Showing posts with label Anupam Kher interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anupam Kher interview. Show all posts
We don't have Bollywood parties anymore; people are scared-Anupam Kher
9:36 AM
Anupam Kher says trolling has become ‘favourite national pastime’, with celebrities being ‘scared of celebrations’ over public perception
Akash Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 20, 2026)
After performing his new play Jaane Pehchaane Anjane in Mumbai last weekend, Anupam Kher is bringing it to Delhi. The veteran actor is also fresh off a proud international moment. He won the Best Supporting Actor award at the UK Asian Film Festival earlier this month for the 2025 Indo-Canadian film Calorie.
Even after over four decades in cinema, the 71-year-old says that an award still gives him a high, especially on a global stage. He tells us, “It may sound dramatic, but actors don’t get to officially represent their country globally like how sportspersons do... Whenever I work abroad, I say ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ before every project; I’m representing 1.4 billion people.”
But celebrating such wins, he feels, has become difficult now. “I was just talking to (actor) Anil Kapoor that people have stopped celebrating life and their wins because they think usko bhi log kuch na kuch bol denge,” the actor opines, adding, “We used to have such amazing Bollywood parties earlier by (filmmakers) Yash Chopra or Subhash Ghai; we don’t have them today anymore kyunki logon ko celebrate karne mein darr lagta hai, ki kahin na kahin koi kuch galat nikaal lega.”
As an example, Anupam points to the trolling faced by actor Alia Bhatt after her recent appearance at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival: “Losers who have nothing to do in life just want to get noticed by criticising something iconic. Criticism has become the favourite national pastime. I don’t get angry with them anymore, I feel pity.”
ON ‘STAYING ALIVE’ WITH THEATRE
The actor is currently busy with his new theatre play Jaane Pehchaane Anjane, which comes to Delhi this week after being staged in Mumbai last weekend. “I have been performing my one-man show Kucch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai for the last 21 years. But this is a new play, and this is the first time we have so many actors in one play,” he shares.
Based on a Marathi play, it has been turned into a musical by composer Anu Malik, with Anupam singing the title track himself. “Theatre shows me that I can still push my boundaries and it keeps me alive as a person, not only as an actor,” he adds.
ON TRAVELLING BY TRAIN
He grabbed attention online when he took the Vande Bharat from Jaipur to Delhi, in support of PM Narendra Modi’s save fuel campaign and austerity measures. In a Reel on Monday, he urged people to use public transport where possible: “Where possible, we should use public transport, do carpooling. We should avoid taking out our car for short distances... In our daily lives, we should make small changes.”
I don’t like being called a veteran or a legend. They’re not supposed to be nervous-Anupam Kher
10:38 AM
Vishakha Pandit (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 28, 2026)
On World Theatre Day today, Anupam Kher says the stage still unsettles him, in the best way. “Nervousness is still there… I don’t eat on the day of a show, I’m petrified,” admits the 71-year-old, adding that the fear is what keeps him “alive” as an actor.
Calling theatre a necessity, he says, “It takes away the dust that can accumulate… the fear of no retake. Theatre is pure magic.” The direct connection with the audience remains unmatched. “There is nothing in between. You feel palpitation… that means you are alive.”
Now returning to stage with Jaane Pehchaane Anjaane, he emphasises relatability. “I like to do plays where the audience identifies with the story… they should take away something from it.”
With an international tour across the US and Canada planned, Kher believes theatre’s appeal is timeless. “Cultures may differ, but emotions remain the same… it’s an experience that never gets old.”
Despite decades of experience in films, Kher reiterates that theatre remains at the heart of his craft. He shares, “On set, you have multiple takes. Cinema has background music, editing, effects… but theatre keeps you on your toes, not only as an actor but as a person.”
Recalling his early days on stage over 30 years ago, Kher says, “Being on the stage has given me the same amount of thrill as it gave me when I first stepped on it in 1994 for my show Salgirah. That’s why I don’t like being called a veteran or a legend. They’re not supposed to be nervous, but I am.”
At a time when much of entertainment is consumed at home via OTT, he believes theatre continues to thrive as a shared, immersive experience. “You can watch films at home now, but theatre is a family outing. You go out, sit with people, and watch a play together,” he says, adding, “the audience’s feedback is instant, which is great.”
Ask about drawing audiences in changing times, and Kher emphasizes the inherent pull of theatre. “You don’t necessarily need to educate people. You come, you watch, you feel. Theatre is that kind of an experience that never gets old,” he ends.
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge gave the world the coolest father of the ‘90s-Anupam Kher
9:24 AM
Vishakha Pandit (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 21, 2025)
This October 20 marked three decades since Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge first came to our screens, yet the love for the film continues to grow with every generation. Looking back at the phenomenon, actor Anupam Kher, who played the role of actor Shah Rukh Khan’s father, says he always knew the film would be extraordinary. “It’s not about how many years it ran, but the fact that it changed the grammar and rhythm of Indian cinema. That’s what makes it a cult film,” the 70-year-old says.
Reminiscing about the film’s premiere, Anupam shares an unforgettable moment: “When the screening ended, there was complete silence for almost a minute as everyone was just absorbing what they had witnessed. And then, the whole theatre erupted in applause. It was a standing ovation that just didn’t end. That’s when we knew this film had touched something deeper.”
The film, directed by Aditya Chopra, broke several cinematic conventions, especially the idea of a rebellious hero defying parents, and Anupam’s portrayal of a cool, supportive father became an instant favourite. “People still tell me, ‘I wish my father were like you in DDLJ.’ Before that, audiences had never seen such a father on screen; someone who was a friend, a motivator, and not just an authority figure. DDLJ gave the ‘90s its coolest father figure,” he laughs.
The actor further adds that his bond with actors Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol has remained unchanged over the years. “Back then, there were no vanity vans, no mobile phones, no managers or security guards. We built relationships with our hearts, not our schedules. We knew each other’s strengths, weaknesses, and emotions. Those connections were real,” he says, adding, “I always say some relationships are like a pause button, you just press play and continue from where you left off.”
