Anupam Kher (born 7 March 1955) is an Indian actor who has appeared in nearly 450 films and 100 plays. Though mainly appearing in Bollywood (Hindi) films, he has had roles in some films from other nations as well most notably the 2013 Oscar nominated Silver Linings Playbook, directed by David O. Russell. He has held the post of Chairman of the Censor Board and National School of Drama in India. In 2004, he was honoured with the Padma Shri by the Government of India for his contribution to Indian cinema.
Early life
Anupam Kher was born and raised in Shimla, into a Kashmiri Pandit family.He was educated at D.A.V. School in Agra. He is an alumnus and a former chairperson of the National School of Drama. Some of his early acting was in plays performed at the Himachal Pradesh University.
Career
Kher made his acting debut in the 1982 Hindi movie Aagman. Then in 1984 came Saaransh, where 28-year old Kher played a retired middle class Maharashtrian man who has lost his son. He hosted TV shows such as Say Na Something To Anupam Uncle, Sawaal Dus Crore Ka and the recent Lead India. He has had many comic roles but has also played the villain such as his acclaimed role as terrorist Dr. Dang in Karma (1986). For his role in Daddy (1989) he received the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance. Kher has won the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role five times, more than any other actor.
He has starred alongside Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan many times in films such as Darr (1993), Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995), Chaahat (1996), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Mohabbatein (2000) and Veer-Zaara (2004).
He ventured into directing with Om Jai Jagadish (2002) and has also been a producer. He produced and starred in the film Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara (2005). He received the Best Actor Award from the Karachi International Film Festival for his performance in the film.
Kher is known internationally for Bend It Like Beckham (2002), Bride and Prejudice (2004), his appearance on the hit TV show ER, and more recently in The Mistress of Spices (2006) and Lust, Caution (2007). In 2012 he co-starred in the Academy Award-nominated Silver Linings Playbook.
Kher has written and starred in a play about his own life called Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai, which is directed by Feroz Abbas Khan.
Until recently he served as chairman of the Indian Film Censor Board. He is an alumnus of National School of Drama (1978 batch) and was its director between 2001 and 2004.
In 2007, Anupam Kher, with his batchmate of NSD, Satish Kaushik, started a film production company, Karol Bagh Productions. Their first film, Tere Sang, is being directed by Satish Kaushik.
He has recently been appointed the goodwill ambassador of the Pratham Education Foundation, which strives to improve children's education in India.
In 2011, he starred alongside Mohanlal and Jayaprada in the Malayalam language romantic drama Pranayam. Kher has chosen Pranayam as one of the seven best films of his career.
He also starred in a number of Marathi films such as 'Thoda Tuza...Thoda Maza', 'Kashala Udyachi Baat' and Punjabi films such as Yaaraan naal bahaaraan.
He is also widely regarded as an intellectual talk show participant.
In 2009, Kher has given his Hindi voice to Carl Fredricksen in the Disney-Pixar 3D animated film Up, which also bounds to not only be his first dubbing role, but to be his very first voice role in his career, overall.
Anupam Kher is currently shooting for "The Dirty Politics". The movie also features Om Puri and Jackie Shroff.
Personal life
Anupam Kher is married to fellow actress Kirron Kher (since 1985). Her son, his stepson, is actor Sikandar Kher. His brother Raju Kher is also an actor, who appeared in Anupam's directorial debut Om Jai Jagadish. A Kashmiri by birth, Anupam Kher has been working for the displaced Kashmiri Pandits by bringing to global attention the issues concerning the community.
Awards and recognition
Civilian award
2004: Padma Shri by the Government of India for his contribution to Indian cinema
National Film Awards
1989: National Film Award - Special Jury Award: Daddy
2005: National Film Award - Special Jury Award: Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara
Filmfare Awards
Wins
1984: Best Actor, Saaransh
1988: Best Supporting Actor, Vijay
1989: Best Comedian, Ram Lakhan
1990: Critics Award for Best Performance, Daddy
1991: Best Comedian, Lamhe
1992: Best Comedian, Khel
1993: Best Comedian, Darr
1995: Best Comedian, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge
Nominations
1986: nominated: Best Supporting Actor, Janam
1991: nominated: Best Supporting Actor, Dil
1992: nominated: Best Supporting Actor, Saudagar
1994: nominated: Best Supporting Actor, Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!
1997: nominated: Best Supporting Actor, Chaahat
Screen Awards
1994: Best Supporting Actor for 1942: A Love Story
1999: Best Comedian for Haseena Maan Jayegi
Bollywood Movie Awards
1999 : Best Supporting Actor for Salaakhen
2007 : Best Comedian for Khosla Ka Ghosla
Other awards
2000: Actor of the Decade Award (Millennium Honours)
2000: Best Actor in a Comic Role at the Sansui Viewers Choice Awards
2001: Real Life Hero Award at the Zee Gold Bollywood Awards
2005: "Divya Himachal Award" for excellence 2005, with the blessings of H.H. Dalai Lama
2005: Best Actor Award from the Karachi International Film Festival for Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara
2006: Best Actor Award at the Riverside International Film Festival at California for Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara
2006: GIFA awards: Critics Choice Awards - Best Actor in a Comic Role for Khosla Ka Ghosla
2013: Outstanding Achievement in Cinema award at The Asian Awards.
Refrence : Wikipedia
