On July 17, 2025, Anupam Kher remains a shining star in Indian cinema, known for his talent and inspiring life story. His journey from a small town in Shimla to becoming a global actor is full of hard work and passion. This article tells the story of Anupam Kher’s life in simple words. It shows how a boy with big dreams became a beloved actor, writer, and motivational speaker. His story is like a colorful Bollywood movie, with drama, struggles, and success.
Early Life And Family
Anupam Kher was born on March 7, 1955, in Shimla, a beautiful hill town in India. He grew up in a simple Kashmiri Pandit family. His father, Pushkar Nath Kher, worked as a clerk in the forest department. His mother, Dulari Kher, was a loving housewife. They lived in a small house with two rooms. Three generations of the Kher family shared this home. Money was tight, but the family was happy. Anupam often talks about his joyful childhood. He loved small things, like his first pair of shoes or a new suit. These memories shaped his positive outlook on life.
As a young boy, Anupam was curious and full of energy. He went to D.A.V. School in Shimla. He was not a top student, but he loved acting. He joined plays at school and dreamed of becoming an actor. After school, he studied economics at Government College, Sanjauli, in Shimla. But his heart was not in studies. He wanted to act. So, he left college and joined the National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi. In 1978, he graduated from NSD with a gold medal. This was a big achievement for a boy from a small town.
Challenges
Anupam’s early life was not easy. He faced many challenges. After NSD, he moved to Bombay (now Mumbai) to try his luck in films. He had no money and no place to stay. For a month, he slept on a railway platform. He went to auditions but faced rejection. Many people told him he could not be a hero because of his looks. But Anupam did not give up. He believed in himself. His motto, “Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai” (Anything Can Happen), kept him going.
Anupam Kher Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Net Worth, Wife, Son, Family
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Anupam Kher |
| Date of Birth | March 7, 1955 |
| Place of Birth | Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India |
| Family Background | Born in a Kashmiri Pandit family. Father: Pushkar Nath Kher (clerk). Mother: Dulari Kher (housewife). Lived in a small house with two rooms. |
| Education | Studied at D.A.V. School, Shimla. Attended Government College, Sanjauli (economics). Graduated from National School of Drama (NSD), New Delhi, in 1978 with a gold medal. |
| Early Struggles | Moved to Mumbai with no money. Slept on a railway platform for a month. Faced rejection in auditions due to his looks. |
| Career Start | Breakthrough with Saaransh (1984), directed by Mahesh Bhatt; played an elderly father at age 28. |
| Total Films | Acted in over 540 films in Bollywood and Hollywood. |
| Notable Bollywood Films | Saaransh (1984), Karma (1986), Tezaab (1988), ChaalBaaz (1989), Ram Lakhan (1989), Lamhe (1991), Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Theme (2022). |
| Hollywood Films | Silver Linings Playbook, The Big Sick, Hotel Mumbai. |
| TV Show | Played Dr. Vijay Kapoor in New Amsterdam (American TV series). |
| Awards | 2 National Film Awards, 8 Filmfare Awards (1 Best Actor, 1 Best Supporting Actor, 5 Best Comedian), Padma Shri (2004), Pad Hawkins* (2016). |
| Other Achievements | Doctorate from Hindu University of America (2021). |
| Books Written | The Best Thing About You Is You! (2011), Lessons Life Taught Me, Unknowingly (2019), Your Best Day Is Today! (2020). |
| Acting School | Founded Actor Prepares in Mumbai (2005). |
| Leadership Roles | Chairman of FTII (2017), Central Board of Film Certification, and National School of Drama. |
| Personal Life | Married Madhumati Kapoor (1979, divorced). Married Kirron Kher (1985). Stepson: Ricciardo* (actor). |
| Political Affiliation | Supports Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. |
| Recent Work | Directed Tumko Meri Kasam (2025). Produced The Kashmir Files (2022). |
| Social Media Presence | Named one of the top ten social media influencers in 2019. |
| Motto | “Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai” (Anything Can Happen). |
Acting Career
In 1984, Anupam got his big break. He acted in a film called *Saaransh*, directed by Mahesh Bhatt. He played an elderly father who lost his son. Anupam was only 28 years old, but he acted like a 60-year-old man. The film was a hit with critics. It was even chosen as India’s entry for the Oscars. Anupam won his first Filmfare Award for Best Actor. This role made him famous. People saw his talent and loved his acting.