Reflecting on how the industry has evolved since then, Anupam notes, “Every era has its beauty. In those days, we had time to build personal relationships because there were no distractions. Today’s generation has other advantages — information, access, technology. We didn’t have Google or ChatGPT... I’ve learned more from technology now than I ever did before,” he ends.
I will not accept a lifetime achievement award for another 15 years-Anupam Kher
2:42 PM
Learning to swim, cycle, and run for the triathlon movie Vijay 69, Anupam Kher says training attention to fitness eight years ago helped him ace his act; reveals shedding another six kilos with a “gruelling diet” for his next film
Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; November 6, 2024)
In an era where social media platforms brim with posts that call attention to the physical and mental fatigue that settles in after the age of 30, a conversation with Anupam Kher serves as an awakening. “I don’t have the desperation to be young; I have the desperation to be youthful,” says Kher, 69, who considers, explores, and completes projects within the span of time that most would spend merely mulling over an idea.
Ever so often, our conversations trace back to the concept of discovering oneself. “I’ve decided I’m not going to be called a thespian, legend, or veteran. I will not accept a lifetime achievement award for another 15 years. Some people are happy to do so, and I am proud of them. But I feel that the world constantly tries to put you in a slot — 'He has worked a lot. Let’s give him a lifetime achievement award’. I don’t want that. You have to reinvent yourself; think about how the next three years of your life should turn out,” says the actor, showcasing the kind of passion for his craft, and his life, that evades individuals several years younger.
It was early on in his career that Kher decided to bank on his acting prowess to pick roles that were, until then, unfamiliar. Evidently then, when news of his latest offering hit headlines, fans were excited but not surprised. After all, who other than him would be better suited to play the part of an unconditioned 69-year-old who aspires to complete a triathlon?
“What you see in this film is a 69-year-old man who gets into shape by the end of the film [as he trains] to participate in the triathlon. Off screen, I was correspondingly living the same life. Among the most defining things I did as part of my preparation was learn to swim. I did that last year after [overcoming] what could be described as a sense of phobia of water. I had wanted to learn to swim 42 years ago. But my trainer thought that pushing somebody, an adult, into the pool would be a great way to teach him to swim. But that works for children, not grown-ups,” he says, recalling the event that subsequently dissuaded him from learning the art.
“For this film, my director suggested using a [body double], But what is the point of doing a movie on a triathlon if I couldn’t do a decent job? Somebody suggested a trainer, and he methodically taught me to swim. Within 10 days, I [overcame] my fear of water, and could breathe calmly in the pool. Slowly, I [learned] freestyle, and backstroke.”
While replicating his strokes in the open waters of Mulshi Ghat required adjustment, Kher says he eventually found the process “therapeutic”.
Trading his traditional walking routine for running bouts, Kher worked with a physiotherapist to prevent injuries that could come about from his altered regimen.
“My body was not accustomed to doing certain things. My running bouts had to synchronize with the goals of my physiotherapist, and I’d have therapy sessions three times a day. Furthermore, while I knew how to cycle before this film came my way, I had to learn the correct posture for the race, and the manner in which the sports cycle is used since it differs from the regular cycles. I get a kick out of this. There is a certain validation and pleasure that you derive when you do a sporty film after the age of 60. I felt like an athlete.”
Developing mental fitness
While the sports-specific training he endured was one part of his prep to play a marathoner, Kher had to simultaneously work on improving his stamina to ensure that his performance didn’t take a hit due to the retakes demanded by his director.
“When you are acting, you can improve with each take because you have been trained to do so. But in order to do three takes of a swimming, cycling, or running bout, and do so while maintaining the required posture, I needed to put in extra work.”
If the physical aspect posed a challenge to the actor, the character’s temperament led to mental fatigue. He refuses to describe Vijay as a regular person with aspirations of completing a coveted race.
“He is angry. This is a 69-year-old failed man; he does not have anything substantial to add to his list of credits. At this age, he realizes that he has nothing to boast about, and he is angry with himself. Anger is a tiring emotion. It requires more energy to pull off. I wanted to showcase the character with a certain amount of frustration.”
Despite the precautions that may be put in place, a sports film continues to pose a threat to those involved in athletic activities. Pointing to a recently cut trailer, Kher reveals, “The tears you see in that shot are real, because I broke my shoulder while filming it. We were filming at 6 am, and I [incorrectly] hit the brakes of the cycle and [fell], and dislocated my shoulder. My director suggested that we head to the hospital, but [I insisted] that we wrap up the scenes. Evidently, I have given my blood, sweat, and bone to this film,” he chuckles.
Turning to fitness at 60
It was eight years ago that Kher decided that his walking regimen wasn’t sufficient to keep him in good stead. Having once disregarded the need for a physical fitness trainer, he says he increasingly realised that his body wasn’t as agile as his mind.
“I used to think [our ancestors] had stayed fit by walking, and that was enough. But I began to [appreciate] the science of fitness. Now, I cannot help but wonder how much I would have benefitted had I taken to training sooner. I used to host the show, Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai, the clips of which often pop up on social media. I look like a potato in them. My mind’s agility is at its peak, and if I can get my body to match that, it will be a lethal combination.”
Like every other gym goer, Kher wakes up with an aching body, and is often dissuaded to train another day. “But, I encourage myself to go on. To think about problems and converse with yourself about them is also stimulating for the mind. You live once; try to be healthy for your own self.”
Before he signs off, Kher lets us in on a nugget of information. “In some time, you’ll learn of a project I am part of for which I need to lose eight kilos. I have already lost six. It is the most gruelling, boring, and frightening process, because I am a foodie. Even though I have been following a disciplined [lifestyle since] seven years, this is drastic. I haven’t done something like this in my entire life, but it was required because I only had four months to do it. But it gives me a kick. More than the physical benefits, it helps train the mind.”
