View source for Anupam Kher

{{Short description|Indian actor (born 1955)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2025}}
{{Infobox actor
| name               = Anupam Kher
| image              = Anupam Kher at 56th IFFI.jpg
| caption            = Kher in 2025
| office             = Chairman of the [[Film and Television Institute of India]]
| term               = 11 October 2017 – 31 October 2018
| predecessor        = [[Gajendra Chauhan]]
| successor          = [[B. P. Singh]]
| birth_name         = 
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1955|3|7}}
| birth_place        = [[Simla]], [[Patiala and East Punjab States Union|PEPSU]], India
| alma_mater         = {{unbulleted list
|[[Panjab University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
|[[National School of Drama]]}}
| occupation         = {{hlist|Actor|producer}}
| works              = [[Anupam Kher filmography|Full list]]
| spouse             = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|Madhumalti Kapoor|1978|<!--unknown-->|end=sep}}
* {{marriage|[[Kirron Kher]]|1985}}
}}
| relatives          = [[Raju Kher]] (brother)
| children           = [[Sikandar Kher]] (stepson)
| awards             = [[List of awards and nominations received by Anupam Kher|Full list]]
| website            = {{URL|http://www.anupamkherfoundation.org}}
}}

'''Anupam Kher''' (born 7 March 1955) is an [[India]]n actor, director and producer who works primarily in [[Hindi cinema]]. In a career spanning over four decades, he has acted in more than [[Anupam Kher filmography|540 films]]. A veteran of Indian cinema,<ref name="actorsprep">{{cite news |title=Been there, done that! Anupam Kher starts shooting for 501st film |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/been-there-done-that-anupam-kher-starts-shooting-for-501st-film/articleshow/53613613.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029231303/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/been-there-done-that-anupam-kher-starts-shooting-for-501st-film/articleshow/53613613.cms |archive-date=29 October 2016 |access-date=24 June 2011 |agency=IANS |work=The Economic Times}}</ref> Kher is recipient of two [[National Film Awards]] and eight [[Filmfare Awards]] for his acting performances.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Anupam Kher Awards: List of awards and nominations received by Anupam Kher |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Anupam-Kher/awards |website=The Times of India |access-date=18 May 2020 |archive-date=14 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414021822/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Anupam-Kher/awards |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Government of India]] awarded him the [[Padma Shri]] in 2004<ref>{{Cite web |last=PTI |date=13 March 2023 |title=Owe my achievements to country, people: Anupam Kher |url=https://theprint.in/feature/owe-my-achievements-to-country-people-anupam-kher/1439956/ |access-date=17 September 2025 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref> and the [[Padma Bhushan]] in 2016<ref>{{Cite web |last=archive |first=From our online |date=25 March 2017 |title=Anti-award wapsi activist Padma Bhushan Anupam Kher chosen for another award - the Kala Ratan |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/hindi/2017/Mar/25/anti-award-wapsi-activist-padma-bhushan-anupam-kher-chosen-for-another-award---the-kala-ratan-1585773.html |access-date=17 September 2025 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> for his contribution to Indian cinema and arts.

Kher made his acting debut with [[Mahesh Bhatt]]-directed drama film ''[[Saaransh]]''<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 February 2024 |title=Saaransh: The 1984 Mahesh Bhatt movie that made Rohini Hattangadi a household name |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/saaransh-the-1984-movie-that-made-rohini-hattangadi-a-household-name/articleshow/107450357.cms |access-date=17 September 2025 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> (1984), which marked Kher's breakthrough role, earning him the [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor]] for his portrayal of an elderly father. Since then he starred in several other supporting roles. He was appreciated in negative roles in films such as ''[[Karma (1986 film)|Karma]]'' (1986), ''[[Tezaab]]'' (1988) and ''[[ChaalBaaz]]'' (1989). For ''[[Vijay (1988 film)|Vijay]]'' (1988), he won the [[Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award]] for his performance. In 1989, ''[[Ram Lakhan]]'' garnered him wider recognition for his comic performances and won him [[Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role]], and for ''[[Daddy (1989 film)|Daddy]]'', he won a [[National Film Award – Special Jury Award (feature film)|National Film Award – Special Jury Award]] and [[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance]]. In later years, Kher was nominated for [[Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award]] for ''[[Dil (1990 film)|Dil]]'' (1990), ''[[Saudagar (1991 film)|Saudagar]]'' (1991), ''[[Lamhe]]'' (1991), ''[[Hum Aapke Hain Koun]]'' (1994), ''[[Chaahat (1996 film)|Chaahat]]'' (1996), ''[[Special 26]]'' (2013) and ''[[Uunchai]]'' (2022).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/ampstories/web-stories/7-greatest-films-of-anupam-kher |title=7 Greatest Films of Anupam Kher}}</ref> He was nominated in the category of [[Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role|Filmfare Award for Best Comedian]] for films, such as ''[[Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin]]'' (1991), ''[[Shola Aur Shabnam (1992 film)|Shola Aur Shabnam]]'' (1992), ''[[Kuch Kuch Hota Hai]]'' (1998), ''[[Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge]]'' (2000), and won for ''[[Khel (film)|Khel]]'' (1992), ''[[Darr]]'' (1993) and ''[[Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge]]'' (1995).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.indianffth.nl/index.php/en/films-and-programme/filmarchive2012/dilwale-dulhania-le-jayenge/ |title=Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (there goes the bride) |publisher=Indian Film Festival, [[The Hague]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131227084026/http://www.indianffth.nl/index.php/en/films-and-programme/filmarchive2012/dilwale-dulhania-le-jayenge/ |archive-date=27 December 2013 |access-date=27 December 2013}}</ref>