After *Saaransh*, Anupam worked in many films. He acted in over 540 movies in his career. He played all kinds of roles—funny, serious, and even villainous. In films like *Karma* (1986), *Tezaab* (1988), and *ChaalBaaz* (1989), he played strong negative characters. His role in *Vijay* (1988) won him a Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. He also shone in comedy roles. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Comedian five times for films like *Ram Lakhan* (1989), *Lamhe* (1991), and *Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge* (1995). His ability to do different roles made him special.
Anupam’s talent was not limited to Bollywood. He worked in Hollywood films too. He acted in movies like *Silver Linings Playbook*, *The Big Sick*, and *Hotel Mumbai*. He worked with famous directors like Ang Lee and Woody Allen. He also starred in the American TV show *New Amsterdam* as Dr. Vijay Kapoor. This made him a global star. People all over the world know his name. His journey from Shimla to Hollywood is truly inspiring.
Books Written
Besides acting, Anupam is a writer and motivational speaker. He wrote a book called *The Best Thing About You Is You!* in 2011. It became a bestseller. In 2019, he wrote his autobiography, *Lessons Life Taught Me, Unknowingly*. This book tells his life story and shares lessons he learned. In 2020, he wrote *Your Best Day Is Today!*, inspired by the COVID-19 crisis. His books are full of hope and wisdom. They inspire people to stay strong and believe in themselves.
Acting School
Anupam also started an acting school called Actor Prepares in Mumbai in 2005. It is a famous school where young actors learn to act. Many successful actors trained there. Anupam loves teaching and helping new talent. He believes anyone can achieve their dreams with hard work. His school is a way to give back to the world of acting.
Personal Life
Anupam’s personal life is also interesting. He married actress Madhumati Kapoor in 1979, but they later divorced. In 1985, he married Kirron Kher, a well-known actress and politician. Kirron is a Member of Parliament for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Anupam supports the BJP and India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. He has a stepson, Sikandar Kher, who is also an actor. Anupam’s family is close, and he often talks about his love for his mother, Dulari. He calls her “Dulari Rocks” on social media.
Awards And Achievements
Anupam has won many awards. The Government of India gave him the Padma Shri in 2004 and the Padma Bhushan in 2016. These are high honors for his work in cinema and arts. He also won two National Film Awards and eight Filmfare Awards. In 2021, he got a Doctorate from the Hindu University of America. These awards show how much people respect him.
Anupam is also a leader in the film world. He was the Chairman of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in 2017. He also served as Chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification and the National School of Drama. These roles show his love for Indian cinema. But his time at FTII was not easy. Some people did not like his support for the BJP. In 2018, he left FTII because of his work on *New Amsterdam*.
Life Lessons
Anupam’s life is full of lessons. He says failure is important. It teaches us to grow. He faced many failures but never lost hope. His autobiography talks about this. He believes success is boring, but failure is exciting. It makes us stronger. His words inspire young people, especially those who want to act. He tells them to believe in themselves and work hard.
Anupam loves reading books too. He says books like *Lust for Life* by Irving Stone and *How the Steel Was Tempered* by Nikolai Ostrovsky inspired him. He also loves Charlie Chaplin’s autobiography. These books gave him strength during tough times. He shares this love for reading with his fans. He wants everyone to read and learn.
Social Media
Anupam is also active on social media. In 2019, he was named one of the top ten social media influencers in the world. He shares his thoughts and stories with millions of followers. He posted about his autobiography on X, calling it a story of his failures and lessons. His posts are full of energy and hope. They make people smile and think.
Recently, Anupam directed a new film called *Tumko Meri Kasam*. It is his return to directing after many years. He says he directs only when he has a story to tell. This shows his passion for storytelling. His film *The Kashmir Files* (2022) was a huge hit. It told a serious story and won hearts worldwide. Anupam’s work always touches people’s emotions.
Anupam Kher’s life is a mix of struggles and victories. He started with nothing but a dream. He faced rejection but kept going. Today, he is a star in India and abroad. His story shows that anything is possible with hard work. He is not just an actor but a teacher, writer, and speaker. His life is like a movie with many twists and turns. For young people in India, Anupam Kher is a hero. His journey proves that dreams can come true.