Anupam Kher

Anupam Kher (born 7 March 1955) is an Indian actor, director and producer who works primarily in Hindi-language films. Considered one of the finest actors in Indian cinema,^[1] he has played a variety of characters including numerous critically acclaimed leading or supporting roles. His accolades include two National Film Awards and eight Filmfare Awards.^[2] The Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in 2004 and the Padma Bhushan in 2016 for his contribution to Indian cinema and arts.

Kher made his acting debut with Mahesh Bhatt-directed drama film Saaransh (1984), which marked Kher’s breakthrough role, earning him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of an elderly father. Since then he starred in several other supporting roles. He was highly appreciated in negative roles in films such as Karma (1986), Tezaab (1988) and ChaalBaaz (1989). For Vijay, he won the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for his performance. In 1989, Ram Lakhan garnered him wider recognition for his comic performances and won him Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role and for Daddy, he won a National Film Award – Special Jury Award and Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance. In later years, Kher was nominated for Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for films such as Dil (1990), Saudagar, Lamhe (both 1991), Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994), Chaahat (1996), Special 26 (2013) and Uunchai (2022). He was nominated in category of Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role for Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin (1991), Shola Aur Shabnam (1992), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (2000), and won for Khel (1992), Darr (1993) and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995).

Kher’s other acclaimed roles include Khosla Ka Ghosla, Buddha Mar Gaya (both 2006), A Wednesday! (2008), Baby (2015), M. S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016) and The Kashmir Files (2022); for which he nominated for Filmfare Award for Best Actor. Besides working in Hindi films, he has also appeared in international films such as the Golden Globe-nominated Bend It Like Beckham (2002).