Anupam Kher is an Indian actor who has appeared in several hundreds films and many plays. Though mainly appearing in Bollywood (Hindi) films, he has had roles in some films from other nations as well most notably the 2013 Oscar-winning "Silver Linings Playbook," directed by David O. Russell. He has held the post of Chairman of the Censor Board and National School of Drama in India. In 2004, he was honoured with the Padma Shri by the Government of India for his contribution to Indian cinema. Kher has won the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role five times.

Kher made his acting debut in the 1982 Hindi movie "Aagman." Then in 1984 came "Saaransh," where 28-year-old Kher played a retired middle class Maharashtrian man who has lost his son. He hosted TV shows such as "Say Na Something To Anupam Uncle," "Sawaal Dus Crore Ka," "Lead India" and the recent "The Anupam Kher Show - Kucch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai," which has become a big hit on its first episode when Shah Rukh Khan was invited as his guest. He has had many comic roles but has also played the villain such as his acclaimed role as terrorist Dr. Dang in "Karma." For his role in "Daddy," he received the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance.

He has starred alongside Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan many times in films such as "Darr," "Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge," "Chaahat," "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai," "Mohabbatein" and "Veer-Zaara."

He ventured into directing with "Om Jai Jagadish" and has been a producer. He produced and starred in the film "Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara." He received the Best Actor Award from the Karachi International Film Festival for his performance. The role of the Police Commissioner Rathor, played by him in critically and commercially acclaimed "A Wednesday" is also very much appreciated.

Kher is known internationally for "Bend It Like Beckham," "Bride and Prejudice," "Speedy Singhs," his appearance on the hit TV show "ER" and in "The Mistress of Spices" and "Lust, Caution." In 2012 he co-starred in the Academy Award-winning "Silver Linings Playbook."

Kher has written and starred in a play about his own life called "Kucch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai," which is directed by Feroz Abbas Khan.

He was been appointed in 2010 as the goodwill ambassador of the Pratham Education Foundation, which strives to improve children's education in India.

He is widely regarded as an intellectual talk show participant.

In 2009, Kher has given his Hindi voice to Carl Fredricksen in the Disney-Pixar 3D animated film "Up," which was his first dubbing role and his very first voice role.

Indian Heritage, Actors, Entertainment Industry, Asian Heritage, Entertainers, Asia & The Pacific, Celebrity, Film Industry Acting, Television & Film,