Anupam Kher: Wife’s Cancer, Bell’s Palsy & New Amsterdam Exit

Ask any Bollywood fan to name an actor who has been everywhere—from village dramas to Hollywood hospital sets—and Anupam Kher’s name comes up fast. With over 500 films and a career spanning four decades, he has faced personal health scares and family crises while staying at work.

Born: 7 March 1955 (age 69) ·
Occupation: Actor, director, producer ·
Spouses: Madhumalti Kapoor (divorced), Kirron Kher (since 1993) ·
Notable awards: Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan ·
Film career span: Over 500 films (Wikipedia)

Six key facts about Anupam Kher, each verified against public records:

What is the illness of Anupam Kher’s wife?

In April 2021, Anupam Kher disclosed that his wife, actor-politician Kirron Kher, had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer. (Times of India) The news came during the pandemic and prompted an outpouring of support.

Kirron Kher’s multiple myeloma diagnosis

• Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells that can affect bones and immune function.
• According to Anupam Kher, the disease had spread to Kirron’s left arm and right shoulder at the time of diagnosis.

Treatment journey and public statements

Anupam Kher regularly updated fans through social media and interviews. After a four‑month treatment period, he stated that Kirron was recovering and no longer hospitalized, though she required regular outpatient care. In a later interview with The Indian Express, he noted that she was “better” but the medicines had significant side effects.(The Indian Express)

The implication: the Khers continue to navigate the long road of multiple myeloma with public candor.

Why did Anupam Kher leave his first wife?

Before his long marriage to Kirron, Anupam Kher was briefly married to Madhumalti Kapoor. The union lasted from 1981 to 1985.

First marriage to Madhumalti Kapoor

• Madhumalti Kapoor was a model and actress in the early 1980s.
• The marriage ended in divorce after four years.

Reasons for divorce

Kher has rarely discussed the split in detail. In interviews he has cited irreconcilable differences. Neither party has made additional public statements, leaving the specific reasons outside the public record. The implication: some personal chapters remain off‑limits, even for a celebrity as open as Kher.

Why did Anupam Kher quit New Amsterdam?

Anupam Kher played Dr. Vijay Kapoor on the NBC medical drama New Amsterdam from 2018 to 2021. His departure at the end of season 4 surprised many fans of the show.

Role as Dr. Vijay Kapoor

• Kher portrayed a veteran neurologist in the ensemble cast. (Wikipedia)
• His character was written out after the character decided to retire from Bellevue.

Departure from the series

While the show’s creative team framed the exit as a natural story arc, Kher’s own statements suggest personal and professional considerations influenced the decision. He has described the role as rewarding but hinted that the grueling schedule and time away from his family—especially during Kirron’s illness—played a part. The trade‑off: a steady Hollywood paycheck versus the need to be present at home.

The catch: leaving a major network series was a difficult professional gamble, but Kher prioritized his wife’s care.

What happened to Anupam Kher’s face?

In 1991, while shooting the blockbuster film Hum, Anupam Kher suddenly lost control of one side of his face. He was later diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a temporary paralysis of the facial nerve.

Facial paralysis during filming of Hum

• The incident occurred mids‑cene; Kher finished the shot despite the paralysis.
• He underwent treatment with steroids and physical therapy.

Recovery and aftermath

Kher recovered fully within weeks. He later recounted the experience in interviews as one of the most frightening moments of his career, but also one that taught him resilience. The pattern: Kher has faced serious health scares—both his own and his wife’s—and continued working through them.

Which friend of Anil Kapoor and Anupam Kher died?

Satish Kaushik, a close friend and frequent collaborator of both Anil Kapoor and Anupam Kher, died on March 9, 2023. (Wikipedia)

Satish Kaushik’s death

• Kaushik was an actor, director, and producer known for films like Mujhse Dosti Karoge! and Mr. India.
• He died in Gurugram at the age of 66, due to a heart attack.

Impact on Kher and Kapoor

Both Anil Kapoor and Anupam Kher publicly mourned Kaushik, sharing memories of their three‑decade‑long friendship. The loss was especially poignant because Kaushik had directed Kher in the 2001 film Mujhse Dosti Karoge! and acted alongside both in many projects. The catch: the sudden death of a mutual friend often reshapes social circles in the industry, a reality both actors continue to navigate.

Timeline: Anupam Kher’s life in key events

Nine milestones that define his personal and professional journey:

The timeline shows a pattern of resilience through personal and professional challenges.

The pattern: while many facts are verified, certain personal details remain private.

Voices: Anupam Kher in his own words

“[Kirron] has always been a fighter. She is better now, but the medicines have many side effects.”

— Anupam Kher, speaking to The Indian Express about his wife’s recovery

In another interview, Kher said he finished a scene with one side of his face frozen, not knowing what was happening but determined to complete the shot. He later called the Bell’s palsy episode one of the most frightening moments of his career. And when asked about leaving New Amsterdam, he stated: “I want to be there for my wife. That is my priority now.”

The takeaway across all three statements: Kher consistently frames his choices as acts of care—for his health, for his family, and for his craft.

For Bollywood’s most prolific character actor, the decision to prioritize family over a Hollywood regular role is a telling signal. For audiences following his journey, the implication is clear: Anupam Kher continues to work, but on his own terms, with Kirron’s health guiding the pace. As his career enters its fifth decade, the resilience he has shown through personal health crises and loss may prove as enduring as his filmography.

Anupam Kher has shared that his wife Kirron was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, the same rare blood cancer that multiple myeloma diagnosis Patti Scialfa has been quietly fighting alongside her husband Bruce Springsteen.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading: Chunky Pandey biography – another Bollywood actor with a similar career arc; Kathy Griffin’s cancer journey – a parallel story of a public figure navigating a serious illness while maintaining a career.