Had Dilip Kumar or Amitabh Bachchan played Dr Dang, they would have been considered heroes but not me-Anupam Kher
8:07 AM
Vijay 69 actor Anupam Kher on learning to swim to play role of a 69-year-old athlete
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; November 2, 2024)
Never one to disappoint with his film choices, Anupam Kher gripped the attention of cinephiles when he announced that he was set to play a 69-year-old man with aspirations of competing in a triathlon. Kher, also 69, says that like his character Vijay, he also believes that there is benefit in “attempting things that are considered difficult”.
“I am the actor who likes to break stereotypes. I want to push boundaries and do things that people say are not possible. People try their best to ensure that one remains mediocre, because [that’s how they] see [themselves]. Who decides if you can do something or not?” he enthuses with the passion he showcases on screen.
“I didn’t know how to swim, but this film required my character to do so. I could have easily told the team to work with a body double for those sections. But the film is about courage, and if the actor did not showcase that, it would be a contradiction. I didn’t want that,” he says.
Featuring in Akshay Roy’s directorial venture, Kher says, has left him yearning for similar challenges. As physically taxing as it may seem, Kher says he’d like to feature in a film like Vijay 69 “every two years”. “When you have done so much work, you have to make your job difficult.”
Place power in the hands of bankable actors like him, and it’s easy to see that a film will have several takers. In fact, Kher’s vast body of work is testimony to the fact that films based on aged characters have found favour among the masses. We are compelled to ask the actor why similar stories that revolve around elderly protagonists are not brought into the market. Kher opines that the masses are “conditioned to believe” that the kind of success that the protagonist of the film enjoys is reserved for the young.
“We believe in clichés. We like success stories. But Vijay 69 is also a success story. Our society tends to look at older characters from a sympathetic lens. In Vijay 69, my character is ready for a fight anytime. There’s no age barrier in his head. He is quite unabashed in his approach. And that’s such an attractive quality about him,” he shares.
Having worked for nearly four decades, Kher has been part of a diverse filmography. However, it was early on in his journey that he learnt a crucial aspect about the disparity between acting and popularity.
“I always considered myself the hero of a film. I had told Subhash Ghai [director] that my character in Karma [1986], Doctor Dang, is the hero. Had Dilip Kumar or Amitabh Bachchan played that role, they would have been considered the heroes. But, when Anupam Kher plays it, that’s not how it is referred to. An actor who has knowledge will know that anyone who acts well is a hero. I understood this because I was an educated actor. In our industry, those who act poorly are considered good actors, and the one who would perform well would be called character actors. It was torturous, sometimes. I used to look at a hero and think, ‘He is such a bad actor.’”
When 30 or 40 years later, people will say, ‘Cinema before The Kashmir Files and after The Kashmir Files’-Anupam Kher
8:38 AM
Anupam Kher on 2022, ‘the most successful year’ of his career
Monika Rawal Kukreja (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 27, 2022)
Having spent almost four decades in the film industry, with 532 films to his credit, actor Anupam Kher’s body of work speaks volumes. Unstoppable at 67, he continues to reinvent himself and 2022 proved to be a game changer for him, with three hits — The Kashmir Files, Karthikeya 2 and Uunchai. He feels glad that these films allowed him to present Anupam Kher 2.0 version to his fans. As 2022 nears the end, the actor talks about “the most successful year” of his career. Excerpts:
At a time when most Hindi films didn’t do well, you had a great year. How does it feel?
It’s been an amazing year with the success of the unconventional films I did, and that makes it more joyous, as they weren’t typical films. I am not looking down upon regular Hindi films, but to get success with The Kashmir Files, Karthikeya 2 and Uunchai, is a delightful feeling. Though I feel I’ve survived for 38 years because of the kind of actor I am and the roles I’ve done, this year proves that box office is now a bigger barometer than acting and performance.
Though each film must have been instrumental in your career, The Kashmir Files would be extra special, also because it took you back to your roots. Isn’t it?
The Kashmir Files is a turning point in Indian cinema. When 30 or 40 years later, we’ll talk about Indian cinema and its growth, people will say, ‘Cinema before The Kashmir Files and after The Kashmir Files’. As a film, it’s cinematic brilliance, something India should be proud of. Also, the subject of exodus of Kashmiri Pandits is close to my heart. We’ve been talking about this for the last 32 years, but people weren’t believing it. The film made people realise the truth. Also, besides its heart-touching story, people also embraced the film because of the guilt.
Despite being made on a low budget, it turned out to be one of the most profitable films of 2022. Is it all because of the audience?
Audiences have always been intelligent. We only underestimate them due to our insecurities. A good film either does well commercially or becomes cult after a few years. With all the propaganda and opposition, the film collected more than Rs. 75 crore overseas.
You also did a Telugu film, Karthikeya 2, which got rave reviews. How was working on the project like?
I only have two scenes in the film, but I liked the concept. Interestingly, just before I was to give my first shot, I asked the director (Chandoo Mondeti), ‘What if I say the lines as a blind man?’ It was a last-minute thing, but he was kind enough, and that worked. When I watched the film in the theatre, I couldn’t hear any dialogue, as people were whistling, screaming and shouting. Every dialogue was getting so much applause. It was fascinating.
Uunchai also got positive reviews. At this stage of your career, how important was the film? And do you think it would have worked if it released 15 years ago?
This film would have worked any day. Also, my personal philosophy of life matched the philosophy of the film, which is: Life starts at 60 and all of us have a Mount Everest in our hearts and we need to conquer that. The movie was endearing because we had all gone through so much in the last two years [of the pandemic], and we were all trying to find our strength, hope, compassion and dreams. Uunchai gave us that.
What is in store for 2023?
My upcoming releases are IB 71, Kaagaz 2, The Signature and Emergency. These are very fascinating and different kind of films. 2022 was a great year because these non-clichéd films worked. Next year, I may not have this kinds of success, but life is beautiful.
My competition is not with the people of my age, it’s with the youngsters-Anupam Kher
8:41 AM
Anupam Kher feels discipline and focus can help him stay fit for a long inning as an artiste
Deep Saxena (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 9, 2022)
Actor Anupam Kher believes in pushing his limits, whether it’s for his powerful performances or physical transformation, which has earned a lot of attention of late. “Unless you make yourself uncomfortable, how will you inspire yourself and others? Age is just a number. Today, everything is possible; you just need to discipline yourself and stay focused. So, I decided to work on my fitness. My competition is not with the people of my age, it’s with the youngsters,” says the 67-year-old.
