Anupam Kher’s journey isn’t just a career—it’s a legacy of over 500 films, and he’s far from calling it a wrap!
Anupam Kher, who has won two National Film Awards and eight Filmfare Awards for his acting, is celebrating his 70th birthday today. There couldn’t be a better day to pay tribute and acknowledge the recognition he already holds, yet undeniably deserves, for his illustrious four-decade-long career. The veteran actor, who began his journey in the hill town of Shimla and later opened doors for Indian actors on the global stage, considers it a great achievement to have showcased his work without any industry backing or a film background. Kher is not only an actor but also a film producer, director, playback singer, and former chairman of the Film and Television Institute of India—a truly multi-talented artist. While his veteran status is well known, did you know he has appeared in over 500 films and continues to add to that number?
Anupam Kher initially pursued economics at Government College, Sanjauli, under Himachal Pradesh University in Shimla but later dropped out to study Indian theatre at Panjab University, Chandigarh. He went on to graduate from the National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi in 1978. Some of his earliest performances were in plays staged at Himachal Pradesh University.
Kher made his film debut with Mahesh Bhatt’s drama ‘Saaransh’, which proved to be his breakthrough role. His portrayal of an elderly father earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor. He then went on to play numerous supporting roles and was widely acclaimed for his performances in negative roles as well. His role in ‘Vijay’ won him the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award, while his comic performance in ‘Ram Lakhan’ earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role. From leading roles to negative characters, comedy to drama, Kher has showcased his versatility across almost every genre.
Apart from his work in Hindi cinema, Anupam Kher has also appeared in international films like ‘Bend It Like Beckham,’ ‘Silver Linings Playbook,’ and several others. He has previously held prestigious positions, serving as the Chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification and the National School of Drama in India. In October 2017, he was appointed as the Chairman of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), and a year later, he resigned because of his other work commitments.
Anupam Kher once said, “If life is a movie, I’ve been blessed with a blockbuster.” And rightly so. He has proven his mettle with iconic performances, not just in Hindi cinema but across multiple languages. The 70-year-old arrived in Mumbai with only Rs 37 in his pocket, struggling through various roles before landing his breakthrough performance that shaped his career and earned him numerous accolades.
Having appeared in over 540 films across different languages and countless stage plays, Kher still believes that “the greatest role is always the next one.” He refuses to slow down, constantly seeking new endeavours. As he puts it, “This is just the interval point of what I am doing, and my second half of the journey starts now. It began with my 500th film… I told myself this is the interval point with ‘The Big Sick.’”
