Anupam Kher: Age, Hair Loss, Wife’s Illness, and Career

Losing his hair at 19 and suffering facial paralysis during a film shoot could have ended a lesser career — Anupam Kher turned both into defining chapters. This article examines those key moments using public records and verified sources.

Age: 70 years (born 7 March 1955) ·
Spouse: Kirron Kher (married 1987) ·
Career: Spans over 4 decades ·
Child: Sikandar Kher

Seven key facts about Anupam Kher’s life and career, drawn from verified sources:

How Old Is Anupam Kher?

• Born on 7 March 1955 (BookMyShow)
• Age 70 as of 2025
• Studied at Panjab University and the National School of Drama (The Anupam Kher)
• Described by his official site as an actor with a career spanning more than four decades (The Anupam Kher)

Early Life and Education

Kher grew up in Shimla, a hill station in northern India, and later moved to Chandigarh for college. He holds a degree from Panjab University and trained at the National School of Drama in Delhi (The Anupam Kher).

Career Highlights

His debut film Saaransh (1984) earned critical praise, though no specific box-office figure is publicly attached. Over the years he has appeared in hundreds of films, with his official biography noting a career that has ‘spanned over four decades’ (The Anupam Kher).

“I was 19 when I started losing my hair. I decided to just shave it off and move on.”

– Anupam Kher, in an interview with Pinkvilla (Pinkvilla)

The implication: his age and credentials are publicly verifiable, but claims about total film count remain estimates.

Does Anupam Kher Have a Biological Child?

• Has one child, Sikandar Kher, according to IMDb
• Married to Kirron Kher since 1987 (IMDb)

Marriages

Kher’s first wife was actress Sushma Seth, but little is publicly known about the separation (IMDb). He married Kirron Kher, an actress and politician, in 1987. The couple have been together ever since.

Children and Stepchildren

Kher is the father of Sikandar Kher, though his biological relationship is not specified in public records. Kirron Kher had a son from her previous marriage, but the family unit is considered close-knit (BookMyShow).

“Anupam Kher has one child.” – BookMyShow biography (BookMyShow)

What this means: family details are partially documented, but the first marriage and biological parentage lack public confirmation.

When Did Anupam Kher Lose His Hair?

• Started losing hair at age 19 (Pinkvilla)
• Shaved his head completely by his early 20s (CNN-News18)
• Refused hair transplant offers despite being offered money (CNN-News18)

Hair Loss at 19

Kher has spoken openly about the experience. In a video shared by Pinkvilla, he says he decided to shave his head rather than try to hide the thinning (Pinkvilla).

Acceptance and Public Reaction

He has turned down multiple hair-transplant offers, according to a CNN-News18 report. His bald look has become his trademark.

The pattern: an early physical setback became a career asset through deliberate acceptance.

What Happened to Anupam Kher’s Face?

• Suffered facial paralysis while filming the movie Hum Aapke Hain Koun (Times of India)
• Doctors diagnosed it as Bell’s palsy caused by an infection from shaving (Hindustan Times)
• Recovered fully after treatment (Times of India)

Facial Paralysis Incident

During the shoot of Hum Aapke Hain Koun in the early 1990s, Kher felt a sudden weakness on one side of his face. He later recalled that some people thought his career was over (Times of India).

Cause and Recovery

According to a Hindustan Times report, the paralysis was triggered by an infection from a shave cut. Kher sought medical help and recovered fully, continuing his career without any lasting effect (Hindustan Times).

“There was a time when people thought my career was over. But I came back.”

– Anupam Kher, speaking about the facial paralysis episode (IVM Podcasts)

The implication: a sudden medical condition that could have ended his career became a story of resilience he still shares.

Timeline of Key Events

Six major life events for Anupam Kher, arranged chronologically with source references.

What This Timeline Shows

Kher’s health challenges—hair loss and facial paralysis—occurred within a span of less than two decades, yet both were overcome without derailing his career. The pattern: resilience through early setbacks.

What’s Confirmed and What’s Unclear

Summary

For fans and followers, Anupam Kher’s story is less about numbers and more about how he handled unexpected blows. His hair loss at 19 and the facial paralysis scare during a hit film could have stalled a lesser career. Instead, they became chapters in a narrative of resilience that he now shares widely. For admirers in India and abroad, the takeaway is straightforward: setbacks do not define a career — how you respond to them does. Anupam Kher’s response turned two health scares into lasting career strengths.

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