The actor, last seen in The Kashmir Files, continues, “I remember when my father retired at the age of 58, he had retirement depression for three years. Thankfully, we are in a profession where we don’t retire. I have a long inning to play and for that, I need to stay fit.”
Kher, who is shooting for his upcoming films — The Signature and Kaagaz 2 — in Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), says that he’s just reached mid-way in his acting career. “I started at 28 and played a 65-year-old man’s role. Now that I am in my mid-60s, I feel I’ve just reached the interval of my career. I still have 20-25 years of work [left], if all goes well with my health and memory. That’s the joy of being in this profession,” he says.
Besides working on his fitness, Kher has also been trying to take on roles that challenge him as an actor. He feels that one needs to make their job difficult so that the results are better. He shares, “Having done so much work, I have understood what the nuances of acting can be. Now, I am only choosing those projects that I want to do. I completed (filmmaker) Sooraj Barjatya’s Unnchai with Mr (Amitabh) Bachchan (actor) and Boman (Irani; actor), wrapped up (director) Sankalp Reddy’s IB 71 with (actor) Vidyut Jammwal, completed a Tamil film and now I am working on two Hindi films.”
Anupam Kher euphoric with The Kashmir Files' success; says "My philosophy, ‘kuch bhi ho sakta hai’, is again underlined"
8:31 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 16, 2022)
The love that his latest film, The Kashmir Files, has been receiving from the audience has surprised one and all. And for actor Anupam Kher, who is a Kashmiri Pandit himself, the film is really close to his heart.
“The Kashmiri Pandit community was subjected to inhuman behaviour, exodus and genocide, and was forgotten for 32 years. I feel [with this film], the healing may start. The feelings they have had, the murders and rapes that happened… four lakh Kashmiri Pandits were thrown out of the Valley. And the worst part was that nobody really cared for them,” he says.
The 67-year-old actor is content with the way the film, directed by Vivek Agnihotri, has been received. “I feel euphoric. What an amazing thing to happen. We had given up hope on cinema, saying, ‘Teen ghante ki film nahin honi chahiye, this is not a song and dance film, this was not publicised fully, [and so on].’ So, this is a triumph. My philosophy, ‘kuch bhi ho sakta hai’, is again underlined,” he shares.
Kher asserts that the success of a film like The Kashmir Files (it has earned close to ₹42.20 crore in four days) proves that a well-made film can find an audience. “All the theories that the pundits of cinema throw at you, like ‘aaj kal aisa hona chahiye, waisa hona chahiye’, aisa kuch nahin hai. It (the film) broke all barriers, which, according to me, will be a case study on how cinema and audiences have changed,” he shares.
Talking about the response he has been getting from the audience, Kher, who is also the executive producer of the film, adds, “It’s hysterical and unbelievable. When I meet people at airports, they hug me, they cry. And it has got nothing to do with Kashmiri Pandits. Any human being has that sense of guilt, [and they feel] how could we let this happen in our own country.”
I can still feel the warmth of that handshake, says Anupam Kher as he remembers General Bipin Rawat
7:53 AM
As told to Monika Rawal Kukreja (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 10, 2021)
I have grown up seeing people in uniform as I come from Shimla, which was the headquarters of Army Western Command. I did plays with Army officers and met them when I was on my way to the school and college. I have the greatest regards for the Army and the people in services.
Because I spent a lot of time with people like Colonel Kaul of that time or later on General J P Gupta, I understood it all — discipline and living life with constant danger while protecting the nation.
Four years back, I was thrilled when I was asked to join the NCC Board, where I got the opportunity to meet the Army, Naval and Air Force chiefs. And it was also where I met General Bipin Rawat for the first time. A photo that I took with all of them felt like getting the biggest award. I thought he had such an amazing sense of humour; he also asked me, ‘Sab theek hai? Gharwale kaise hain?’ like a regular person. I also got the opportunity to tell him that I was in the NCC and showed him my ID.
I stayed in touch with him and conveyed that ‘main aapse milna chahta hun’. Hence, when I was in Delhi, he made time for me and I could meet him at South Block. I asked him, ‘Yeh jazba kahan se seekhte hain?’. To which he replied, ‘Hum jazbe ke sath paida hote hain aur fir yeh badhta jaata hai’. That one hour of conversation, where I took a picture shaking hands with him, was most amazing.
There was also this one time when I got a call (from his office) informing me that his wife (Madhulika Rawat) wanted to see my play in Delhi and the show was houseful. So, I had organised passes for her. After that, I got a call from General Rawat, who told me that his wife found my life ‘very inspirational’.
Then he became the Chief of Defence Staff and I met him when the oath ceremony was taking place at Lok Sabha aur jis garmjoshi ke saath woh mile, that was amazing. For me, he symbolises epitome of solidarity, courage and dignity... He was my role model.
It took me a lot of time to register what had happened with him. Millions of people like me, who felt sad about his sudden demise, will continue to remember him for his deshbhakti. I will cherish that handshake and can still feel its warmth. That handshake gave me a feeling that ‘everything will be okay with my country’.
At parties, people praised me for the way I looked. That is intoxicating-Anupam Kher
8:20 AM
Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; July 14, 2021)
A popular notion in the fitness community is that if you wish to know whether or not a person practices CrossFit, you need not do much. Why? Because a person who practices CrossFit will brag about doing so anyway, at every afforded opportunity. Anupam Kher, 66, seems to be in the midst of a similar phase in his life. He speaks about fitness with child-like enthusiasm, admitting that having dedicatedly taken to it only six years ago, he considers being the muse of a fitness-related interview, a “cheap thrill”. Out and about with his “young friends” like Varun Dhawan and Aditya Roy Kapur, his relatively newly acquired interest makes him “contemporary”, and now an active participant in conversations about training. Ever-so-often, he finds joy in asking his colleagues to “touch my biceps” to monitor his progress, or notice his shirts becoming tighter.