Kher's other acclaimed roles include ''[[Khosla Ka Ghosla]]'' (2006), ''[[Buddha Mar Gaya]]'' (2006), ''[[A Wednesday!]]'' (2008), ''[[Baby (2015 Hindi film)|Baby]]'' (2015), ''[[M. S. Dhoni: The Untold Story]]'' (2016), ''[[The Kashmir Files]]'' (2022) and ''[[Metro... In Dino]]'' (2025).<ref>{{cite news |last=Bhatnagar |first=Avinash |date=20 April 2024 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity/cinema/anupam-kher-i-have-always-been-the-face-of-change-the-problem-is-that-the-world-has-only-now-acknowledged-it-101713620055983.html |title=Anupam Kher: I have always been the face of change; the problem is that the world has only now acknowledged it |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=16 July 2025}}</ref><ref name="News18">{{cite news |last=Verma |first=Shikha |date=4 July 2025 |title=Metro In Dino Review: Anurag Basu's Film Is A Beautiful Ode To Love |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/metro-in-dino-review-anurag-basus-film-is-a-beautiful-ode-to-love-8965432.html |work=News18 |access-date=7 July 2025}}</ref> Besides working in Hindi films, he has also appeared in international films such as the [[Golden Globe]]-nominated ''[[Bend It Like Beckham]]'' (2002), [[Ang Lee]]'s [[Golden Lion]]-winning [[List of NC-17 rated films|NC-17 rated]] ''[[Lust, Caution]]'' (2007), [[David O. Russell]]'s [[Academy Awards|Oscar]]-winning ''[[Silver Linings Playbook]]'' (2012) and Anthony Maras' ''[[Hotel Mumbai]]'' (2019). He received a [[BAFTA]] nomination for his supporting role in the British television film ''[[The Boy with the Topknot]]'' (2018).<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=4 April 2018 |title=Anupam Kher bags BAFTA Awards 2018 nomination for The Boy with the Topknot; Here's the Complete List |language=en-US |work=Indiatvnews |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/hollywood-bafta-2018-nomination-list-anupam-kher-bags-nod-for-the-boy-in-top-knot-435870 |url-status=live |access-date=12 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616103244/https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/hollywood-bafta-2018-nomination-list-anupam-kher-bags-nod-for-the-boy-in-top-knot-435870 |archive-date=16 June 2018}}</ref> Anupam Kher will portray [[Rabindranath Tagore]] in his 538th film.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 July 2023 |title=Anupam Kher to portray legendary poet Rabindranath Tagore in 538th film, shares his first look |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/books/features/anupam-kher-to-portray-legendary-poet-rabindranath-tagore-in-538th-film-shares-his-first-look/articleshow/101616083.cms |access-date=17 September 2025 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

He has previously served as the Chairman of the [[Central Board of Film Certification]] and the [[National School of Drama]] in India.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |url=http://nsd.gov.in/Annual_Report_2005-06.pdf |title=NSD Graduates |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718213711/http://www.nsd.gov.in/Annual_Report_2005-06.pdf |archive-date=18 July 2011 |url-status=dead |access-date=24 June 2011}}</ref>
Kher was appointed Chairman of the [[Film and Television Institute of India]] (FTII) in October 2017.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 October 2017 |title=Anupam Kher appointed FTII chairman |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/anupam-kher-appointed-ftii-chairman/articleshow/61035487.cms |access-date=31 July 2019}}</ref> His appointment was [[controversial]], given his support for the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |url=https://theprint.in/opinion/the-double-life-of-anupam-kher-fanboy-to-bjp-and-desi-uncle-to-hollywood/171381/ |title=The double life of Anupam Kher: Hollywood's favourite desi & BJP's pin-up patriot |last=Bamzai |first=Kaveree |date=31 July 2019 |website=The Print |access-date=31 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731062727/https://theprint.in/opinion/the-double-life-of-anupam-kher-fanboy-to-bjp-and-desi-uncle-to-hollywood/171381/ |archive-date=31 July 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaushik |first=Krishn |date=12 October 2017 |title=Anupam Kher appointed new FTII chairman: His politics in his tweets, from award wapsi to JNU |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/anupam-kher-appointed-new-ftii-chairman-his-politics-in-his-tweets-from-award-wapsi-to-jnu-4886053/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731062728/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/anupam-kher-appointed-new-ftii-chairman-his-politics-in-his-tweets-from-award-wapsi-to-jnu-4886053/ |archive-date=31 July 2019 |access-date=31 July 2019 |website=The Indian Express |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/2017/10/12/why-anupam-khers-appointment-as-ftii-chairman-is-problematic_a_23240877/ |title=Why Anupam Kher's Appointment As FTII Chairman Is Problematic |date=12 October 2017 |website=HuffPost India |language=en |access-date=31 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731062731/https://www.huffingtonpost.in/2017/10/12/why-anupam-khers-appointment-as-ftii-chairman-is-problematic_a_23240877/ |archive-date=31 July 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/naseeruddin-shah-on-ftii-chairman-anupam-khers-absence-i-dont-think-hes-been-there-more-than-twice-1862643.html |title=Naseeruddin Shah on FTII Chairman Anupam Kher: I Don't Think He's Been There More Than Twice |website=News18 |date=31 August 2018 |access-date=31 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731062725/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/naseeruddin-shah-on-ftii-chairman-anupam-khers-absence-i-dont-think-hes-been-there-more-than-twice-1862643.html |archive-date=31 July 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> A year later, he resigned as the chairman of the FTII, citing his work commitments for the American TV show ''[[New Amsterdam (2018 TV series)|New Amsterdam]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/anupam-kher-resigns-as-ftii-chairman-citing-international-assignments-1940623 |title=Anupam Kher Resigns as FTII Chairman Citing 'International Assignments' |work=NDTV.com |access-date=1 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101095718/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/anupam-kher-resigns-as-ftii-chairman-citing-international-assignments-1940623 |archive-date=1 November 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Early life and background==
Anupam Kher was born on 7 March 1955 in [[Shimla|Simla]], in the [[Patiala and East Punjab States Union]] of India (now in [[Himachal Pradesh]]), into a [[Kashmiri Pandit]] family.<ref name="DOB">{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/robert-de-niro-made-anupam-khers-birthday-special/articleshow/57555994.cms |first=Lasyapriya |last=Sundaram |title=Robert De Niro made Anupam Kher's birthday special |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date=10 March 2017 |access-date=23 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314165746/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/robert-de-niro-made-anupam-khers-birthday-special/articleshow/57555994.cms |archive-date=14 March 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=11 April 2009 |title=Anupam Kher to work for Empowerment of Kashmiri Pandit Community |publisher=Hindustan Times |access-date=8 December 2020 |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/anupam-kher-to-work-for-empowerment-of-kashmiri-pandits/story-WuvcZNKP4vXb1QzpoZJeDP.html |quote=as a member of the [Kashmiri Pandit] community}}</ref> His father, Pushkar Nath Kher was a clerk in the forest department of [[Himachal Pradesh]] and his mother, Dulari Kher was a housewife.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sawhney |first=Anubha |title=Anupam Kher: A retake of life's scenes |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/delhi-times/Anupam-Kher-A-retake-of-lifes-scenes/articleshow/15884674.cms |access-date=8 December 2020 |work=The Times of India |date=13 June 2002 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Shimla's coffee house will miss Anupam Kher's father |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/shimlas-coffee-house-will-miss-anupam-khers-father/articleshow/11867051.cms |access-date=16 March 2022 |work=The Times of India |date=13 February 2012 |language=en}}</ref> He was educated at D. A. V. School in Shimla.<ref>{{cite news |date=13 June 2019 |title=Anupam kher speaks at oxford union thanks students after talking about cinema and india |work=Hindustantimes |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/anupam-kher-speaks-at-oxford-union-thanks-students-after-talking-about-cinema-and-india/story-9Z5yVOTxDifbm0lgSWCS3H.html |url-status=live |access-date=16 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190615071252/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/anupam-kher-speaks-at-oxford-union-thanks-students-after-talking-about-cinema-and-india/story-9Z5yVOTxDifbm0lgSWCS3H.html |archive-date=15 June 2019}}</ref> He studied economics at [[Government College, Sanjauli]] under [[Himachal Pradesh University]], [[Shimla]], but dropped out to study Indian theatre at [[Panjab University, Chandigarh]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Small town boy with big dreams, Anupam Kher says the city made me who I am |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/small-town-boy-with-big-dreams-anupam-kher-says-the-city-made-me-who-i-am/story-UCoCFuguklDy0wIRzIPUHK.html |access-date=17 February 2021 |work=Hindustan Times |date=5 October 2018 |language=en}}</ref>

