Anupam Kher turns 66: Rare photos of the versatile actor

Anupam Kher, one of the finest character actors in the Hindi film industry, turns 66 today. In a career spanning nearly four decades, Kher has starred in hundreds of movies in several languages. (Photo: Express archive)

Anupam Kher debuted in Hindi cinema with 1982's Aagaman. But it was his next film, Mahesh Bhatt's Saaransh, that earned him praise from audiences and critics. (Photo: Express archive)

Kher's next big success came with multi-starrer Subhash Ghai movie Karma. He played the role of villainous Dr Dang opposite cinema icon Dilip Kumar. (Photo: Express archive)

His work in Tezaab was his next hit and it made him a popular name in Hindi cinema. Here, he can be seen performing in the play Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai in Ludhiana. (Photo: Express archive)

It was Ram Lakhan that established Kher as one of Hindi film industry's best actors. He managed to distinguish himself among heavyweights like Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Madhuri Dixit, Dimple Kapadia, Amrish Puri and Raakhee. Here, Anupam Kher is posing with Vasu Bhagnani and Rakesh Roshan on the set of the film Om Jai Jagdish. (Photo: Express archive)

Anupam Kher became a big name by the early 1990s. Here, he can be seen with Mithun Chakraborty in the 1993 film Meherbaan. (Photo: Express archive)

The actor is also known for his performance in films like Darr, Bend It Like Beckham, Silver Linings Playbook, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge among others. (Photo: Express archive)

Anupam Kher has won two National Film Awards in his career -- one for 1990's Daddy and the other for 2005's Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara. Here, he can be seen with fellow actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui. (Photo: Express archive)