From picking up an audience member’s call in the middle of his session to going around the auditorium and asking people what they would call their biopic, actor Anupam Kher’s masterclass on ‘Giving Up Is Not A Choice’ at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) had something in store for each person present.

The actor shared some personal anecdotes, all in sync with the topic. For example, in his debut film Saaransh (1984), he was replaced even before the shoot started! “I had prepped for months, and asked Mahesh Bhatt,‘Why did you cast me?’ He replied, ‘Bald hai na!’ because the character required an old man. Later, I was told I have been replaced by Sanjeev Kumar. I got so angry… maine Mahesh Bhatt ko jaakar bola ‘aap duniya ke number one fraud ho. Main brahmin hoon, main aapko shraap deta hoon!’ I packed my luggage, and stormed off downstairs. Upar se Mahesh ji ne awaaz maari ‘vaapis aaja’! I did this because giving up was just not a choice for me.”

Further, recalling when Hollywood actor Robert De Niro, ‘God of acting’ for him, threw Anupam out during a heated scene in Silver Linings Playbook (2012). After waiting outside in the cold for 45 minutes, he confronted director David O Russell over his character’s treatment. Later, the scene was revised with De Niro supporting his view.

“Today I feel proud that I can call Mr Robert De Niro one of my friends. I did all that on the shoot day because giving up was not a choice,” he concluded.