Anupam Kher is an Indian actor and the former Chairman of Film and Television Institute of India. He is the recipient of two National Film Awards and eight Filmfare Awards. He has appeared in over 500 films in several languages and many plays. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his performance in Saaransh.
- Real Name: Anupam Kher
- Date of Birth: 7th March 1955
- Age: (as in July 2018) 63 years
- Nationality: Indian
- Religion: Hinduism
- Place of Birth: Shimla
- Education: Graduate in Theater Drama from National School of Drama (New Delhi)
- Height: 5 ft 7" (170 cm) approximately
- Weight: 159 lbs (72 kg) approximately
- Hair Color: (Bald)
- Eye Color: Dark Brown
- Father: Late Pushkarnath Kher (former Clerk in Forest Department)
- Mother: Dulari Kher
- Brother: Raju Kher (Actor)
- Marital Status: Married
- Wife: Kirron Kher (Actress)
1. An actor is only a part of the film, not the whole, and very often, he is moulded by the director. That is why a good director can make so much difference to a film. Anupam Kher
2. People tend to scare you pointing out your shortfalls. If you voluntarily admit your faults, then people won't have anything to point out. Anupam Kher
3. I was born in a poor family, a lower middle class family. My father was a clerk in the forest department. I was very bad at studies. I was not very good at sports, also. Anupam Kher
4. I was 28 when I played the role of a 65 year old man in my first film. Anupam Kher
5. I wrote a book on life coaching, because my life became my own reference point how to live. Anupam Kher
6. When I staged the play and narrated my story to the audience, people found it amazing that after facing so many hardships, I have gone on to do 482 films. Anupam Kher
7. Being a popular director or actor's son can be frightening in this industry. What if you are not able to make it? Anupam Kher
8. It is important to be financially savvy when you turn producer. As a director, you just need to have a good script in hand. Anupam Kher
9. One time I nearly experienced failure was when I was acting in 'Hum Aapke Hain Kaun' in 1994. One day, I woke up and found that part of my face was paralysed. Anupam Kher
10. I was able to overcome my failures because I was always confident of my abilities and was sure I could achieve what I had set out for. Anupam Kher
11. I was neither good in sports nor at studies, but I always wanted to stand out and be noticed. Anupam Kher
12. I'm very happy doing what I'm doing; I don't think I'm prepared to devote my time to politics. When I am, I'd like to give it 100%. I'm not in the frame of mind, and I'm too greedy an actor to do that. Anupam Kher
13. I'm not a cribber, or someone who criticises. People who criticise are not doers. I'm a doer.Anupam Kher
14. Actors in the film industry are usually wary of expressing their opinions on the issues of the day, politics especially. Anupam Kher
15. I've always been the most vocal person socially about things that I feel are important. Anupam Kher
16. In India, film sets are like a family atmosphere.Anupam Kher
17. I have played 50 different kinds of fathers and villains. Only mediocre actors play the part the same way.Anupam Kher
18. It's your own fear of failure that stops you from doing things.Anupam Kher
19. I cannot take away the fact I am a small-town boy from India, from a lower-middle class family, and was actually standing in front of De Niro - not on an equal level, but as an actor, on the same pedestal. Anupam Kher
20. You may be in a medical or engineering college, but not all will stand first in class. It depends on who studies the most. Anupam Kher
21. In every role that I do - whether I'm a teacher, actor or mentor - I do it with total dedication and as much honesty as I feel is required because there's no alternative to honesty and hard work. Anupam Kher
22. I've done 480-odd films, have my own acting school, won awards, etc. and now host a successful TV chat show - what else can I ask for? Yes, of course, every journey has its ups and downs, but that's part of life. Anupam Kher
23. I think in my mother tongue. That's Hindi. Anupam Kher
24. Drama school, you know, I own an acting school, Actor Prepares. Anupam Kher
25. I don't think that I will say that we are less talented in Bollywood, but our functioning is different. We cater to a different kind of audience. Anupam Kher
26. I think if you laugh at your troubles and tell the whole world what went wrong, you can't be frightened by anything. Anupam Kher
27. If my life can inspire people, then a television show where guests talk about their challenges and what makes them unique would work. Anupam Kher
