Anupam Kher (born on March 7, 1955) is one of India's most distinguished actors, a director, producer, and philanthropist whose career has spanned over four decades. An influential figure in global entertainment, Kher has starred in over 540 films, predominantly in Hindi cinema, earning him immense critical and commercial success. His contribution to the arts has been recognized with two National Film Awards and eight Filmfare Awards. Further, the Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri in 2004 and the Padma Bhushan in 2016. He is married to actress and politician, Kirron Kher. Hailing from a Kashmiri Pandit family, Kher's journey began in Shimla, he attended D.A.V. School and briefly studied economics before abandoning it for his true passion: theatre. After attending Panjab University, he graduated in 1978 from the prestigious National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi. Kher's cinematic breakthrough came in 1984 with the critically acclaimed film, Saaransh, where, at the age of 29, he masterfully portrayed an elderly father, earning him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor. The late 1980s and early 1990s cemented his position as a versatile powerhouse with box-office hits like Ram Lakhan (1989), Tridev (1989), Chandni (1989), and Chaalbaaz (1989). His unique skill in effortlessly oscillating between negative roles in Karma (1986) and Tezaab (1988), comic timing (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, 1995), and high drama (Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, 1998) showcases his immense range. He also received the National Film Award for Special Jury for the nuanced role in Daddy (1989). Kher's international career flourished after his appearance in Gurinder Chadha's hit Bend It Like Beckham (2002). He went on to star in major foreign productions, including Bride and Prejudice (2004), Ang Lee's Lust, Caution (2007), Silver Linings Playbook (2012), and Hotel Mumbai (2019). His performance in the 2018 film The Boy with the Top Knot earned him a BAFTA nomination, highlighting his global appeal. Beyond acting, Kher has ventured into directing (Om Jai Jagadish), producing (Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara), and writing. He is also a respected author, having penned bestsellers such as The Best Thing About You is You! (2011) and Lessons Life Taught Me Unknowingly (2019).