Unlike the array of actors bagging negative roles in Bollywood, Kher says his formative years were not defined by the need to look bulky. “[Anti-heroes] like my character, Dr Dang [Karma], were [cerebral]. They had to look like normal human beings. Also, the other negative characters that I played were of the kind that didn’t require me to gain weight. I was usually the mama or taya of another character. Also, what worked to my advantage was that I started my career playing characters that were older than I was at the time. I played a 65-year-old when I was 28, played Hema Malini’s father, and grandfather to Rishi [Kapoor] and Anil [Kapoor]. That was an advantage. Because, as years passed, people didn’t see me as a [young man growing old].”
At his heaviest at 94 kilos six years ago, Kher realised he had been looking fuller, and decided to train his focus on a fitness routine. After a fair share of trial and error — involving walking excessively to clock 10,000 steps, then 15,000 and subsequently, 20,000, on his fitness tracker — and ending up with a knee injury, he sought professional help. An amalgamation of walking, yoga practice and weight-training helped him knock off 11 kilos. “At parties, people praised me for the way I looked. That is intoxicating. Being fit has made me approach my roles with a different attitude. Sharing posts on Instagram implies that by making my journey accessible to the public, I am more inclined to stick to my routine. No one will want to see me [out of shape] again.”
Kher talks about his love for food and sweets with adulation. “What’s a Gujarati thaali without aamras, or roti without ghee?” he asks, pulling up a piece of chocolate and stating that should he give into his temptation, this would be his second indulgence in the day. “But, I am generally disciplined. I don’t like to drink, and don’t smoke. I think walking is an amazing exercise. When I was in New York, I loved to walk. I also prefer walking in hill stations.”
Kher on his diet
I begin the day with: Water and saffron that has been stored overnight in a copper vessel. I follow it up with soaked almonds and walnuts.
My preferred choice of breakfast: Poha or one paratha. In the day, I also consume coconut water.
Eating pattern I prefer: I eat every two hours. I cannot take to a format like intermittent fasting, where all that you think about for 24 hours is food.
Foods I enjoy: I prefer eating rice over roti, as has been recommended to me. I enjoy Gujarati and Bengali food.
My brother is also a cancer survivor so there is hope-Anupam Kher
8:05 AM
The actor reiterates his philosophy of staying positive through adversities
Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 30, 2021)
The announcement of actor-politician Kirron Kher fighting cancer earlier this year got her fans and well-wishers worried. Now, her husband and actor Anupam Kher has come forward bearing good news. “She is much better,” Anupam replies when one asks about her health, and goes on to give a peek into how the family is dealing with the health crisis.
“It is a very natural phenomena to support people near you and that is what I have been doing. Aur baaki toh kuch nahi kar sakte hum. Doctors are doing their best job. We have got the best doctors around and I can only be positive and optimistic and believe in the brilliance of doctors and pray,” he says. The actor continues, “My brother is also a cancer survivor so there is hope. Being optimistic and choosing to be happy always helps in every way”.
In April, Anupam released a statement revealing that Kirron has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma and is undergoing treatment. Lately, she has been making special appearances on the Instagram videos of her son, Sikandar.
The whole family is leaning on optimism to find some strength in this fight, reveals Anupam.
“Optimism does help in the fight. My grandfather used to say ‘don’t go through the problem twice. Once when you are thinking about it, and next when you are going through it’. So, mein uske baare mein itna kyun sochun,” says the 66-year-old.
He feels that it is the only way to live, and recalls another of his grandfather’s lessons of wisdom: “you can be happy by thinking how many people are worse than you; or you can be sad thinking how many people are better than you”.
“It is the upbringing of our parents. The time we spent living in a joint family. We were not always playing with mobile phones. We took out time for each other and that helps,” says the actor, who recently narrated a documentary, Bhuj: The Day India Shook.
Robert De Niro had messaged me when he learned about Kirron’s health-Anupam Kher
7:46 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; May 22, 2021)
In this second wave, we’ve seen quite a few celebrities lending support to various initiatives. You have joined forces too...
When I looked around during the second wave, I thought either one could get angry and frustrated and feel helpless, or do something to help. In the bid to do something constructive, my friends and I collaborated and created a bridge between those in need and their requirements — equipment, medicines, and so on. Everyone has faced this pandemic in some way - I lost a close friend of many years, Sujata, to it. She had battled kidney failure years ago. She had recently had a transplant and had begun to live freely again, but things were not meant to be. My family was infected last year. This lockdown has also led to many mental health issues, which we will realise when we get to the other side. We have a project in place for that, too. We have a panel of professionals and a team of volunteers who can help. Once people are through with the physical damages, we will have to assess the mental damages of this pandemic.
How is your wife, Kirron Kher, holding up in her battle with cancer?
Kirron’s health is improving. It’s a tough treatment. She often says that the lockdown and COVID situation have made things difficult. Patients going through this treatment need something to distract themselves. She can’t go out or meet people, but the good part is that Kirron is on her way to better health. She is holding up fine. There are days when she is positive and then there are days when the chemotherapy impacts her state in many ways. We are all trying our best and she is doing it, too. The doctors do their job, but you have to keep your mental state strong to get past such a difficult treatment. She’s making every effort towards that, and so are we.
Last year once the lockdown eased, you were in the US shooting for your American series New Amsterdam. But you opted out of it to be able to look after your family here. That must have been a difficult decision to take.
Acting is a part of my life, it’s not my life. And at all times, we have to be ready to lose something to gain something. Quitting the American show was a difficult decision — career-wise, financially and otherwise. But my family and my wife Kirron needed me more. It’s not like I won’t get work here. If you stay away for two or more years, duniya aage nikal jaati hai. Mushkil ho sakta hai, namumkin to nahi hoga na? I have already got films like The Kashmir Files, Rohit Dhawan’s next, Sooraj Barjatya’s next and Nautanki in my kitty, and I have already shot for two. If needed, I will ring up my friends and ask for work… ki bhai ghar chalta rahe. Life is all about making decisions and difficult decisions on most occasions. That is how you discover yourself as a person.
