagman. He went on to act in several Bollywood films like Hum Apke Hain Koun, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, and Kal Ho Na Ho. Apart from Bollywood, Anupam Kher has also acted in international films like Bend It Like Beckham, The Mistress of Spices, Lust, Caution, and Silver Linings Playbook.

2. Rise to Fame: Major Breakthrough Roles

Saaransh – The Turning Point

Anupam Kher’s breakthrough role came in 1984 with Mahesh Bhatt’s Saaransh, where he played the role of an elderly man who loses his son in a mugging incident. His performance in the film was highly acclaimed and earned him his first Filmfare Award for Best Actor.

Other Notable Roles in Indian Cinema

Anupam Kher has had several notable roles in Indian cinema, including his performance in the film Daddy, where he played a middle-aged man who adopts a young girl, and his portrayal of the character Dr. Dang in the film Karma. He has also acted in several critically acclaimed films like Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara, A Wednesday, Special 26, and Baby.

3. Anupam Kher’s Versatility as an Actor: Range of Roles

Comic Role

Anupam Kher is known for his versatility as an actor and has played a range of roles in his career. He has also shown his comedic chops in films like Judwaa, Hulchul, and Desi Boyz, where he played the role of a comical villain.

Villainous Role

Apart from his comic roles, Anupam Kher has also played the role of a villain in films like Tezaab, Hum, and Dushmani: A Violent Love Story. His portrayal of negative characters has been highly praised by critics and audiences alike.

Character Role

Anupam Kher has also played several character roles in his career, including his performances in the films Dil, Lamhe, and Kucch To Hai. His roles have been varied and have showcased his acting range.

4. Anupam Kher’s Contributions to Indian Cinema and Theatre

Production House

Apart from his acting career, Anupam Kher has also established his own production house called The Actor Prepares Production. The production house has produced films like Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara and Bariwali.

Acting School

Anupam Kher is also the founder of the Anupam Kher’s Actor Prepares – The School for Actors, which is an acting school that provides training to aspiring actors. The school has branches in Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Ahmedabad.

Theatre Career

Before his entry into films, Anupam Kher was actively involved in theater and has acted in several plays. He has also directed plays like I am not Bajirao and Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai. Anupam Kher has also acted in international plays like the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Twelfth Night.

5. Anupam Kher’s Work in Hollywood: Roles and Achievements

International Projects

Anupam Kher’s talent and versatility as an actor have taken him beyond Bollywood to Hollywood. He has worked in numerous international projects, including British films like “”Bend It Like Beckham,”” “”The Mistress of Spices,”” and “”The Boy with the Topknot.”” He has also appeared in American TV shows like “”Sense8,”” “”New Amsterdam,”” and “”The Blacklist.”” In the Academy Award-winning movie “”Silver Linings Playbook,”” Kher played the role of Dr. Patel, which earned him critical acclaim.

Recognition and Awards

Anupam Kher’s performances in Hollywood have been widely appreciated, and he has received recognition for his work. He was nominated for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for “”Silver Linings Playbook.”” He also won the Best Supporting Actor award at the New York Indian Film Festival for his performance in “”The Big Sick.”” In 2018, Kher was honored with the “”Excellence in Cinema”” award at the Indo-American Arts Council Film Festival in New York.

6. Accomplishments Beyond Acting: Anupam Kher’s Philanthropic Work and Honors

Charity Work and Social Causes

Anupam Kher is not only an accomplished actor but also a philanthropist who believes in giving back to society. He founded The Anupam Kher Foundation, which aims to help underprivileged children and students by providing them with education, healthcare, and nutrition. He is associated with several NGOs and supports various social causes such as HIV/AIDS awareness, child rights, and education.

Honors and Awards

Anupam Kher’s contributions to the field of entertainment and his social work have earned him many honors and awards. In 2004, he was honored with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, for his outstanding work in the field of cinema. In 2016, he received the Outstanding Achievement in Cinema award at the IIFA Awards. Kher has also been honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Kalakar Awards and the National Film Award for Best Actor.

7. Anupam Kher’s Personal Life: Family, Relationships and Interests

Family and Relationships

Anupam Kher was born on March 7, 1955, in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. He married actress Kirron Kher in 1985, and they have a son, Sikander Kher, who is also an actor. Kher is known for his close-knit family and often shares pictures and updates about his loved ones on social media.

Interests and Hobbies

Apart from acting and philanthropy, Anupam Kher has a keen interest in writing, and he has authored several books, including his autobiography, “”The Best Thing About You Is You.”” Kher is also a motivational speaker who has delivered talks and conducted workshops on positivity and self-motivation. He is a fitness enthusiast who follows a healthy lifestyle and practices yoga regularly.

8. Future Projects and Upcoming Ventures of Anupam Kher

Upcoming Films and Web Series

Anupam Kher has several films and web series lined up for release in the coming months. He will be seen in the upcoming film “”The Last Show,”” which is directed by Vivek Agnihotri. He will also feature in the Netflix series “”The One.”” Other projects in the pipeline include the films “”Happy Anniversary”” and “”The Kashmir Files.””

Other Ventures and Projects

Apart from acting, Anupam Kher also has other projects and ventures in the works. He owns a production company named Actor Prepares Production and has produced several successful plays and TV shows. Kher is also associated with the “”Acting School”” named Actor Prepares, which he founded in 2005 to mentor aspiring actors.Anupam Kher’s journey from humble beginnings to being one of the most respected actors in the Indian film industry has been an inspiration to many. His versatile acting talent, philanthropic work, and achievements in Indian and international cinema have earned him immense respect and recognition. As he continues to work on upcoming projects in the film industry, we can’t wait to see what he has in store for us in the future. Anupam Kher’s legacy in the Indian film industry will undoubtedly continue, and his work and contributions will always be remembered.

FAQs

1. What are some of Anupam Kher’s most unforgettable roles?

Anupam Kher has played numerous unforgettable roles in Indian cinema. Some of his notable roles include Dr. Dang in the film “”Karma,”” and the character of Shukla in the film “”Ram Lakhan.”” He is also known for his portrayal of a retired middle-class man in “”Saaransh,”” which was his breakthrough role.

2. What are Anupam Kher’s notable achievements and awards?

Anupam Kher has won several awards and accolades for his contributions to the Indian film industry. He has received two National Film Awards, eight Filmfare Awards, and a BAFTA nomination for his work in the film “”The Boy with the Topknot.”” In 2004, he was honored with the Padma Shri, and in 2016, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award in India.

3. What are some of Anupam Kher’s upcoming projects?

Anupam Kher has several upcoming projects in the Indian film industry. He will be seen in the film “”The Last Show”” alongside Satish Kaushik. He is also set to star in the film “”The Kashmir Files”” and “”Mungilal Rocks.”” Apart from these, he has several other projects in the pipeline.

4. What is Anupam Kher’s contribution to Indian theatre?

Anupam Kher has been associated with Indian theatre for several years. In 1995, he started his theatre company, “”Actor Prepares,”” which is a premier acting school in Mumbai. He has also been involved with theatre productions and has acted in several plays, including “”Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai,”” which is based on his life story.”

Last Updated: 2nd April 2023