Anupam was born in a Kashmiri Pandit family on March 7th 1955. Anupam Kher lived in Shimla, India and grew up in a joint family; even tough his dad belonged to lower middle class stratum he made sure that Anupam was given the best upbringing.

Anupam was not even an average student in school, but his parents never cribbed about his academics; when he failed in the 10th grade, his father took him to a 5-Star Hotel and treated him and that sure surprised Anupam, but his father did reason out by saying, “Because I never want you to be afraid of failure”. This hit Anupam in a big way and the quote is still his biggest motto in life.

In school, Anupam started a Drama Club called “Anupam Kala Sangam”; he later attended college in Punjab University and the only reason he did so was because the University had an amazing theatre program for college students.

Anupam was active in theatre and it was then, that he realized his true calling and went to join National School of Drama. Anupam auditioned for Richard Attenborough’s ‘Gandhi’ for the role of Nehru, but despite rehearsing for days he completely blanked out and the only job he was offered was one line dubbing for the movie.

Anupam knew that in order to pursue his acting dreams he had to be in Mumbai and in 1981, he moved to the city of dreams with his younger brother who worked in a factory to support Anupam.

Anupam struggled for three years and had started getting physically weak and even started balding, so when Mahesh Bhatt offered him a role in ‘Saaransh’ in which he had to play a 65 year old man at the young age of 27, Anupam was completed distressed. However, after listening to the script, Anupam accepted the role and after rehearsing for six months he was greatly disappointed when the producers Rajshri Productions decided to cast last actor Sanjiv Kumar instead, but it was his determination that got him the role.

Anupam still remembers Sanjiv’s reaction after seeing his performance in ‘Saaransh’. Sanjiv Kumar had tears in his eyes and said, “I couldn't have done this role better, Anupam”.

After ‘Saaransh’, there was no stopping for Anupam who has acted in over 200. Anupam met Kiron in 1986. Kiron was a divorcee with a son Sikandar; the two fell in love and got married. Anupam continued to shoot non-stop. Exertion took a toll on his health and he suffered from facial paralysis while shooting for ‘Hum Aapke Hain Kaun’. It took the actors months to recover and he also decided to slow down in life.

Anupam Kher started his journey in crossover cinema with Gurinder Chaddha’s ‘Bend It Like Beckham’ and won applause for his performance. Anupam made his directorial debut with ‘Om Jai Jagdish’, which didn’t fare that well at the box-office.

Anupam also served as the Chairman of the Censor Board committee, but was sacked after a political controversy. Anupam Kher was also the Director of National School of Drama between 2001 and 2004. Anupam Kher runs an acting school in Mumbai called ‘Actor Prepares’. Anupam’s son Sikandar is making his debut in Bollywood thus; continuing the legacy of his father.