Famous People Born in Kanpur Who Made India Proud
Kanpur doesn’t always get the credit it deserves. It’s not as glamorous as Mumbai or as politically charged as Delhi — but ask anyone who knows Indian history, Bollywood, cricket, or comedy, and you’ll quickly discover that some of the country’s most remarkable people have roots right here in our city. From a President of India who walked 8 km barefoot to school, to a comedian who made the whole country laugh, to a cricketer who won back-to-back T20 World Cups for India — Kanpur has quietly produced legends across every field imaginable. Here is The Real Kanpur’s definitive guide to the most famous people born in Kanpur — names that every Kanpuriya should know and every visitor should be surprised by. Politics & Public Life 1. Ram Nath Kovind — 14th President of India Born: 1 October 1945, Paraunkh village, Kanpur Dehat Known for: 14th President of India (2017–2022) Perhaps the most remarkable story to ever emerge from this city. Ram Nath Kovind was born in Paraunkh village in the Kanpur Dehat district — the youngest of five brothers and two sisters. They walked 8 km to school every day because nobody in the village owned a bicycle. Ram Nath Kovind attended school and college in Kanpur, earning his degrees in commerce and law from Kanpur University (DAV College). He later became a Supreme Court advocate, served two terms as a Rajya Sabha MP, was appointed Governor of Bihar, and was sworn in as the 14th President of India on 25 July 2017. Notably, Kovind became the second person from the Dalit community and the first member of the BJP to serve as President of India. His journey from a mud hut in rural Kanpur to Rashtrapati Bhavan is one of the most extraordinary stories in Indian public life. Kanpur connection: Born and educated in Kanpur; holds degrees from DAV College, Kanpur University 2. Sucheta Kripalani — First Woman Chief Minister of India Born: 25 June 1908, Ambala (politically active in Kanpur). Known for: First woman to serve as Chief Minister of any Indian state Sucheta Kripalani was an Indian freedom fighter and politician who served as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh from 1963 to 1967 — making her the first woman to hold the Chief Minister position in any Indian state. Her connections to Kanpur’s freedom movement and political life made her a deeply important figure in the city’s history. Why she matters: A trailblazer not just for Kanpur but for all of India’s women in public life. 3. Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi — Martyr of the Freedom Movement Born: 26 October 1890, Kanpur Known for: Pioneer journalist, freedom fighter, martyr Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi is one of Kanpur’s most beloved historical figures — a fearless journalist and ardent nationalist who gave his life during the communal riots of 1931 while trying to protect victims. He founded the Hindi newspaper Pratap in 1913, which became a powerful voice against British colonial rule. He was posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan — India’s second-highest civilian honour. Why he matters: Vidyarthi represents Kanpur’s deepest soul — the spirit of courage, justice, and sacrifice. 4. Kamal Nath — Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Born: 18 November 1946, Kanpur Known for: 18th Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh; one of India’s longest-serving MPs One of India’s longest-serving politicians, Kamal Nath has been a Member of Parliament for over nine terms. Born in Kanpur, he rose to become one of the most influential figures in the Indian National Congress. Cricket 5. Kuldeep Yadav — India’s Champion Spinner Born: 14 December 1994, raised in Kanpur. Known for: Left-arm wrist spin; T20 World Cup 2024 & 2026 winner Kuldeep Yadav is an Indian international cricketer — a left-arm unorthodox spinner who was a member of the Indian team that won the 2024 and 2026 T20 World Cups and the 2025 Champions Trophy. On 18 December 2019, against the West Indies, he became the first bowler for India to take two hat-tricks in international cricket. He is the first left-arm wrist spin bowler to represent India in Test cricket — a truly unique distinction. Born in Unnao, Kuldeep was raised in Kanpur, the son of a brick kiln owner. His father recognised his talent early and took him to a coach — and that decision changed Indian cricket history. Kanpur connection: Raised and trained as a cricketer in Kanpur; represents UP in domestic cricket 6. Mohammad Kaif — One of India’s Greatest Fielders Born: 1 December 1980, Allahabad (trained in Kanpur) Known for: Outstanding fielding; the iconic 2002 NatWest Trophy final innings Mohammad Kaif is one of the greatest fielders ever to have played for India — and his journey began at Kanpur’s Sports Hostel. He was just 11 years old when he first walked onto the Green Park Sports Hostel grounds in Kanpur. His match-winning innings in the 2002 NatWest Trophy final at Lord’s — when India chased down 326 against England — remains one of the most celebrated moments in Indian cricket history. Kanpur connection: Trained at Kanpur’s Green Park Sports Hostel from age 11; deeply associated with the city’s cricket culture Music & Entertainment 7. Abhijeet Bhattacharya — Bollywood’s Most Prolific Playback Singer Born: 30 October 1958, Kanpur. Known for: 6,000+ Bollywood songs; primary voice for Shah Rukh Khan Abhijeet Bhattacharya is a Bollywood playback singer born in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. He has sung 6,034 songs in over 1,000 films — one of the highest totals in Bollywood history. He is particularly celebrated as the primary playback voice for Shah Rukh Khan across dozens of films — Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, DDLJ, Mohabbatein, and many more. Kanpur connection: Born and raised in Kanpur 8. Ankit Tiwari — Voice of Galliyan & Sunn Raha Hai Born: 25 July 1986, Kanpur. Known for: Galliyan (Ek Villain), Sunn Raha Hai Na Tu (Aashiqui 2) Born to parents who ran a music troupe in Kanpur, Ankit Tiwari began his musical career singing jingles before soaring to fame with some…