Have you been in touch with your American colleagues and your friend, Robert De Niro?
Yes, I have been in touch. Robert had messaged me when he learned about Kirron’s health. He had also sent me a video to wish me on my birthday, and he keeps checking on Kirron’s health every few days. I had texted him after seeing his ad with Roger Federer, and in response, all he wanted to know was my family’s well-being and how Kirron was doing.
The last year has been tough on you — you lost a very close friend from the industry —Rishi Kapoor — your family members, including your mother, tested positive for COVID-19, and now, Kirron’s health issues are your primary concern. How do you stay positive and take others along with you in such challenging times?
I had read a beautiful line, ‘Everything is okay at the end, if it is not okay, it’s not the end’. As optimistic and positive as you may be, things do affect you, but hope is the heart of life. You may go through difficult situations, but if you stop being hopeful, you can’t live. It’s meaningless. It’s hope that takes you through everything. People have lost friends, loved ones, young ones... You have to find the zest for life and find hope to go on, no matter what. Giving up is not an option, ever. I am not an escapist. Yes, there are days when I am low. You can either be devastated or believe that there will be another tomorrow. Draw strength from nature... it does not change its course come what may. Motivation stems from there, which can help you surpass tragedies.
You have penned books on your life experiences, any plans to write something about this experience — once we get to the other side of the pandemic?
There is a germ of a thought... nothing concrete. It will be about motivation, encouragement and life.
I’m one of the pioneers of breaking this myth of typecasting-Anupam Kher
9:02 AM
Anupam Kher says that now he doesn’t have to approach things with a sense of proving himself
Monika Rawal Kukreja (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 16, 2021)
"I would like to believe I have another 25 years to work here," says Anupam Kher, looking back at the his journey of 40 years in Bollywood. With over 500 films to his credit, the actor is “thankful and humbled”, and glad for the hardships he went through. Though 2020 wasn’t too great a year for many, he kept himself occupied — he wrote a book, Your Best Day Is Today, shot for The Kashmir Files, and is currently spreading smiles on social media with the ‘Are You Fine’ challenge. In a candid conversation, Kher, 65, talks about his career, the hits and misses and things that he’s extremely proud of. Excerpts:
It’s going to be 40 years on June 3 since you came to Mumbai. Would you call the journey fulfilling?
I’m thankful to life, the people, to the Almighty... Millions of people come to this city to try their luck and I’m among those very few who’ve done something. I’m not the most talented person but I’m not dissatisfied with life. I’m thankful to all those producers, directors, technicians, junior artists, and public who have loved me. I’m also thankful to my attitude towards life which is of kuch na kuch toh hoga hi.
Having played a variety of roles on screen, is there anything you wish would come your way next?
I’ve another 25 years to work here; may God give me good health and mental stability. Work is only going to get better because now I feel comfortable as an actor; I don’t have to approach everything with a sense of proving myself. I’m a rich man, maybe not with bank balance, but with the kind of work I’ve done. Not many can boast of a filmography that has Saaransh, Daddy, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Silver Linings Playbook, Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Maara, Special 26, etc.
(Late) Rishi Kapoor also said that he got best roles only in his second innings. Are you also hoping for something of that sort?
Rishi ji felt that way because for a long time, he did one kind of films, and he was very good at that. But, I was 28 when I played a 65-year-old man. I have approached life from an actor’s point of view; I didn’t have good looks like him (laughs). Also, today’s audience is ready to accept people for their performance not necessarily how they look. I broke that stereotype. For many years, there was this whole concept in the industry that you should have hair on your head, look a certain way and get a shoot by a certain photographer. That’s it. But acting aani chahiye ya nahin? I feel very happy to say that I’m one of the pioneers of breaking this myth of typecasting.
Would you say the journey was smooth? Or were there any regrets?
I believe in the journey being difficult. When I look back, I’m happy that it had its ups and downs, and roadblocks, because that is where you find your horizons. Only in a situation of difficulty, you discover what you’re made of and that gives you a great feeling of self-belief. And I don’t believe in regrets because they only give you further heartaches. There are so many things to be happy about.
You have finished shooting for The Kashmir Files, a film based on the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits. Was it a tough one to shoot?
What was pent up for 30 years, the catharsis happened during the shoot. But I’ve not given a single shot in The Kashmir Files which wasn’t felt. There were so many breakdowns during the sequences. I’m glad that (director) Vivek Agnihotri decided to put a film together which is truthful to what exactly happened. We’re not putting in interpretations. Let people decide that. Before every shot, I thought of the millions of people who suffered because of that exodus. So it’s my tribute to their tragedy and I’ve tried my level best to be as honest with my emotions and sincerity.
All my younger actors, Aditya Roy Kapur, Varun Dhawan, etc, are not supposed to call me uncle-Anupam Kher
8:12 AM
Madhureeta Mukherjee (BOMBAY TIMES; January 18, 2021)
Anupam Kher spent many months of 2020 shooting in the US, and even now that he is back on the home ground, he has continued working. That apart, whether he is strolling through New York’s Central Park or the rose gardens of Chandigarh, the actor engages his followers and fans on social media with insightful videos and thoughts on life. At 65, Anupam who has excelled as an actor across genres, languages and geographical boundaries, believes that he is at the interval of his life and can give the young breed a run for their money. No wonder, he enjoys a huge following amongst the younger generation, too.
While talking to BT about how the workings in the industry have changed over the years, and how the new breed is very educated and informed, he says, “Look, we all like romanticizing about the past. Isliye antakshari mein hum purane gaane gaate hain. We always say ki pehle aisa nahi tha. The fact is, pehle actors 50 saal tak raaj karte they, ab bechare har actor ko tension hoti hai ki mere last film se mujhe jaana jaayega.”
