Early life and education

Born in Hassanabdal, Attock District, Punjab, British India, known for the historic Gurdwara Panja Sahib, his family migrated to India after partition, did his early schooling from Jodhpur, Dehradun, Aligarh & Delhi. Later Kharbanda did his graduation from Kirori Mal College, Delhi University.

Career

After his studies he and a few of his college friends formed a theatre group called "Abhiyaan", and then joined Delhi-based Yatrik, a bilingual theatre repertory founded by director Joy Michael in 1964, and became its first paid artiste, though after a few years Yatrik collapsed as the director was lecturing in US universities. That is when he moved to Kolkata and started working with "Padatik" theatre group which did Hindi theatre, under director Shyamanand Jalanin 1972. Here he worked for a while, before moving to films and Mumbai.

He first got noticed in Shyam Benegal's Nishaant (1974), with whom he went on to work in several more films including, Manthan (1976) and Bhumika: The Role (1977), Junoon (1978), and Kalyug (1980), soon he was a regular with Parallel cinema directors, like Godhuli (1977) with B. V. Karanth.

Playing a bald villain, Shakaal in Shaan (1980) directed by Ramesh Sippy, saw his transition into Bollywood mainstream, Kharbanda went on to appear in Ghayal (1990), Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992), Gupt (1997), Border (1997), Yes Boss (1997), Refugee (2000). Though he continued appearing in art films, like Chakra (1981) with Smita Patil and Naseeruddin Shah, Arth (1982) with Shabana Azmi, Andhi Gali (1984) first Hindi film of Buddhadeb Dasgupta, Ek Chadar Maili Si (1986) with Hema Malini, Utsav (1984) by Girish Karnad, Mandi (1983), Trikal (1985) and Susman (1987) by Shyam Benegal, Naseem (1995) by Saeed Akhtar Mirza and Monsoon Wedding (2001) directed by Mira Nair.

He portrayed Reema Lagoo's husband and Raj Babbar's brother in Shashi Kapoor's Filmwalas Production's, Kalyug. He has also appeared in period pieces such as Jodha Akbar and Lagaan. His most recent film are Aloo Chaat and Team: The Force. He has acted in a number of Punjabi films. He had also portrayed the hero in the legendary film Chan Pardesi (1980) and also starred in the Punjabi comedy Mahaul Theek Hai (1999).

He has acted in six of Deepa Mehta's movies and all her trilogies: "Earth","Fire" and "Water". He also has done a German film . He has also acted in TV series, like Shanno Ki Shaadi and Mahi Ve. He has been seen on the stage in plays like Teen Farishtay, Hatya ek akaar ki, Baki Itihaas, Ek Shunya Bajirao, Guinea Pig, Girdhade, Sakharam Binder and recently, Atmakatha.

Filmography

• Azhar (film) (Hindi)
• Dictator_(2016_film) (Telugu)
• Brothers (Hindi) (2015)
• Baby (2015 film)(Hindi)
• Haider (Hindi) (2014)
• Kirpaan - The Sword of Honour (Punjabi) (2014)
• Saadi Love Story(Punjabi) (2013)
• Delhi in a Day (2012)
• Winds of Change (2012)
• Khushiaan (2011)
• Khatta Meetha (2010)
• Kurbaan (2009)
• Aloo Chaat (2009)
• Ru Ba Ru (2008)
• Jodhaa Akbar (2008)
• Ek: The Power of One (2008)
• EMI (2008)
• Manorama Six Feet Under (2007)
• Umrao Jaan (2006)
• Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006)
• Water (2005)
• Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero (2005)
• Fight Club - Members Only (2006)
• Agnipankh (2004)
• Zameer: The Fire Within (2005)
• Garv: Pride and Honour (2004)
• I Proud To Be An Indian (2004)
• Pinjar (2003)
• Basti (2003)
• Bollywood/Hollywood (2002)
• Lagaan (2002)
• Monsoon Wedding (2001)
• Pukar (2000)
• Hera Pheri (2000)
• Refugee (2000)
• Hote Hote Pyar Ho Gaya (1999)
• Aakrosh (1998)
• China Gate (1998)
• Major Saab (1998)
• Earth (1998)
• Yes Boss (1997)
• Border (1997)
• Gupt (1997)
• Maachis (1996)
• Loafer (1996)
• Fire (1996)
• Nirbhay (1996)
• Naseem (1995)
• Baazi (1995)
• Mohra (1994)
• Shaktiman (1993)
• Mahakaal (1993)
• Ek Hi Raasta (1993)
• Damini - Lightning (1993)
• Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992)
• Bekhudi (1992)
• Antarnaad (1991)
• Henna (1991)
• Prathibandh (1990)
• Ghayal (1991)
• Trikal (1985)
• Yateem (1988)
• Veerana (1988)
• Main Zinda Hoon (1988)
• Susman (1987)
• Uttar Dakshin (1987)
• Ek Chadar Maili Si (1987)
• New Delhi Times (1986)
• Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985)
• Ghulami (1985)
• Utsav (1984)
• Andhi Gali (1984)
• Waaris (1988)
• Ganga Meri Maa (1983)
• Shakti (1982)
• Aparoopa (1982)
• Ucha Dar Babe Nank Da - Punjabi (1982)
• Silsila (film) (1981)
• Mandi (1983)
• Premrog (1983)
• Chakra (1981)
• Kalyug (1981)
• Nakhuda (1981)
• Arth (1981)
• Chan Pardesi (1980)
• Shaan (1980)
• Kalyug (1981)
• Solva Saawan (1979)
• Junoon (1978)
• Bhumika: The Role (1977)
• Manthan (1976)
• Jadu Ka Shankh (1974)

Awards and nominations

• 1986:Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award-Ghulami: Nominated

[ Source: Wikipedia ]