In 1978, Kher graduated from the [[National School of Drama]] (NSD) in [[New Delhi]].<ref name=":1"/> Some of his early roles were in plays performed at the Himachal Pradesh University.<ref name="KBHSH">{{cite web |url=http://www.southasiatimes.com.au/news/kuch-bhi-ho-sakta-hai-anupam-kher%E2%80%99s-life-struggle/ |title=Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai: Anupam Kher's life struggle |author=Sanjay Mukherjee says |publisher=Southasiatimes.com.au |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706112307/http://www.southasiatimes.com.au/news/kuch-bhi-ho-sakta-hai-anupam-kher%E2%80%99s-life-struggle/ |archive-date=6 July 2011 |url-status=dead |access-date=24 June 2011}}</ref> He taught drama in [[Raj Bisaria]]'s [[Bharatendu Academy of Dramatic Arts|Bharatendu Natya Akademi]] in [[Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh]] for a small part in his directorial debut movie ''Sheeshay ka Ghar''.<ref name=":3"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/sheeshay-ka-ghar-1988 |title=Sheeshay Ka Ghar |website=bbfc.co.uk |access-date=31 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731063436/https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/sheeshay-ka-ghar-1988 |archive-date=31 July 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In his early struggling days as an actor in Bombay (present-day Mumbai), he reportedly slept on a railway platform for a month.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |title=Anupam Kher |url=http://vision.ae/views/anupam_kher |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121213846/http://vision.ae/views/anupam_kher |archive-date=21 November 2015 |access-date=29 October 2015 |website=Vision.ae}}</ref>

==Acting career==
{{Further|Anupam Kher filmography}}

===Debut and early career (1984–1988)===

Anupam Kher made his acting debut in 1984 with [[Mahesh Bhatt]]'s [[Drama (genre)|drama]] film ''[[Saaransh]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Interview with Mahesh Bhatt: Stories of His Life |url=http://www.indiawest.com/news/5301-interview-with-mahesh-bhatt-stories-of-his-life.html |publisher=IndiaWest |date=2 July 2012 |access-date=11 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513011908/http://www.indiawest.com/news/5301-interview-with-mahesh-bhatt-stories-of-his-life.html |archive-date=13 May 2014 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> It didn't perform well commercially, but was a huge critical success and was chosen as [[India]]'s official entry for the [[Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film]].<ref name="FI1984">{{cite web |url=https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/Film-Information-1984-Classifica.jpg |title=FI Classification (1984)}}</ref><ref name="academy">{{Cite web |url=http://www.oscars.org/aboutacademyawards/history01.html |title=History of the Academy Awards&nbsp;– Page 1 |publisher=[[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080413201500/http://www.oscars.org/aboutacademyawards/history01.html |archive-date=13 April 2008 |access-date=26 July 2012}}</ref> Kher received widespread acclaim for his portraying a 60-year-old man trying to come to terms with the loss of his only son and won his first and only [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor]].<ref name="FA">{{Cite web |url=https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-awards/winners |title=All Filmfare Awards Winners}}</ref> The following year, however, none of his films performed well critically or commercially with [[Rahul Rawail]]'s [[Action (genre)|action drama]] ''[[Arjun (1985 film)|Arjun]]'' co-starring [[Sunny Deol]] and [[Dimple Kapadia]] being the exception.<ref>{{Cite web |title=From 'Betaab' To 'Border', And 'Gadar 2', 9 Times Sunny Deol Hit Bull's Eye At Box-Office |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/web-stories/from-betaab-to-border-and-gadar-2-6-times-sunny-deol-hit-bulls-eye-at-box-office/slideshow/103349546.cms |access-date=8 May 2024 |website=economictimes.indiatimes.com |language=en}}</ref> This changed in 1986 when he co-starred alongside [[Amitabh Bachchan]] in [[K. Bhagyaraj]]'s [[crime drama]] ''[[Aakhree Raasta]]'' and played the ruthless villain "Dr. Michael Dang" in [[Subhash Ghai]]'s ensemble actioner ''[[Karma (1986 film)|Karma]]'', which had [[Dilip Kumar]], [[Jackie Shroff]], [[Anil Kapoor]], [[Naseeruddin Shah]] and [[Sridevi]] in the lead.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/anil-kapoor-celebrates-38-years-of-karma-with-rare-pics-from-sets/articleshow/112384657.cms |title=Anil Kapoor celebrates 38 years of 'Karma' with rare pics from sets |website=[[The Times of India]] |date=9 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Of-wit-and-humour/article15608197.ece |title=Of wit and humour |last=Jeshi |first=K. |date=25 December 2010 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=16 February 2018}}</ref> While the former was a hit, ''Karma'' went on to become a blockbuster and Kher was noticed by the audience.<ref name=TG1986>{{cite web |url=https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/TG-Classifications-1986-1.jpg |title=Trade Guide Classification}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/anupam-kher-my-walk-made-me-dr-dang-in-karma-634177 |title=Anupam Kher: My walk made me Dr Dang in Karma |date=19 July 2013}}</ref> The same year, he played supporting role in another major commercial success, which was - ''[[Insaaf Ki Awaaz]]''.<ref name=TG1986/>

