- Age
- 71 yrs
- Birthday in 131 days
- Works listed
- 6
- Film, Memoir
- Honours
- 2
- Most recent 2016
- Profile views
- 2
- 0 followers
Anupam Kher is a veteran Indian actor who has appeared in more than 500 films since his debut in Saaransh (1984), including international productions such as Bend It Like Beckham, Silver Linings Playbook and Hotel Mumbai.
Biography
Early life
Born to a Kashmiri Pandit family in Shimla, Kher trained at the National School of Drama in Delhi and taught drama before moving to Bombay.
Film career
At 28 he played a grieving 65-year-old father in Mahesh Bhatt’s Saaransh (1984), winning a Filmfare Award. He became one of Hindi cinema’s most versatile character actors, with films including Karma, Ram Lakhan, Lamhe, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and A Wednesday!.
His international work includes Bend It Like Beckham (2002), Bride & Prejudice, Lust, Caution (2007), Silver Linings Playbook (2012), The Big Sick (2017), Hotel Mumbai (2018) and the US series New Amsterdam.
Range
Kher is equally known for comedy and drama: the comic villain Dr. Dang in Karma (1986), the father in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, and the sharp police chief in A Wednesday! (2008). He has won eight Filmfare Awards and two National Film Awards (special mentions) for Daddy (1989) and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara (2005).
Teacher, writer and public figure
He founded the acting school Actor Prepares in Mumbai in 2005 and has written books including The Best Thing About You Is You! and his memoir Lessons Life Taught Me Unknowingly (2022). He is outspoken on Kashmiri Pandit issues and starred in The Kashmir Files (2022). His wife, Kirron Kher, is an actor and was a BJP member of Parliament for Chandigarh.
Teaching and writing
Kher founded the acting school Actor Prepares in Mumbai in 2005. He has written books including The Best Thing About You Is You! and his autobiography, Lessons Life Taught Me Unknowingly (2019). He has also served as chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification and of the Film and Television Institute of India.
Institutions and honours
He has chaired the Central Board of Film Certification (2003–04) and the Film and Television Institute of India (2017–18), and runs the acting school Actor Prepares. He received the Padma Shri in 2004 and the Padma Bhushan in 2016. His wife is actor and politician Kirron Kher.
Timeline
-
1955
Born in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
-
1984
Saaransh
Breakthrough role.
-
1986
Karma
Plays Dr. Dang.
-
1989
Daddy
National Film Award (special mention).
-
1995
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
-
2002
Bend It Like Beckham
-
2004
Padma Shri
-
2005
Founds Actor Prepares
-
2008
A Wednesday!
-
2012
Silver Linings Playbook
-
2016
Padma Bhushan
-
2017
Chairman of FTII
Until 2018.
-
2022
The Kashmir Files; publishes his memoir
Notable works
-
1984
Saaransh Film
-
2002
Bend It Like Beckham Film
-
2012
Silver Linings Playbook Film
-
1986
Karma Film
-
2008
A Wednesday! Film
-
2022
Lessons Life Taught Me Unknowingly Memoir
Awards and honours
-
Padma Shri
2004
-
Padma Bhushan
2016
Did you know?
-
1
He played a 65-year-old in his first lead role at the age of 28.
-
2
He has appeared in more than 500 films.
-
3
He runs the acting school Actor Prepares.
Gallery
Connections
Frequently asked
Who is Anupam Kher?
Anupam Kher is a veteran Indian actor who has appeared in more than 500 films since his debut in Saaransh (1984), including international productions such as Bend It Like Beckham, Silver Linings Playbook and Hotel Mumbai.
How old is Anupam Kher?
Anupam Kher is 71 years old, born on 7 March 1955 in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
Where is Anupam Kher from?
Anupam Kher was born in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
What is Anupam Kher known for?
Anupam Kher is best known for Saaransh, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Bend It Like Beckham, Silver Linings Playbook.
What awards has Anupam Kher received?
Notable honours include Padma Shri (2004), Padma Bhushan (2016).
Who is Anupam Kher married to?
Spouse: Kirron Kher (m. 1985).
References
- Anupam Kher — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Anupam Kher — IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Anupam Kher — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Anupam Kher (Q560163) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editors; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal
- First published 26 October 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“Anupam Kher.” TrackFame, last updated 27 October 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/anupam-kher
Discussion 0
Sign in or create an account to join the discussion.
No comments yet — be the first.
More in Film & TV
Film & TV
Priyanka Chopra Jonas
Actress and producer working in Hindi cinema and Hollywood; Miss World 2000
Born 1982
Film & TV
Deepika Padukone
Actress, producer and mental-health advocate
Born 1986
Film & TV
Ali Fazal
Actor in Hindi cinema, streaming series and Hollywood
Born 1986
Film & TV
Irrfan Khan
Actor acclaimed in Indian and international cinema
1967 – 2020
Film & TV
Freida Pinto
Actress who rose to fame in Slumdog Millionaire
Born 1984
Film & TV
Shah Rukh Khan
Actor and film producer, one of the most successful stars in world cinema
Born 1965