Elaborating on his interactions with the young ’uns, Anupam explains, “There were certain things that were easier back in the days, but today’s generation has a lot more education and knowledge. They are disciplined, professional and talk to you as equals. They do not give you this false sense ki main aapki badi izzat karta hoon. All my younger actors, Aditya (Roy Kapur), Varun (Dhawan) and others, are not supposed to call me uncle. I do not sit on this pedestal and think ki yeh aayenge aur mere paaon chhooyenge. I feel that I am younger than them and I can give them a run for their money (laughs!). Today, if you are skilled at what you do, then you will get a good opportunity. I tell my students, that if you look different, you have more chances of getting a role in a small budget, OTT project or even a big-budget film. The fact that they are different, they will stand out. Remember that one of the reasons I got my first film Saaransh is because I was bald.”
What we need is our family, our near and dear ones, and a working Wi-Fi connection, of course-Anupam Kher
8:05 AM
Navneet Vyasan (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 17, 2020)
Actor Anupam Kher, who in 2019 released his autobiography titled Lessons Life Taught Me Unknowingly, recently released a book detailing his account of the lockdown. The actor says that writing the book, Your Best Day is Today, was not something that he had planned on. “I did not think about writing this book. I’d penned my autobiography and thought that it would take three or four years to write my next book. But during this Coronavirus pandemic and lockdown, I thought I should write about what is happening with me and with the world,” he says.
A major reason for writing it, he shares, was to spread positivity and help people remember that the pandemic has affected everyone and it is important to stay positive. “I am an optimist. It is important to remain positive in these times. There is so much uncertainty and fear. So I thought the best thing to do is to write what you feel. And in those notes there were positive situations. That is how I started writing it.”
He says he started by writing about what was happening to him, but then family members, including his mother and brother, tested Covid-positive. “Having gone through that situation, I thought if I write about it, people will identify with it,” the Hotel Mumbai actor adds.
The 65-year-old says the lockdown helped many people realise the importance of family. “In these sad times, so many positives came out. We realised that we run after so many things for no reason. We discovered that what we need is our family, our near and dear ones, and a working Wi-Fi connection, of course,” he concludes with a laugh.
Every person who meets with failure at some point, goes through depression. It is human-Anupam Kher
8:49 AM
Madhureeta Mukherjee (BOMBAY TIMES; July 11, 2020)
At 65, Anupam Kher, by his own admission, has more fire in his belly than he had in his twenties. With over 500 films in his repertoire, he has traversed genres and movie industries seamlessly — thriving everywhere he went. Yes, he did step over some stumbling blocks, but he turned them into stepping stones. The actor, who calls himself an ‘eternal optimist’, tells us that his sense of wonder and curiosity about his craft has kept him on his toes all these years. He also explains how in today’s times, we need to express more, instead of finding a shortcut to every emotion.Here’s Anupam Kher, revealing his emotional, expressive and comical self. Read on...
You complete 36 years in the industry, this year. You were 28, when your first film, Saaransh released, where you played a 65-year-old father. Now, at 65, when you look back, how does it feel? Did you have any dilemma about playing a character more than twice your age in your debut film?
I went to drama school (National School of Drama), had heard and learnt about other actors, and read world literature. So, when you are a trained actor, you don’t have these insecurities. I would give my left arm to play a 65-year-old man in my twenties. A lot of people told me, ‘Tu barbaad ho jayega, poori zindagi buddhe ka role karega’. Interestingly, at 28, I pulled off the look of a 65-year-old, but today, at 65, I don’t look like that old man. It feels like the The Curious Case of Benjamin Button story (laughs!). In fact, I broke this myth of actors being typecast in the industry. I have done films as diverse as Karma, Khosla Ka Ghosla, A Wednesday, Shola Aur Shabnam and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. So, I had no such insecurity. At a very young age, my father told me that failure is an event, never a person. On top of it, I am an eternal optimist — it’s a lethal combination.
So, would you say that your education and experiences before you became an actor, made you fearless in a way?
Well, I was confident. I knew that I needed a break and I waited for nearly two-and-a-half years for it. I have tried to be fearless throughout my life… halaki aadmi kuch banne ke baad kam fearless ho jataa hai. Jab aap kuch bhi nahin hote ho and you hit the lowest point, the only way is up. I did face bouts of fear at times, as I was financially in a bad situation, and there were days when I was so depressed and low, tab pata hi nahin hota tha achhe din kya hote hai. When I first came to Mumbai, I lived in Bandra (East), in a chawl with three others. Main har cheez mein achcha hi dhoondta hoon. The address of the house that I was living in then was 2/15 Kherwadi, Kher Nagar, Kher Road. I thought, duniya ki koi takat mujhe rok nahi sakti. I always found comical situations even in the most difficult phases of my life and that’s why I tell people that they should never feel dejected. You should dream beyond the skies. Dreams ka toh syllabus hona hi nahin chahiye. Jitna dream karoge, uska 10% toh kam se kam aasman tak hona hi chahiye. Even after nearly 515 films, I still feel that I haven’t reached the interval of my life.
I assume that’s also the reason why you are not particularly fond of titles like, ‘legend’ and ‘thespian’. And, in some of your earlier interviews, you had said that when you went to work in the West, you wanted to feel like a newcomer...
One of the reasons I wanted to go to America was that here, people had started calling me veteran, thespian, legend. Yahan, har kisi ko legend bol dete hain, when they reach a certain age. Legends are people like Dilip Kumar saab, Raj Kapoor saab, Mr Amitabh Bachchan, Robert De Niro. I am proud of the work that I have done, but titles like these often come with some connotations. It’s like people saying that you have done enough work, so we will now give you a lifetime achievement award and you can walk into the sunset. I do not want to carry the burden of being Anupam Kher on my shoulders. And yes, I wanted to feel like a newcomer, as far as my craft is concerned. Sometimes, it is good to unlearn things, because what you have learnt in the past becomes a burden. This thinking that maine jo kar liya hai wohi aakhri shabd hai...I don’t subscribe to that. I don’t take myself too seriously, and the people who do that are the most comical ones in the world.
When you started work in the West, what did you feel were the most glaring differences between our movie industry and Hollywood?I think that their pre-production is phenomenal. Their sense of time and punctuality are amazing, too. Everyone is a trained actor, no one is there by fluke. They are not there because their parents were somebody. They are thoroughly prepared, right from the spot boy to the producer — everyone is totally immersed in their work. At least, the people that I have worked with so far have been like that. Abhi yahan bhi hona shuru hua hai. Things are changing in our film industry, too.