In 1987, he appeared alongside [[Rekha]] and [[Raj Babbar]] in [[T. Rama Rao]]'s family drama ''[[Sansar (1987 film)|Sansar]]'', which was a commercially successful venture.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/TG-Classification-1987.jpg |title=Trade Guide Classification 1987}}</ref> In 1988, he played negative roles in films, such as ''[[Hatya]]'', ''[[Zakhmi Aurat]]'' and ''[[Tezaab]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/romantics-yash-chopra-talks-struggles-faced-releasing-chandni-one-distributor-refused-release-film-lot-messages-passed-another-flop-coming/ |title=The Romantics: Yash Chopra talks about the STRUGGLES he faced while releasing Chandni: "One distributor refused to release the film. A lot of messages were passed that Another flop is coming. Dont give them theatres" : Bollywood News |date=15 February 2023 |website=Bollywood Hungama}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/tezaab-acid |title=Tezaab (1988) |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]}}</ref> Out of these releases, ''Hatya'' and ''Zakhmi Aurat'' were semi-hits, while the lattermost went many steps ahead and emerged a blockbuster as well as the [[List of Indian films of 1988|highest earning film of that year]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/FI-1988-Classifications.jpg |title=Film Information Classification (1988)}}</ref> Kher's other notable release of 1988, ''Vijay'' failed at the box office, but won him his first and only [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor]].<ref name="filmfare-awards">{{Cite web |url=https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-awards/winners |title=Filmfare Awards Winners from 1953 to 2020}}</ref>

===Breakthrough, public recognition and awards success (1989–2001)===

After many years of lukewarm critical and commercial success, Kher became a household name in 1989 when he starred in Subhash Ghai's [[masala film]] ''[[Ram Lakhan]]'', [[Rajiv Rai]]'s action drama ''[[Tridev]]'', [[Yash Chopra]]'s [[Romance film|romantic musical]] ''[[Chandni (1989 film)|Chandni]]'', [[Vidhu Vinod Chopra]]'s crime drama ''[[Parinda]]'' and [[Pankaj Parashar]]'s [[Comedy (genre)|comedy drama]] ''[[ChaalBaaz]]''. All the films proved to be critically and commercially successful, especially ''Ram Lakhan'', ''Tridev'' and ''Chandni'', all three of which backed up with chartbuster music, emerged blockbusters at the box office and were among the top five highest-grossing films of the year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://filminformation.com/featured/flashback-13-october-2023-from-our-issue-dated-17th-october-1998/ |title=Blockbusters Of Twenty-Five Years (1973–1997) |date=13 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Music Hits 1980–1989 |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=283&catName=MTk4MC0xOTg5 |publisher=[[Box Office India]] |date=5 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205042958/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=283&catName=MTk4MC0xOTg5 |archive-date=5 February 2010}}</ref> Apart from commercial projects, Kher also collaborated with Mahesh Bhatt for the art-house [[Television|television film]] ''[[Daddy (1989 film)|Daddy]]'', which like their previous collaboration ''Saaransh'' met with immense acclaim and won Kher his first [[National Film Award – Special Jury Award (feature film)|National Film Award – Special Jury Award]] as well as [[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor|Filmfare Award for Best Actor (Critics)]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Goyal |first1=Divya |title=Pooja Bhatt On The Irony Of Having Saved' An Alcoholic Father In Daddy Only To Battle Drinking Problem Herself |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/pooja-bhatt-on-the-irony-of-having-saved-an-alcoholic-father-in-daddy-only-to-battle-drinking-proble-1838862 |publisher=[[NDTV]] |access-date=9 November 2018 |date=17 April 2018}}</ref><ref name="HTJune">{{cite news |last1=Kaushal |first1=Sweta |title=On Father's Day, revisiting Mahesh Bhatt's autobiographical film Daddy |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/on-father-s-day-revisiting-mahesh-bhatt-s-autobiographical-film-daddy/story-uUEP8OQYP2HgdeSJzegzBI.html |access-date=9 November 2018 |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=17 June 2018}}</ref> The following year, he starred in [[Indra Kumar]]'s blockbuster [[Romance film|romantic comedy]] ''[[Dil (1990 film)|Dil]]'', which had [[Aamir Khan]] and [[Madhuri Dixit]] in the lead roles.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=6063 |title=On This Day: Dil v Ghayal Clash |date=22 June 2020}}</ref> For his performance of a greedy father in ''Dil'', Kher received his third nomination in the [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor]] category.<ref name=FA/> In 1991, he appeared in highly successful films, including ''[[Saudagar (1991 film)|Saudagar]]'', ''[[Saathi (1991 film)|Saathi]]'', ''[[Hum (1991 film)|Hum]]'' and ''[[Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/TG-1991-Classifications-P1.jpg |title=Trade Guide Classification (1991)}}</ref> He also collaborated with Yash Chopra for the romantic drama ''[[Lamhe (1991 film)|Lamhe]]'', which was a commercial failure, but received positive reception from critics and is now considered a cult classic.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=6153 |title=The Top Actor of 2020 |date=9 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Yahoo |title=Top 10 romantic movies |url=http://in.movies.yahoo.com/photos/top-10-romantic-movies-slideshow/top-10-romantic-movies-photo-1328685356.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302194504/http://in.movies.yahoo.com/photos/top-10-romantic-movies-slideshow/top-10-romantic-movies-photo-1328685356.html |archive-date=2 March 2012}}</ref> Kher's performances in ''Saudagar'' and ''Lamhe'' earned him nomination in the [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor]] category.<ref name=Filmfare>{{Cite web |url=http://deep750.googlepages.com/FilmfareAwards.pdf |title=1st Filmfare Awards 1953<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=6 August 2019 |archive-date=12 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612065210/http://deep750.googlepages.com/FilmfareAwards.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref>

His other box office hits of this period, include ''[[Beta (film)|Beta]]'' (1992), ''[[Shola Aur Shabnam (1992 film)|Shola Aur Shabnam]]'' (1992), ''[[Lootere]]'' (1993), ''[[Waqt Hamara Hai]]'' (1993), ''[[Khalnayak]]'' (1993), ''[[Hum Hain Kamaal Ke]]'' (1993), ''[[Gumrah (1993 film)|Gumrah]]'' (1993) and ''[[Darr]]'' (1993).<ref name="Filmography">{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/actor.php?actorid=170 |title=Anupam Kher (Filmography) - Box Office India}}</ref> He then appeared in [[Sooraj Barjatya]]'s ''[[Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!]]'' (1994) and [[Aditya Chopra]]'s ''[[Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge]]'' (1995).<ref name="toi800">{{Cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/800-weeks-of-DDLJ/articleshow/6259881.cms |title=800 weeks of DDLJ |last=Lalwani, Vickey |date=5 August 2010 |work=The Times of India |access-date=22 March 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150625211810/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/800-weeks-of-DDLJ/articleshow/6259881.cms |archive-date=25 June 2015}}</ref> Both the films did extremely well at the box office and emerged ''All Time Blockbusters'' as well as the highest and second highest-grossing film of all time, respectively.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=6074 |title=Rewind - Twenty Six Years Of Hum Aapke Hain Koun...! |date=6 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=6093 |title=Rewind - Twenty Five Years Of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge |date=20 October 2020}}</ref> For his performance in the former, Kher received another nomination in the [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor]] category.<ref name="Film">{{Cite web |url=http://deep750.googlepages.com/FilmfareAwards.pdf |title=Filmfare Awards (1953–2005) |access-date=5 November 2007 |archive-date=12 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612065210/http://deep750.googlepages.com/FilmfareAwards.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> In the late-1990s, he continued to play supporting roles in critically and commercially successful ventures, such as ''[[Judwaa]]'' (1997), ''[[Ziddi (1997 film)|Ziddi]]'' (1997), ''[[Deewana Mastana]]'' (1997), ''[[Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai]]'' (1998), ''[[Kuch Kuch Hota Hai]]'' (1998), ''[[Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998 film)|Bade Miyan Chote Miyan]]'' (1998), ''[[China Gate (1998 film)|China Gate]]'' (1998), ''[[Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain]]'' (1999) and ''[[Haseena Maan Jaayegi]]'' (1999).<ref name="Filmography"/>

