Anupam Kher

appeared in nearly 450 films and 100 plays, Anupam Kher passed out of National School of Drama, Delhi, in the year 1978. His father Pushkar Nath Kher was a clerk with the forest department and mother Dulari, a housewife. His brother Raju is also an actor.

Though mainly appearing in Bollywood films, he has had roles in some films from other nations as well. He has held the post of Chairman of the Censor Board and National School of Drama in India.

Kher made his acting debut in the 1982 Hindi movie Aagman. Then in 1984 came Saaransh, where 28-year old Kher played a retired 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 (2003) 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 most recently in The Mistress of Spices (2006) and Lust, Caution (2007).

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.

Anupam Kher was applauded for his performance in the film Daddy (1989). He has starred in numerous Hindi and crossover films. He has also starred in the TV show ER (2004) as the father of Parminder Nagra (Bend It Like Beckham fame).  Anupam Kher runs an acting school in Mumbai, called Actor Prepares, with a branch in London. His most famous student is Deepika Padukone.