It becomes quite difficult to categorize an actor like Anupam Kher. He is one actor who has tried out everything from being a dreaded villain to an adorable father. Anupam Kher was one of those star-struck young guns who left his hometown Shimla to try out his luck in the city of dreams, Bombay.

Luck favoured him, as he got hold of a plum role in Mahesh Bhatt's Saaransh as his debutant venture. But the role required this 28-year-young man to play the 65-year-old principal opposite Rohini Hattangadi.

Born in 1955, this actor has done a variety of roles in his short life span. He has most convincingly done roles like the most hated Dr. Dang in Karma to an understanding and loving father as in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. He has won eight Filmfare awards so far for some of his memorable movies like Saaransh, Darr, Khel, Ram Lakhan, Daddy, Lamhe and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge.

He is quite attached to plays as well. The passion for stage led him to do some memorable plays like Salgirah with his wife Kirron Kher. It is always a matter of delight to watch this great actor either on the big screen or on stage though like many great performers.

He ventured into directing with Om Jai Jagdish (2003) and has also been a producer. He produced and starred in the film Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Maara (2005). He received the Best Actor Award from the Karachi International Film Festival for his performance in the film.

Until recently he served as chairman of the Censor Board. He is an alumnus of National School of Drama (1978 batch) and was its director between 2001 and 2004.

Kher is known internationally for Bend It Like Beckham (2002), Bride and Prejudice (2004), his appearance on the hit TV show ER, and more recently in The Mistress of Spices (2006) and Lust, Caution (2007). In 2012, he co-starred in the Academy Award-nominated Silver Linings Playbook.

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

Among Hindi films, he kept doing supporting roles in films such as Dabangg, Striker, Desi Boyz, Kyaa Super Kool Hain Hum, Midnight's Children, Mai among others. He was last seen in Special 26.