Kher began the new decade playing antagonist in [[Rakesh Roshan]]'s [[Romance film|romantic blockbuster]] ''[[Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai]]'' which made [[Hrithik Roshan]] a star.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=711 |title=KAHO NAA... PYAAR HAI - Movie - Box Office India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Top Actors |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=top_actors |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219165002/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=top_actors |archive-date=19 February 2008 |access-date=24 April 2020 |work=Box Office India}}</ref> He followed it with four more major successes the same year with ''[[Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge]]'', ''[[Kya Kehna]]'', ''[[Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai]]'' and ''[[Mohabbatein]]''.<ref name="Filmography"/> In 2001, he had another hit in ''[[Jodi No.1 (film)|Jodi No.1]]'' and received praise for his performance in ''[[Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein]]'', which did not do well commercially, but went on to attain cult status in later years.<ref name="Filmography"/><ref>{{Cite web |title='Gangs of Wasseypur' to 'RHTDM': List of cult classic re-releasing on August 30 |url=https://www.editorji.com/entertainment-news/gangs-of-wasseypur-to-rhtdm-list-of-cult-classic-re-releasing-on-august-30-1724920704481 |access-date=31 August 2024 |website=Editorji |language=en}}</ref>

===Expansion to Hollywood and further acclaim (2002–2018)===

In 2002, Kher starred in his first [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] project which was [[Gurinder Chadha]]'s [[Sport film|sports comedy drama]] ''[[Bend It Like Beckham]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What the cast of Bend It Like Beckham looks like now |url=https://www.who.com.au/cast-bend-it-like-beckham-now |website=Who |date=4 September 2018 |language=en-us |access-date=18 May 2020 |archive-date=11 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311165716/https://www.who.com.au/cast-bend-it-like-beckham-now |url-status=live}}</ref> The film proved to be a critical and commercial success grossing around $76.6&nbsp;million worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Bend-it-Like-Beckham#tab=summary |title=Bend it Like Beckham (2002) – Financial Information |access-date=2 June 2022 |archive-date=2 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602102341/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Bend-it-Like-Beckham#tab=summary |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Turan |first1=Kenneth |title=Bend it Like Beckham: Movie Review |url=http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/reviews/cl-et-turan12mar12,0,1968425.story |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=28 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071124103750/http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/reviews/cl-et-turan12mar12%2C0%2C1968425.story |archive-date=24 November 2007 |date=12 March 2003 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
After gap of an year, he reunited with Chadha for ''[[Bride and Prejudice]]'', which too was a successful venture.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=brideandprejudice.htm |title=Bride and Prejudice (2005) |publisher=Box Office Mojo |date=26 May 2005 |access-date=8 February 2012}}</ref> His final collaboration with Chadha took place in 2005 with ''[[The Mistress of Spices]]'', which unlike their previous ventures was panned by critics and didn't do well at the box office.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/intl/?page=&country=U3&id=_fMISTRESSOFSPICES01 |title=The Mistress of Spices}}</ref><ref>[https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1176223-mistress_of_spices/ The Mistress of Spices - Rotten Tomatoes]</ref>

During this period, Kher continued to star in notable Hindi films, such as ''[[Veer-Zaara]]'' (2004), ''[[Kyaa Kool Hain Hum]]'' (2005) and received immense acclaim and his second [[National Film Award – Special Jury Award (feature film)|National Film Award – Special Jury Award]] for the 2005 film ''[[Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara]]'' (which he also produced).<ref name="Filmography"/><ref name="auto">{{Cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/why-anupam-kher-won-t-return-his-national-awards/story-zNz14I7XvzSet0OiqcRTVM.html |title=Why Anupam Kher won't return his National Awards |date=29 October 2015 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>
In the latter-half of the 2000s, he appeared in critically and commercially successful [[Bollywood]] ventures, including ''[[Rang De Basanti]]'' (2006), ''[[Chup Chup Ke]]'' (2006), ''[[Vivah]]'' (2006), ''[[Khosla Ka Ghosla]]'' (2006), ''[[Apna Sapna Money Money]]'' (2006), ''[[A Wednesday!]]'' (2008), ''[[Wake Up Sid]]'' (2009) and made his [[Cinema of China|Chinese]] film debut with ''[[Lust, Caution]]'' (2007), which too was a box office hit grossing around $67.1 million.<ref>{{Cite web |title=All Time Worldwide Box Office for NC-17 Movies |url=https://m.the-numbers.com/box-office-records/worldwide/all-movies/mpaa-ratings/nc-17-(us) |access-date=4 December 2021 |website=The Numbers}}</ref>

