Hemant Kher is an Indian actor who rose to fame after his exemplary performance in SonyLIV’s hit web series Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story, directed by Hansal Mehta. In the series, Hemant played the role of Ashwin Mehta, brother of Harshad Mehta. He has also worked as a writer, creative director and acting coach.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Hemant was born on Saturday, 17 December 1977 (age 43 years; as in 2020) in Kosamba, Gujarat. He did his schooling from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, and then he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in Vadodara, Gujarat. He then did a Post Graduate Diploma in Dramatics from the National School of Drama, New Delhi (2000 – 2003).
A rare childhood picture of Hemant Kher
Physical Appearance
Height (Approx): 5′ 7″
Hair Color: Black
Eye colour: dark brown
family and caste
Hemant Kher was born in a middle-class Gujarati family.
parents and siblings
Hemant’s parents are retired school teachers. His father’s name is Ganpat Singh Hamir Singh Kher. He has a sister, Saanvi Piludariya.
Hemant Kher with his parents
Hemant Kher with his sister
Relationships, wife and children
On Thursday, 2 February 2006, Hemant married Urvashi. They have two children, Shiva and Dhriti.
Hemant Kher with his wife
Hemant Kher with his children
livelihood
as an actor
In third grade, Hemant performed a one-act play based on the life of Shravan Kumar (a mythological character from the popular Indian epic Ramayana) in which he played the role of Shravan. In class twelfth, Hemant came to know about the National School of Drama through a booklet enclosed in a letter, which belonged to his teacher. He decided that he had to take admission in NSD. Hemant told his parents about his dream of becoming an actor, but received a harsh response. His parents wanted him to complete his education and get a stable job. In an interview he said,
I came from a farmer family and had no connection with this industry. But somehow I developed the passion for acting in school itself. It was an incident where I came across a brochure of NSD and I felt as if this was written in my destiny. My parents were not supportive of it because acting was not a profession that people liked then. But my father agreed and said that I could do this work only after completing my degree college. Thus, after completing B.Sc in Chemistry, I started my journey in this industry of entertainment.
The first time Hemant appeared for the NSD entrance exam, he failed; However, in his second attempt, he passed the entrance exam. While he was studying in NSD, he came close to many famous Bollywood actors like Pankaj Tripathi and Shyam Pathak (who plays the role of Popatlal in the popular sitcom Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah).
Hemant Kher with other famous actors of NSD
After completing his course in NSD, Hemant came to Mumbai where he had to struggle for even small roles in films and TV shows. Talking about his struggle he said,
I am from a farmer family background. My grandparents had a lot of debt, so most of my parents’ income went toward paying off those debts. So this was a very uncomfortable situation for me. I could not ask money from my parents to survive in Mumbai. After passing out from NSD, I came to Mumbai, tried to audition for many roles.
Hemant gained recognition with the role of Ashwin Mehta in Scam 1992. Ashwin is the brother of late stockbroker Harshad Mehta, who is infamous for orchestrating India’s biggest financial scam.
as a writer
When he was struggling for small roles in films and TV shows, Hemant started working as a writer. His first show as a writer was ‘Shabash India’, which was aired on Zee TV in 2006. After this, Mr. Kher worked for shows like ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs’ (2009), ‘Just’. Dance’ (2011–2012), ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa’ (2012), and ‘Dil Deke Dekho’ (2016).
as a caretaker coach
Hemant has also prepared actors for their performances in films and TV shows. Talking about his role as an acting coach in an interview, he said,
The point is that acting coaching does not mean teaching acting to anyone. It’s about helping them explore their characters. It’s about helping them understand that there may be more layers [to their character], They know how to work. It’s just that the other perspective helps them understand whether they did it right.
His career as an acting coach started with shows like ‘India’s Best Cinestars Ki Khoj’ and ‘India’s Best Dramebaaz’. Hemant got the opportunity to train the cast of the 2018 Bollywood film ‘Friends’. He groomed actors like Jackky Bhagnani and Pratik Gandhi for their roles in the film. He also trained Pratik Gandhi for the role of Harshad Mehta in Scam 1992.
Hemant Kher is training his friends’ artistes
Mr Kher has also worked with some Bollywood actors, such as Hrithik Roshan, Ayushmann Khurrana, Pranutan Bahl and chef Vikas Khanna.
Hemant Kher (second from right) with Chef Vikas Khanna (second from left)
Hemant has conducted many acting workshops like ‘Just Act’ in collaboration with leading casting director Mukesh Chhabra.
Facts/General Knowledge
- In 2020, he won the Gujarati Mid Day Award for Most Versatile Actor.
Hemant Kher is winning the Most Versatile Actor Award
- He was fond of watching films since childhood. He used to entertain everyone in school by imitating Bollywood actors. He used to show movies to his friends by combining the reels collected from outside the theaters and projecting them on a white sheet with the help of a torch and magnifying glass.
- In 2008, Hemant fell from a local train in Mumbai while on his way to the sets of ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs’. He suffered injuries to his chest, legs and spine. He was considered unfit as an actor because he had to walk with the help of a stick. It took several years for him to fully recover from his injuries.
- Hemant is very fond of animals. His pet dog’s name is Barry.
Hemant Kher with his dog
- His recreations include playing golf and horse riding.
Hemant Kher riding on horse
- The Scam 1992 actor is also fond of travelling.
Hemant Kher is traveling
- According to Hemant, after the success of Scam 1992, he got an offer to work with a Los Angeles filmmaker. In an interview he said,
It’s an amazing opportunity and I’m still in talks with the producers. I have read the script. And it’s amazing. I believe if it is turned into a cinematic experience it can create wonders. I can say that this is an amazing opportunity and I would love to explore all aspects of cinema, be it Bollywood or Hollywood.”
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn