Father of the Week: Anupam Kher

Born 7th March 1955, Kher has acted in over 450 films in approximately six different languages. Although all of his roles have been individually recognised, many of which he has received awards for, it is his role as a father that puts him at the forefront of his league. The often-underrated actor has emoted the many shades of a father perfectly, making him very popular for these particular roles.

Kher's first role as a father was in the 1984 melodrama Saransh, where he played the grieving father of a deceased young man and later a supportive father figure to a budding actress. This marked the beginning of a remarkable lifetime career as he went on to his next project as a father, Tezaab (1988), a film that required Kher to play a drunkard and abusive dad who forces his daughter into lewd dancing. Being a thorough professional, and despite the role being the complete opposite from the previous character, he once again did the portrayal complete justice.

As the years went on, it became the norm to see Kher acting as the father. However, it was not until 1989's Daddy, where he played Anand, a confused and helpless drunkard who loved his daughter immensely, that he earned a National Award in recognition.

It is almost unanimously agreed that the 90s worked as the best era for Kher; his versatility as an actor shone brightly with his roles in various award winning films. From the happy-go-lucky father of Shah Rukh Khan's Raj in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) to the doting father of Tina (Rani Mukherjee) in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Kher's spot on acting has been loudly applauded. However, one of his character's that brought tears to the eyes is that of Gulshan Bakshi in the 1999 film Kya Kehna!. Based on the sensitive topic of illegitimate pregnancy, Kher played the father of Priya Bakshi (Preity Zinta), an unmarried pregnant girl. Immensely hurt by the apple of his eye, Bakshi spurns his daughter initially and subsequently experiences a myriad of emotions before he accepted her with open arms again and supports her to the best of his abilities. What a nuanced and powerful character and reminiscent of a truly heartbroken father.

Kher's roles as a father has also spilled over to Western cinema such as Bend It Like Beckham (2002), Bride And Prejudice (2004) and The Mistress Of Spices (2005). This proves him as a truly remarkable asset to not just the Indian film industry, but also in Hollywood.

Author: Mohini N.

Editors: Aradhna K. and Jenifer Y.

Graphics: Saraa K.