In the following decade, Kher did films of varied genres and found box office success in ''[[Dabangg]]'' (2010), ''[[Yamla Pagla Deewana]]'' (2011), ''[[Kya Super Kool Hain Hum]]'' (2012), ''[[Chashme Baddoor (2013 film)|Chashme Baddoor]]'' (2013), ''[[Singham Returns]]'' (2014), ''[[Prem Ratan Dhan Payo]]'' (2015), ''[[M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story]]'' (2016), ''[[Toilet: Ek Prem Katha]]'' (2017) and ''[[Judwaa 2]]'' (2017).<ref name="Filmography"/> He also received praise for his performances in ''[[Badmaash Company]]'' (2010), ''[[Chaar Din Ki Chandni]]'' (2012), ''[[Special 26]]'' (2013), ''[[Daawat-e-Ishq]]'' (2014), ''[[Baby (2015 Hindi film)|Baby]]'' (2015), ''[[Buddha in a Traffic Jam]]'' (2016), ''[[Indu Sarkar]]'' (2017) and ''[[Love Sonia]]'' (2018). For ''Special 26'', he received a nomination in the Best Supporting Actor category at [[59th Filmfare Awards]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.filmfare.com/news/59th-idea-filmfare-awards-nominations-5138.html |title=59th Idea Filmfare Awards nominations |magazine=[[Filmfare]] |date=13 January 2014 |access-date=13 January 2014}}</ref> During this period, he also made his [[Malayalam]] film debut with [[Blessy]]'s ''[[Pranayam (2011 film)|Pranayam]]'' (2011), played supporting roles in blockbuster Hollywood ventures, including ''[[Silver Linings Playbook]]'' (2012) and ''[[The Big Sick]]'' (2017) and received a nomination in the [[BAFTA]] [[British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]] category for his performance in ''[[The Boy With The Topknot]]'' (2017).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=thebigsick.htm |title=The Big Sick (2017) |work=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=28 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1045658/?ref_=bo_se_r_1 |title=Silver Linings Playbook (2012) |work=[[Box Office Mojo]] |publisher=IMDb |access-date=3 May 2013 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303203508/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=silverliningsplaybook.htm}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/hollywood-bafta-2018-nomination-list-anupam-kher-bags-nod-for-the-boy-in-top-knot-435870 |title=Anupam Kher bags BAFTA Awards 2018 nomination for The Boy with the Topknot; Here's the Complete List |date=4 April 2018 |access-date=12 April 2018 |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Work in regional industries and continued success (2019–present)===

In 2019, Kher appeared in ''[[The Accidental Prime Minister (film)|The Accidental Prime Minister]]'' and ''[[One Day: Justice Delivered]]'', both of which were critical and commercial failures.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/one-day-justice-delivered-movie-review-rating-5816181/ |title=One Day Justice Delivered movie review: Case dismissed |first=Shubhra |last=Gupta |date=6 July 2019 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |accessdate=6 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.koimoi.com/reviews/the-accidental-prime-minister-movie-review-a-silent-disappointment/ |title=The Accidental Prime Minister Movie Review: A Silent Disappointment! |last=Punwani |first=Umesh |date=11 January 2019 |website=Koimoi |language=en-US |access-date=22 July 2019}}</ref><ref name="Filmography"/>

After a gap of almost 3 years, he returned to the big screen playing one of the leads in [[Vivek Agnihotri]]'s ''[[The Kashmir Files]]'' (2022). It received polarising response from critics, but proved to be a huge blockbuster and got Kher a nomination in the Best Actor category at [[68th Filmfare Awards]].<ref name="Filmography"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Nominations For The 68th Hyundai Filmfare Awards 2023 With Maharashtra Tourism |url=https://www.filmfare.com/features/nominations-for-the-68th-hyundai-filmfare-awards-2023-with-maharashtra-tourism-58094.html |access-date=24 April 2023 |work=Filmfare |date=24 April 2023 |language=en |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424083516/https://www.filmfare.com/features/nominations-for-the-68th-hyundai-filmfare-awards-2023-with-maharashtra-tourism-58094.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The same year he appeared in the [[Telugu language|Telugu]] film ''[[Karthikeya 2]]'', which also emerged a blockbuster at the box office.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 December 2022 |title=Year Ender 2022: RRR సహా 2022లో టాలీవుడ్ బాక్సాఫీస్ దగ్గర హిట్టైన చిత్రాలు ఇవే.. |url=https://telugu.news18.com/photogallery/movies/year-ender-2022-tollywood-box-office-hit-films-report-bangarraju-dj-tillu-rrr-kgf-2-major-dhamaka-hit-2-bimbisara-karthikeya2-movies-got-success-ta-1559562-page-13.html |access-date=31 December 2022 |website=[[News18 Telugu]] |language=te}}</ref> In 2023, he appeared in the successful Malayalam comedy ''[[Voice of Sathyanathan]]'' and [[Kannada]] actioner ''[[Ghost (2023 film)|Ghost]]'', which too did well.<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 September 2023 |title='Voice of Sathyanathan' box office collections: Dileep starrer crosses 21.70 crores worldwide |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/box-office/voice-of-sathyanathan-box-office-collections-dileep-starrer-crosses-21-70-crores-worldwide/articleshow/103866780.cms |access-date=23 September 2023 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=nirmal |title='ജയിലര്‍' ശിവണ്ണയുടെ താരമൂല്യം ശരിക്കും ഉയര്‍ത്തിയോ? 'ഗോസ്റ്റ്' വിജയമോ? 17 ദിവസം കൊണ്ട് നേടിയത് |url=https://www.asianetnews.com/entertainment/box-office/shiva-rajkumar-starring-ghost-movie-box-office-collection-mg-srinivas-jayaram-sandesh-productions-nsn-s3nujb |access-date=12 November 2023 |website=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd |language=ml}}</ref>