28. I'm looking to do an honest job, and I don't have any Indian talk show as a reference point. I'm not looking down on them, but I want to do what Oprah did. Anupam Kher
29. After working with Woody Allen, sharing screen space with De Niro was a dream come true.Anupam Kher
30. As for my stand, I think it has become difficult in our country to be a Hindu and a liberal at the same time. Anupam Kher
31. I speak for Kashmiri pundits because injustice has been done to them, and the political discourse doesn't give them enough importance. Anupam Kher
32. I have always believed that directing a film is like telling a story. You have to tell it well so that it is appreciated. Anupam Kher
33. I still feel I belong to the theatre. There is nothing more challenging and exciting for an actor than performing before a live audience. The stage is the real testing ground for an actor. Anupam Kher
34. You are never too old for applause. What's satisfying is that I'm being appreciated for what I was trained for. Anupam Kher
35. I approach every role with the same commitment because I'm being paid for it. To not do so would be unethical. Anupam Kher
36. Every time I've crossed to a new level of film acting, the film has been a breakthrough project. Anupam Kher
37. My first British film was Gurinder Chadha's 'Bend It Like Beckham,' which was a huge international success. Anupam Kher
38. Silver Linings' has proved a golden opportunity for me. Anupam Kher
39. I discovered that the world frightens you with your shortcomings, but if you do not worry about it, you are liberated. Anupam Kher
40. I know that some of the characters I played were trash. But then, I chose to take up those roles, as I enjoyed doing them. Anupam Kher
41. There are many brilliant actors, including our own Dilip Kumar, but Robert de Niro is something else. Anupam Kher
42. Birthdays are meant for special occasions. Anupam Kher
43.In day-to-day life, our brain sends lots of signals. In acting, there are no signals. You have to believe in what you are trying to portray. Anupam Kher
44. Success is boring... failure is exciting and more entertaining. Anupam Kher
45. Harper Collins gave me a letter of intent saying that they want me to pen down my autobiography. When I was recollecting the incidents of my life for that, I selected only those incidents which were turning points in my life. I staged it instead of writing it. Anupam Kher
46. I would like congratulate everyone who was a part of 'Life of Pi.' Anupam Kher
47. I was failed in all other aspects of filmmaking and was completely bankrupt because my dreams were higher than realities. So I started my acting school in a small room with 12 students to prepare future actors and actresses. Anupam Kher
48. Our cinema has evolved in last 60 years because we have made people happy through our films. The main purpose of our storyline is to spread happiness. Our cinema has an emotional connect. Anupam Kher
49. We only see the glamour side of stars but not how they've achieved it. Anupam Kher
50. I started doing motivational tours. I've seen all kinds of people, from the CEOs to the lowest executive, opening up to their fears. We don't introspect as much as we should. Anupam Kher
51. I had spent many days hungry; had slept on railway stations at times because I did not have money to pay for a hotel room... there were moments when I felt I had compromised my dignity as a human being and as an actor. Anupam Kher
52. I am aware that as an actor, I can blame others for the failure of a film, the director, the script, choice of co-stars, timing of the release and so on. But now, as the director, I will have to shoulder all the blame. Anupam Kher
53. It's important for couples to be friends first and to respect each other as individuals. Anupam Kher
54. Our school not only makes you an actor, it makes you understand who you actually are as well... it gives you discipline and punctuality. It also teaches you a way of life. Anupam Kher
55. Practice makes an actor excel. It is like cycling and motor driving. It is an art, which can be learnt and practised. Anupam Kher
56. My first Hindi film as a leading man was Mahesh Bhatt's 'Saaransh,' which immediately established me as someone who knows the craft. Anupam Kher
57. I enjoy being recognized. I'll be very sad if people stop recognizing me. I'll be very sad if I'm not interviewed, because that's a very amazing process. Anupam Kher
58. Every individual suffers from the fear of failure, but you can change your destiny only when you overcome it. Anupam Kher