At
the age of 28,
Anupam Kher played the role of a 65-year-old retired school teacher in his debut
film, Saaransh, helmed by Mahesh Bhatt. Though it must have been a challenge
for him to essay a character almost thrice his age then, the actor pulled it
off with great conviction, and received praise and critical acclaim.
34
years ago, on this very date, Saaransh had released that established Anupam
Kher’s acting career. The Shimla-bred actor enrolled and passed out of
Chandigarh’s Punjab University and the National School of Drama in Delhi (an
institute where he would later be the Chairman), with a gold medal in acting.
He then took up teaching dramatics in Lucknow till finally landing up in Mumbai
starting off his glorious career on the silver screen with National
award-winning roles in Saaransh and Daddy. He carried forward his golden streak
in films like Karma, Lamhe, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge,Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi
Maara, Khosla Ka Ghosla, A Wednesday and Special 26 to name a few.
He
extended his genius into production of such national and international award
winning films such as Bariwali and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Maara.
Making
his country proud at the global level, the thespian went international and
worked with acclaimed directors such as Gurinder Chaddha, David O Russell, Ang
Lee and Woody Allen. He is credited to be the only Indian actor to have shared
screen space with the legendary actor Robert De Niro in the Oscar nominated
movie Silver Linings Playbook.
Currently
one of India’s most successful crossover actor, Kher has the distinction of
having bagged two nominations at the Screen Actors Guild Awards for Silver
Linings Playbook (2013) & The Big Sick (2018) and a BAFTA nomination
for The Boy With A Topknot. In addition to his popular shows, Sense8 and The Indian
Detective, the thespian has just wrapped NBC’s medical drama and now been
signed on to BBC’s highly anticipated drama, Mrs Wilson.
Not
one to rest on his laurels, in 2005 Anupam Kher established his dream project Actor
Prepares, a premier acting school in Mumbai, where he takes time off his hectic
schedule to personally impart some of his acting secrets to tomorrow’s actors
and superstars.
In
2008,
years of hard work and planning finally culminated in the establishment of The
Anupam Kher Foundation to spread education among less privileged children and to
provide palliative care to people with life-limiting diseases. Since 2015 he has been appointed
the Ambassador for the UN’s HeForShe Campaign, which strives for gender
equality.
The
seasoned actor has won two highest civilian honour including Padma Shri and
Padma Bhushan, two National Awards and eight Filmfare Awards, among other
awards, special mentions and recognition, over the span of his three and a half
decade long career. With a filmography that is over 500 films strong, Kher has
also added value to Indian theatre with his notable works.
Sharing
the news with his fans on his social media, Kher said, “And I complete 34 years in movies.
#Saaransh, my first film was released on 25th of May, 1984. While everyone told me that playing a 65-year-old in the movie
could have been the biggest mistake of my life, it became a defining moment of
my life and there was no looking back. It has been an amazing journey so far.
My ups and downs have taught me so much about people, life and entertainment
business. Thank you @MaheshNBhatt Saab and the audience for showering upon love
and support.”