This was followed by a series of box office duds like ''[[Shiv Shastri Balboa]]'' (2023), ''[[IB71]]'' (2023), ''[[The Vaccine War]]'' (2023), ''[[Emergency (2025 film)|Emergency]]'' (2025) and ''[[Tumko Meri Kasam]]'' (2025).<ref>{{Cite web |title=IB 71 Box Office |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/ib-71/box-office/ |access-date=17 May 2023 |website=Bollywood Hungama |date=12 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Tina |last=Das |title=Kangana's 'Emergency' crosses 10 crore—a lesser flop than her last few films |website=[[ThePrint]] |date=20 January 2025 |url=https://theprint.in/feature/kanganas-emergency-crosses-10-crore-lesser-flop-than-last-few-films/2454061/ |access-date=23 January 2025 |archive-date=20 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250120141606/https://theprint.in/feature/kanganas-emergency-crosses-10-crore-lesser-flop-than-last-few-films/2454061/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Other works==
Kher ventured into directing with ''[[Om Jai Jagadish]]'' (2002) and has been a producer. He produced and starred in the film ''[[Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara]]'' (2005). From October 2003 to October 2004, he served as chairman of the [[Central Board of Film Certification|Indian Film Censor Board]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cbfcindia.gov.in/main/list-of-chairpersons.html |title=List of Chairpersons |website=cbfcindia.gov.in |access-date=4 April 2020 |archive-date=7 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607235354/https://www.cbfcindia.gov.in/main/list-of-chairpersons.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2011 Kher released his first book ''The Best Thing About You is You!'', which was a best-seller. His biography ''Lessons Life Taught Me Unknowingly'' was published on 5 August 2019 by [[Penguin Random House]]. In 2020, he wrote ''Your Best Day Is Today!'', based on his experiences of the [[COVID-19]] crisis.<ref>{{cite news |title=Anupam Kher pens autobiography Lessons Life Taught Me Unknowingly; book to hit stands on 5 August |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/anupam-kher-pens-autobiography-lessons-life-taught-me-unknowingly-book-to-hit-stands-on-5-august-6872071.html |access-date=15 January 2021 |work=Firstpost |date=24 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Anupam Kher presents his book 'Your Best Day Is Today!' to Ruskin Bond |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/books-and-literature/anupam-kher-presents-his-book-your-best-day-is-today-to-ruskin-bond-7110323/ |access-date=15 January 2021 |work=The Indian Express |date=18 December 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Anupam Kher reacts to Anurag Kashyap's comment on 'The Kashmir Files' |language=en |work=abcFRY.com |url=https://abcfry.com/anupam-kher-reacts-to-anurag-kashyaps-comment-on-the-kashmir-files/ |access-date=7 September 2022 |archive-date=7 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907064131/https://abcfry.com/anupam-kher-reacts-to-anurag-kashyaps-comment-on-the-kashmir-files/ |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Your Best Day Is Today! Hardcover – 5 December 2020 |id={{ASIN|9388302540 |country=in}}}}</ref> Remembering his father on his 9th [[death anniversary]], he presented a poem written by [[Lucknow]]-based Poet [[Pankaj Prasun]] and posted it on social media.<ref>{{cite web |title=Anupam Kher remembers father on ninth death anniversary, recites heartfelt poem |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/celebrities/anupam-kher-remembers-father-on-ninth-death-anniversary-recites-heartfelt-poem-683921/ |access-date=28 June 2021 |website=indiatvnews.com |date=10 February 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

Kher hosted TV shows such as ''Say Na Something To Anupam Uncle'', ''[[Sawaal Dus Crore Ka]]'' and ''[[Lead India]]''. In 2014, Kher has written and starred in a play about his own life called ''[[The Anupam Kher Show – Kucch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai|Kucch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai]]'', which was directed by [[Feroz Abbas Khan]].<ref name=KBHSH/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/apr/15anupam.htm |title=Anupam Kher, like never before! |work=Rediff.com |access-date=24 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110118032445/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/apr/15anupam.htm |archive-date=18 January 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2016, Anupam Kher was a narrator in the [[ABP News]] documentary TV series ''[[Bharatvarsh (TV series)|Bharatvarsh]]'',<ref>{{cite web |date=17 August 2016 |title=Anupam Kher to host TV show 'Bharatvarsh' |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/anupam-kher-to-host-tv-show-bharatvarsh-2981422/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728074846/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/anupam-kher-to-host-tv-show-bharatvarsh-2981422/ |archive-date=28 July 2017 |access-date=4 September 2016 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=18 August 2016 |title=Anupam Kher to host historic show titled 'Bharatvarsh' on TV |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/more/news/view/id/20833679 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917052151/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/more/news/view/id/20833679 |archive-date=17 September 2016 |access-date=4 September 2016 |website=Bollywood Hungama}}</ref> which showcased the journey from [[Outline of ancient India|ancient India]] to the 19th century.<ref>{{cite web |date=18 August 2016 |title=Anupam Kher will take you into the past with his new TV show Bharatvarsh |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/anupam-kher-will-take-you-into-the-past-with-his-new-tv-show-bharatvarsh/story-J3slMMaJR94j7sceKZfbSJ.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728075155/http://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/anupam-kher-will-take-you-into-the-past-with-his-new-tv-show-bharatvarsh/story-J3slMMaJR94j7sceKZfbSJ.html |archive-date=28 July 2017 |access-date=3 September 2016 |website=Hindustantimes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=17 August 2016 |title=Anupam Kher's new TV show Bharatvarsh: All you need to know about the series |url=http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/anupam-khers-new-tv-show-bharatvarsh-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-series-2961770.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101212417/http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/anupam-khers-new-tv-show-bharatvarsh-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-series-2961770.html |archive-date=1 November 2016 |access-date=3 September 2016 |website=Firstpost}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Discover-India-with-Anupam-Kher/articleshow/6020216.cms |title=Anupam Kher to host interactive quiz show 'Discover India' |date=8 June 2010 |access-date=30 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104003245/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-06-08/news-interviews/28311556_1_anupam-kher-quiz-discover-india |archive-date=4 November 2012 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live}}</ref> In late 2016, Anupam Kher produced ''[[Khwaabon Ki Zamin Par]]'', a TV drama airing on [[Zindagi (TV channel)|Zindagi]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/anupam-kher-does-a-cameo-in-his-debut-tv-production-khwaabon-ki-zamin-par/story-iW3Nf0KSlRZvLmvTFhBA9O.html |title=Anupam Kher does a cameo in his debut TV production Khwaabon Ki Zamin Par |date=10 October 2016 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |access-date=31 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731053113/https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/anupam-kher-does-a-cameo-in-his-debut-tv-production-khwaabon-ki-zamin-par/story-iW3Nf0KSlRZvLmvTFhBA9O.html |archive-date=31 July 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Starting in fall of 2018, Anupam Kher starred in NBC medical drama TV series ''[[New Amsterdam (2018 TV series)|New Amsterdam]]''<ref>{{cite web |date=12 October 2018 |title=NBC picks Anupam Kher's US TV show New Amsterdam for a full season |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/anupam-kher-new-amsterdam-nbc-full-season-5398467/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013022816/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/anupam-kher-new-amsterdam-nbc-full-season-5398467/ |archive-date=13 October 2018 |access-date=12 October 2018 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref> as Dr. Vijay Kapoor (a neurologist). He also appeared as Shahbaz Karim in the [[BBC1]] drama ''[[Mrs Wilson]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Anupam Kher's British mini-series Mrs Wilson premieres on BBC One |url=https://www.cinestaan.com/articles/2018/nov/28/17124/anupam-kher-s-british-mini-series-mrs-wilson-premieres-on-bbc-one |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215225856/https://www.cinestaan.com/articles/2018/nov/28/17124/anupam-kher-s-british-mini-series-mrs-wilson-premieres-on-bbc-one |archive-date=15 December 2018 |access-date=12 December 2018 |website=Cinestaan}}</ref> Kher is the founder of Actor Prepares, an acting institute based in Mumbai.<ref>{{Cite news |last=SNS |date=10 May 2022 |title=Anupam Kher's Actor Prepares select 25 youth from NGO for a special workshop to learn theatre |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/entertainment/theatre/anupam-khers-actor-prepares-select-25-youth-ngo-special-workshop-learn-theatre-1503070278.html |work=The Statesman |access-date=29 December 2023}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Kher married actress Madhumati Kapoor in 1979, but divorced after a few years.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kumar |first=Ramesh |title=कहां हैं अनुपम खेर की पहली पत्नी? कई फिल्मों में किया काम, टूट चुकी है दूसरी शादी, अब जी रहीं ऐसी जिंदगी |url=https://hindi.news18.com/photogallery/entertainment/bollywood-anupam-kher-first-wife-madhumalti-kapoor-who-was-actress-in-hindi-cinema-spending-her-old-age-alone-know-divorce-reason-5459135-page-2.html |access-date=10 September 2023 |work=News18 |date=8 March 2023 |language=hi}}</ref> In 1985, he married actress [[Kirron Kher]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Anupam Kher shares wedding pic to wish wife Kirron Kher on anniversary, says 'loved the lived quality of our lives together' |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/anupam-kher-shares-wedding-pic-to-wish-wife-kirron-kher-on-anniversary-says-loved-the-lived-quality-of-our-lives-together/story-GyLFIMQzLC2dWnbcp5xTXO.html |date=26 August 2019 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |access-date=18 May 2020 |archive-date=4 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204094208/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/anupam-kher-shares-wedding-pic-to-wish-wife-kirron-kher-on-anniversary-says-loved-the-lived-quality-of-our-lives-together/story-GyLFIMQzLC2dWnbcp5xTXO.html |url-status=live}}</ref> who is a [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha|Member of Parliament]] from [[Chandigarh]], belonging to the [[BJP]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/anupam-kher-on-kirron-i-dont-get-to-meet-my-wife-much-now/ |title=Anupam Kher on Kirron: I don't get to meet my wife much now |date=2 July 2014 |website=The Indian Express |language=en-IN |access-date=31 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731062727/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/anupam-kher-on-kirron-i-dont-get-to-meet-my-wife-much-now/ |archive-date=31 July 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=TOI>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/delhi-times/anupam-kher-a-retake-of-lifes-scenes/articleshow/15884674.cms |title=Anupam Kher: A retake of life's scenes |newspaper=The Times of India |access-date=31 May 2007 |first=Anubha |last=Sawhney |date=13 July 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608130811/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/delhi-times/Anupam-Kher-A-retake-of-lifes-scenes/articleshow/15884674.cms |archive-date=8 June 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> Her son, his stepson, is actor [[Sikandar Kher]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/sikandar-kher-reveals-why-he-cant-ask-anupam-kher-to-recommend-his-name-for-films-2000691 |title=Sikandar Kher Reveals Why He Can't Ask Anupam Kher To 'Recommend His Name' For Films |website=NDTV.com |date=7 March 2017 |access-date=31 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731062727/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/sikandar-kher-reveals-why-he-cant-ask-anupam-kher-to-recommend-his-name-for-films-2000691 |archive-date=31 July 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2010, he was appointed as the goodwill ambassador of the [[Pratham]] Education Foundation, which strives to improve children's education in India.<ref name="Anupam Kher tells us about his new role">{{cite web |url=http://movies.rediff.com/report/2010/oct/06/anupam-khers-new-role.htm |title=Anupam Kher's new role |publisher=movies.rediff.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101007074237/http://movies.rediff.com/report/2010/oct/06/anupam-khers-new-role.htm |archive-date=7 October 2010 |url-status=dead |access-date=26 October 2010}}</ref> Kher is an ardent supporter of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) and Indian prime minister [[Narendra Modi]].<ref name=":3"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/don-t-mind-being-called-chamcha-of-narendra-modi-anupam-kher/story-98vyBaWqob1gXRm1q6dKoN.html |title=Don't mind being called 'chamcha' of Narendra Modi: Anupam Kher |date=12 March 2016 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |access-date=31 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731062724/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/don-t-mind-being-called-chamcha-of-narendra-modi-anupam-kher/story-98vyBaWqob1gXRm1q6dKoN.html |archive-date=31 July 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/anupam-kher-meets-narendra-modi-says-pms-vision-for-india-is-reassuring-2211993.html |title=Anupam Kher Meets Narendra Modi, Says PM's Vision for India is Reassuring |website=News18 |date=July 2019 |access-date=31 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731062724/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/anupam-kher-meets-narendra-modi-says-pms-vision-for-india-is-reassuring-2211993.html |archive-date=31 July 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On 20 September 2021, Kher was awarded an [[Honorary degree|honorary]] [[doctorate degree]] in [[Philosophy]] of [[Hindu Studies]] by the [[Hindu University of America]].<ref>{{cite news |date=20 September 2021 |title='Address me as Dr Kher': Proud Anupam Kher welcomes honorary doctorate by Hindu University of America |website=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/address-me-as-dr-kher-proud-anupam-kher-welcomes-honorary-doctorate-by-hindu-university-of-america/articleshow/86358302.cms |access-date=20 September 2021}}</ref>

