Name: Kirron Kher (originally Kiran Thakar Singh Sandhu)
Profession: Actress, politician, television personality, singer, producer
Nationality: Indian
Known for: Devdas, Sardari Begum, Bariwali, Rang De Basanti, India’s Got Talent, Member of Parliament from Chandigarh
Biography:
Kirron Kher, born Kiran Thakar Singh Sandhu on June 14, 1952, in Bangalore, Karnataka, into a Punjabi Jat family, has established herself as one of India’s most versatile personalities, excelling as an actress, politician, and television personality.
She grew up in Chandigarh and completed her school education there after initial schooling in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, before graduating from the Department of Indian Theatre at Panjab University, Chandigarh.
Kirron made her film debut in 1983 with the Punjabi feature film “Aasra Pyar Da” and received rave reviews for her performance. Following this, she took a significant hiatus from films until 1996, appearing in only one film during this period – “Pestonjee” (1987), where she acted alongside her future husband Anupam Kher.
During this break, she focused on raising her son Sikandar and worked as a costume designer for her husband, even suggesting the title for the iconic film “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” (1995).
Her return to acting came in the mid-1990s through theatre with the play “Saalgirah,” written by Javed Siddiqui and directed by Feroz Abbas Khan. She then hosted three groundbreaking television shows: “Purushkshetra” on Zee TV, which gained attention for discussing alternative sexuality for the first time while highlighting women’s issues, followed by “Kirron Kher Today” and “Jagte Raho with Kirron Kher”.
Her comeback film was “Sardari Begum” (1996), directed by Shyam Benegal, which earned her the National Film Award – Special Jury Award. She then appeared in Rituparno Ghosh’s Bengali film “Bariwali” (1999), winning the National Film Award for Best Actress, though this sparked controversy when another actress claimed credit for dubbing.
In 2002, Kirron gained nationwide recognition for her performance in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Devdas,” starring alongside Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, and Madhuri Dixit, earning her a Filmfare Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
She won international acclaim for “Khamosh Pani” (Silent Waters) (2003), receiving Best Actress Awards at the Locarno International Film Festival, Karachi International Film Festival, and festivals in Argentina and Cape Town.
Kirron’s political journey began when she joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2009. In May 2014, she was elected to the Lok Sabha from Chandigarh, defeating Congress leader Pawan Bansal with 1,91,362 votes, and was re-elected in 2019 with a margin of 46,970 votes. As an MP, she served on various committees and promised a film city for Chandigarh.
She became a judge on “India’s Got Talent” in 2009 and has been involved with non-profit movements such as Laadli (campaign against female infanticide) and Roko Cancer (cancer awareness campaign). In 2021, she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, and has been undergoing treatment while continuing her professional commitments.
Awards and Accolades:
- Two National Film Awards and four Filmfare Award nominations
- National Film Award – Special Jury Award for “Sardari Begum” (1996)
- National Film Award for Best Actress for “Bariwali” (1999)
- Best Actress Awards at Locarno International Film Festival, Karachi International Film Festival, and international festivals in Argentina and Cape Town for “Khamosh Pani” (2003)
Interesting Facts:
- She changed her name from “Kiran” to “Kirron” in 2003 based on numerological calculations
- She was an avid badminton player and played at the national level with Prakash Padukone (Deepika Padukone’s father)
- She is a foodie with extreme love for samosas and Punjabi cuisine
- She suggested the title for the iconic film “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge”
Social Media:
- Instagram: @kirronkhermp
- Twitter: @KirronKherBJP
- Facebook: Kirron Kher
