By Jagmohan Singh Barhok

On His Birth Anniversary

Anupam Kher made his presence adequately felt in Mahesh Bhatt’s “Saaransh” (1984) also featuring Rohini Hattangadi & Soni Razdan followd by his roles in “Utsav”, “Aitbar” & “Arjun”. Interestingly, the actor made comedy as his forte as is evident from many of his later films winning Five Filmfare Awards as a comedian for “Ram Lakhan” (1989), “Lamhe” (1991), “Khel” (1992), “Darr” (1993) and “Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge” (1995).

His helpness, when he goes to receive the ashes of his son who dies in New York, and the bitter experiences that follows are some of the highlights of his much talked about film. The actor was rightly bestowed with the Filmfare Award for his sterling performance in “Saaransh”. A recipient of two National and eight Filmfare Awards, the actor has appeared in over 500 films.

Married to actress kirron Kher of Chandigarh, the actor who hails from Shimla has had his education at both the places .He was cast opposite thespian Dilip Kumar in Subhash Ghai’s “Karma” (1986), sort of an ‘acid test’ for the actor.

Avtar Bhogal’s ‘Zakhmi Aurat’, Tezaab , Daddy ,Chandni, Parinda, ChaalBaaz, Bhrashtachar, Umar 55 Ki Dil Bachpan Ka, Shreemaan Aashique, Laadla, Lootere, Refugee, Gulshan Rai,s ‘Tridev’ & ‘The Accidental Prime Minister’ are some of his other films.

I met the actor twice in 1988 & in 1992 during the shooting of Pahlaj Nihlani’s Govinda -Divya Bharti starrer “Shola Aur Shabnam” (1992) at Natraj Studios, Andheri . I found him too reserved or introvert -‘not yielding type’. After his wife became MP in the ruling BJP, the actor turned a highly vocal critic as is evident from his difference of opinion with fellow actor Naseeruddin Shah .Known for raising issues relating to Kashmiri Pandits and their rehabilitation.

Born this Day in 1955 at Shimla, Punjab, now in Himachal Pradesh.