==Awards and honours==
{{main|List of awards and nominations received by Anupam Kher}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Anupam Kher}}
* {{official website|https://theanupamkher.com/}} – Anupam kher
* {{IMDb name|0451600}}
*[http://www.anupamkherfoundation.org/ Anupam Kher Foundation]
* [http://www.actorprepares.net/ Anupam Kher's Actor Prepares]
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{{Anupam Kher}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards for Anupam Kher
| list =
{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Art}}
{{National Film Award Special Jury Award feature film}}
{{Filmfare Award for Best Actor}}
{{Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor}}
{{Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor}}
{{ScreenAwardBestSupportingActor}}
{{IIFAAwardBestSupportingActor}}
{{Screen Award Best Comedian}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Kher, Anupam}}
[[Category:1955 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian male film actors]]
[[Category:Indian male voice actors]]
[[Category:Male actors in Hindi cinema]]
[[Category:Indian male stage actors]]
[[Category:National School of Drama alumni]]
[[Category:National School of Drama]]
[[Category:Indian drama teachers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts]]
[[Category:Filmfare Awards winners]]
[[Category:Screen Awards winners]]
[[Category:Male actors from Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:Actors from Shimla]]
[[Category:Dayanand Anglo-Vedic Schools System alumni]]
[[Category:Indian male comedians]]
[[Category:Kashmiri actors]]
[[Category:Kashmiri Pandits]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in arts]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:Film producers from Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:Film directors from Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:Male actors in Punjabi cinema]]
[[Category:Male actors in Tamil cinema]]
[[Category:Male actors in Marathi cinema]]
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[[Category:Special Jury Award (feature film) National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Special Mention (feature film) National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:International Indian Film Academy Awards winners]]
[[Category:Himachal Pradesh University alumni]]