Anupam Kher

Anupam Kher – Life, Career, and Memorable Insights

Discover the journey of Anupam Kher — celebrated Indian actor, director, and mentor. From humble origins to international acclaim, explore his biography, acting philosophy, and unforgettable quotes.

Introduction

Anupam Kher (born March 7, 1955) is one of Indian cinema’s most versatile and enduring actors. With a career spanning over four decades and more than 540 films across multiple languages, he has played a wide spectrum of characters — from intense dramatic roles to light-hearted comedic turns and impactful international projects.

Beyond acting, Kher is an educator, motivational speaker, and founder of an acting school. His life story—from modest beginnings to national honors—resonates as a narrative of resilience, reinvention, and purpose.

Early Life and Family

Anupam Kher was born in Shimla (formerly Simla), Himachal Pradesh, India, on March 7, 1955.

His early life was marked by modest means; he has spoken about times of financial hardship, even sleeping at railway stations in his early days in Mumbai while trying to break into acting.

He completed schooling in Shimla (attended DAV School, Sanjauli) and enrolled in Government College, Sanjauli, initially to study economics, before shifting his focus to the arts. National School of Drama (NSD), New Delhi, graduating in 1978.

These early experiences forged his humility, perseverance, and a sense that every role in life—from struggle to success—shapes one’s character.

Youth, Training & Break into Acting

While at NSD, Kher honed his theatrical skills, immersing himself in stagecraft, voice work, and performance techniques. The training grounded him in discipline, adaptability, and expressive range.

After NSD, he began working in theater and small screen dramas. The move to Mumbai (then Bombay) presented challenges: competition, rejection, and financial uncertainty. In his early days in Mumbai, he faced rejections (in part over appearance, such as baldness) and had to persistently audition and prove himself.

His first major film role came in Saaransh (1984), directed by Mahesh Bhatt. In that film, Kher played an elderly man who has lost his only son, a role more suited by older actors, and his performance earned wide critical acclaim. Filmfare Award for Best Actor for that role.

That success opened doors to diverse roles: villains, comedic parts, supporting and leading characters — showcasing his flexibility as an actor.

Career and Achievements

Rise and Versatility

Over time, Kher became known for his ability to fit into many niches—dramatic heavy-lifting, comedic timing, villainy, paternal roles, and beyond.

Some notable films and milestones:

• He won Filmfare Awards in comedic roles (for Ram Lakhan, Lamhe, Khel, Darr, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge) — holding a record for multiple wins in that category.

• He also received National Film Awards (Special Jury) for Daddy (1989) and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara (2005).

• He featured in international films: Bend It Like Beckham (2002), Lust, Caution (2007), Silver Linings Playbook (2013), etc.

• In television, he gained global recognition with New Amsterdam (as Dr. Vijay Kapoor) and roles in series like Mrs. Wilson.

Kher also branched into direction and production (for example Om Jai Jagadish) and authored motivational and life-lesson books: The Best Thing About You Is You!, Lessons Life Taught Me Unknowingly, Your Best Day Is Today!, etc.

He founded Actor Prepares, an acting institute in Mumbai, to train upcoming actors in craft and real-world discipline.

In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded Padma Shri (2004) and Padma Bhushan (2016) by the Government of India.

He has also held leadership roles: Chairman of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) (2017–2018) and other advisory/administrative posts.

Legacy and Influence

Anupam Kher has left a mark in multiple ways:

• He is a model of longevity and reinvention in Indian cinema — remaining relevant across generations, genres, and languages.

• His journey from modest origins to national and international stages inspires many aspiring actors.

• Through Actor Prepares, he has directly influenced and mentored a generation of actors not just technically, but in mindset and discipline.

• His public persona — candid, motivational, philosophical — extends his influence beyond film, into education, inspiration, and social discourse.

He is often seen as an ambassador for Indian acting talent on world stages, bridging Bollywood and international cinema.

Personality, Philosophy & Approach

Kher’s public statements, interviews, and writings reveal several consistent traits:

• Humility and groundedness: He frequently recalls his early struggles, rejections, and the fact that he is “a small-town boy” at heart.

• Hard work and honesty: He emphasizes that in any role — no matter how small — one must bring honesty, sincerity, and dedication.

• Fear and failure as growth tools: He often speaks about fear being the obstacle, and failure being instructive.

• Authenticity in acting: “Acting is not about pretending, it’s about living truthfully under imaginary circumstances.” is a quote attributed to him.

• Resilience and vision: He believes in staying positive despite setbacks, and letting one’s work and passion speak. He once said, “The day you stop learning is the day you stop growing.”

He does not shy from expressing opinions on social or cultural issues and has at times been vocal in public debates, reflecting that he sees his voice as part of his responsibility.

Famous Quotes of Anupam Kher

Here are some memorable quotes that capture his outlook on life, art, and growth:

• “The day you stop learning is the day you stop growing.”

• “I discovered that the world frightens you with your shortcomings, but if you do not worry about it, you are liberated.”

• “Acting is not about pretending, it’s about living truthfully under imaginary circumstances.”

• “I was born in a poor family, a lower middle class family. My father was a clerk … I was very bad at studies. I was not very good at sports, also.”

• “I had spent many days hungry; had slept on railway stations … there were moments when I felt I had compromised my dignity as a human being and as an actor.”

• “Every individual suffers from the fear of failure, but you can change your destiny only when you overcome it.”

• “We only see the glamour side of stars but not how they’ve achieved it.”

• “I wrote a book on life coaching, because my life became my own reference point how to live.”

These lines reflect his belief in inner strength, truthfulness, growth, and the dignity embedded in struggle.

Lessons from Anupam Kher

From Kher’s life and career, several lessons emerge:

1. Believe in your uniqueness
   Early rejections and obstacles didn’t derail him. He persisted with his identity rather than conforming.

2. Embrace failure and fear
   Instead of hiding from them, Kher regards them as integral parts of growth. Overcoming those is what shapes character.

3. Commit fully to every role
   Even in small parts, bring honesty and discipline — that’s the foundation of lasting respect.

4. Continual learning is essential
   He champions learning as lifelong — in craft, life, perspective.

5. Use success to uplift others
   Through teaching, mentoring, and writing, he channels his success into building up others.

6. Define your legacy by values, not just fame
   Kher’s story shows that meaningful life is shaped as much by how one lives as by what one achieves.

Conclusion

Anupam Kher stands as a living testament to the power of perseverance, passion, and evolution. From Shimla to global cinema, his journey incorporates struggle, reinvention, discovery, and purpose. His cinematic versatility, combined with his roles as mentor and thinker, carve him not only as a towering actor but as an inspiring figure.