Anupam Kher was born on 7 March 1955 in the Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh. He belongs to the family of a Kashmiri Pandit. He is an Indian actor, and Kher is regarded as one of the most versatile film actors in India. Anupam has acted in 532 Hindi films and is the recipient of two National Film Awards and eight Filmfare Awards. Kher has also served as the chairman of the Film and Television Institute of India. He has also been awarded the Padma Shri in 2004 and the Padma Bhushan in 2016 by the Government of India for his contribution to Indian cinema and arts.
Early Life and Career
Anupam Kher grew up in Shimla in a Kashmiri Pandit family. His father, Pushkar Nath Kher, was a clerk in the Forest Department of Himachal Pradesh, and his mother, Dulari Kher, is a homemaker. He got an education in Shimla DAV. He studied economics at Himachal Pradesh University Government College, Sanjauli, in Shimla. In 1978, Kher graduated from the National School of Drama in New Delhi. Dropped out midway to study Indian Theatre at Panjab University, Chandigarh. His early roles are also in plays performed at Himachal Pradesh University. Kher recalls sleeping on railway platforms during his struggling days as an actor in Mumbai.
Kher made his acting debut in the 1982 Hindi film Aagman. He has acted in other languages also. In 1984 came Saaransh, in which the 28-year-old Kher played a retired middle-class Maharashtrian man. Which people liked a lot. He has hosted TV shows like Anupam Uncle Ko Kaho Na Kuch Karo, Sawal Dus Crore Ka, Lead India, and most recently The Anupam Kher Show – Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai. Many big personalities came to this show. From Kangana Ranaut to Shah Rukh Khan. He has many comedic roles but has also played villainous roles, such as the terrorist Dr. His acclaimed role as Dang.
Received Award
He received the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance for his role in Daddy (1989). The list of his films is huge; it is difficult to enumerate them all. Because he has worked in more than 300 films. Apart from this, he has also worked in international films like David O. Russell’s Oscar-winning Silver Linings Playbook. He received a BAFTA nomination in 2018 for his supporting role in the British television sitcom The Boy with the Topcoat. He recently won the Best Actor award at the New York City International Film Festival for his short film Happy Birthday.
Personal Life
His wife, actress Kirron Kher, is a member of the Indian Parliament from Chandigarh. They were married in 1985. Her son is actor Sikandar Kher, but he is her stepson. Kher is a strong supporter of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On 20 September 2021, Kher was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Philosophy in Hindu Studies by the Hindu University of America. He has struggled a lot in his life. And people have always praised his work.
🎬 Movies (2023–2025)
- IB71 (2023) – A suspense-filled spy thriller that draws inspiration from the 1971 airline hijacking, showcasing how Indian intelligence agencies carried out a covert mission during the Indo-Pak war period.
- Ghost (2023, Kannada) – A high-octane action and heist drama that combined thrilling sequences with powerful performances, receiving a positive response from audiences and doing well commercially at the box office.
- Shiv Shastri Balboa (2023) – A Hindi comedy-drama shot in the US, starring Kher in the lead role.
- The Vaccine War (2023) – Directed by filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri, this drama highlighted India’s struggle and achievement in developing a COVID-19 vaccine, with Anupam Kher portraying a significant character that added depth to the storyline.
- Kaagaz 2 (2024) – A courtroom drama film released in March 2024.
- The Signature (2024) – Released on ZEE5 (October 2024), a drama directed by Gajendra Ahire with Kher in the lead.
- Vijay 69 (2024, Netflix) – A comedy-drama that was appreciated by audiences.
- Emergency (2025) – Directed by Kangana Ranaut, this political drama featured Anupam Kher in the powerful role of Jayaprakash Narayan, a prominent leader who strongly opposed the Emergency period in India, bringing both intensity and historical depth to the film. Released on 17 January 2025.
- The Raja Saab (2025) – Co-starring Prabhas and Sanjay Dutt, released in April 2025.
- Tanvi The Great (2025) – A heartfelt project both directed and acted in by Anupam Kher, this inspirational film was released in theatres on 18 July 2025 and tells the story of a determined young girl chasing her extraordinary dream against all odds. The story follows an autistic girl who dreams of joining the army. Featured Shubhangi Dutt, Iain Glen, Boman Irani, and Arvind Swami.
🌟 Other Important Updates
- At Cannes (2025) – During the premiere of Tanvi The Great, Anupam Kher had a memorable interaction with Hollywood legend Robert De Niro, whom he warmly described as “the greatest actor of all time”, expressing deep admiration for his craft and legacy.
- New Book – Different But No Less (2025) – Released on 31 July 2025 at a special launch event in Mumbai, this book by Anupam Kher reflects on his creative journey, the challenges behind making Tanvi The Great, and his broader thoughts on resilience and individuality. Kher shared his journey of making Tanvi The Great.
- Mahatma Gandhi Role – The Bengal Files – On Independence Day 2025, Anupam Kher shared his first look as Mahatma Gandhi, saying he used no prosthetics to keep it real.
- Satish Kaushik Scholarship – Donated ₹10 lakh (received from Maharashtra Govt’s Raj Kapoor Award) to start a scholarship in memory of his late friend Satish Kaushik.
- Personal Revelation – Anupam Kher once revealed in an interview that he and his wife Kirron Kher did not have children, and sometimes he feels a little emptiness because of it.
- Financial Loss – Tanvi The Great underperformed at the box office, reportedly causing him a ₹50 crore loss, making it difficult to even pay actors on time.