You came to Mumbai from Shimla in 1981 and got your first break three years later. Today, there is a lot of talk about insiders-outsiders and Bollywood’s privileged club, et al. How was it back then? How much do you think the industry has changed over the years?
In the early 80s, everyone came to Mumbai from small and big towns to make a mark here. Back then, there was no such thing as I am an outsider, and you are an insider. We all had goals and we wanted to achieve them. What has changed over the years, and I am glad that I saw both sides of it, is that our relationships were much stronger. There was no technology, so there was more human contact. After a shot, there wasn’t much choice for us other than sitting with our co-actors and chatting under a tree. Also, that is the reason our old friendships have remained intact over the years. Now, we have PR companies, but back then, a few journalists that I knew were like my friends. Now, with professionalism of this nature, there is bound to be a certain degree of aloofness. The system makes you adapt and that has happened to some extent in our film industry, too. But, when I came here in my 20s, I never felt that I needed to pack my bags and leave, and I don’t know of anyone who felt that way. I don’t think we should divide the industry between outsiders and insiders. Everyone dreams and dreams follow no such theory.
Today, there is a lot of conversation about mental health, and also, the kind of pressures that young actors in showbiz face and where it can lead them. You recently revealed that at some point, you were diagnosed with manic depression. Tell us about what you learnt during that period...In India, there is still a stigma around mental health. I don’t think depression is necessarily attached to any profession. Today, we are all in an environment where people will make you feel that they are better off than you are. If someone has more friends on social networking platforms, the one with lesser followers feels inferior. The world is so much in your face, you are constantly made to feel that you are an underachiever. Real laughter and smiles have been replaced by emojis. We are not seeing and feeling things anymore. Mental health is something we need to talk about. Every person who meets with failure at some point, goes through depression. It is human and natural. It is a sense of loss. Grief ka koi timetable nahin hota, woh kabhi bhi aa jata hai. You have to fight it with positivity, and by talking and listening to people. You have to draw strength from yourself and your family. Usko samajhne mein time lagta hai. In the movie Hum Dono, ek gaana hai, ‘Jahan mein aisa kaun hai jisko gham nahin mila’. It is a fastpaced life, where we are running nowhere. Today, kids don’t have that sense of wonder that you and I have, as they are hooked on to their mobiles. Today’s generation hits the search engine to find quick answers to everything. Knowledge does not translate into experience unless you live that. Jab tak dil toota nahi kisi ki mohabbat mein, aap kitna bhi search kar lo, woh answer aapko online search mein nahin milega. We need to connect and engage more with people around us.
Saaransh made me who I am-Anupam Kher
8:21 AM
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 7, 2020)
Actor Anupam Kher marked his Bollywood debut 36 years ago, and since then, there’s been no looking back. In his illustrious career featuring a variety of roles, Kher feels his debut film Saaransh (1984) helped him reach greater heights and establish himself. “Whatever I am today is because of Saaransh,” he admits, adding, “My character in the film, B V Pradhan, was an honest and fearless person wanting to do something in life. I was 28 back then. Not only did it prove my mettle as an actor, but it also made people silently applaud me for my courage to play a 65-year-old man convincingly.”
The biggest takeaway from his journey, Kher reveals, is to never give up. “I have learnt to enjoy every moment. I have learnt to not take myself seriously, because I’m not here to change the world. You can feel down and out, but it is important to have hope. If you give up on hope, it’s over for you,” he asserts.
Amid the Coronavirus scare, Kher, 65, feels it will be a while before showbiz gets back on its feet. “The entertainment world wasn’t prepared for this. There have been emotional and financial losses. I’m an eternal optimist, so I believe things will be fine soon. Outdoor shoots will be easier than shooting in studios. Necessity is the mother of invention. I’m sure we will invent a way to go about it,” he adds. Having said that, the actor feels we have to learn to live with Covid-19. “It is important to realise that we’re a tiny speck in front of nature. We’ve spent enough time reflecting on how the pandemic has affected our lives. Hopefully, people will be careful to not let it spread further,” he signs off.
I wanted to focus on how Irrfan Khan and Rishi Kapoor made so many people happy-Anupam Kher
9:22 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 4, 2020)
Actor Anupam Kher was “shaken” by the recent news of actors Irrfan and Rishi Kapoor passing away. But instead of dwelling on the sadness of the situation, Kher decided to celebrate the lives of the two accomplished actors, just like he did when his own father passed away. In a new video of the series called When Bittu Meets Anupam, Kher has paid a tribute to Irrfan and Kapoor. He decided to focus on the fact that both the late actors “made so many people happy”.“I don’t want to call myself a celeb during this time. Now, you have to be a responsible citizen of the country, and inspire people. One day before Irrfan [passed away], my yoga teacher’s husband died, who had also been my class fellow once. And then, Irrfan and Rishi went away. I was shaken. When somebody passes away, you suddenly realise the futility of life and success,” says Kher.
Emphasising on how the late actors touched several lives, Kher adds, “It was difficult to make this video because it was sensitive. Film waalon ko aise hi bolte hain ‘yeh toh film waale hain’, but film waalon ne desh ko jod kar rakha hai apne tareeke se.”
A couple of episodes of the series where Kher is seen in double roles are already out, and have garnered a good response. We ask the 65-year-old what prompted him to start this series, and he says it was the “lockdown”. “I didn’t want it to define me, so I decided to do something creative. The philosophy of life needed to be said in a different manner, and I got an idea. There is always an alter ego in you. As we grow, we try to suppress that person who helped us become who we are today, but I have always kept that small-town boy alive in me,” he says.
In the videos, the veteran actor plays a character inspired by him as well as his alter ego, who have a chat with each other. He says he learnt how to shoot it by searching on the internet, and is helped by a friend. Kher shoots the respective portions in one go. “I take five-six hours to rehearse and execute it. I formulate the entire thing in my mind, and keep rehearsing,” he signs off.
Bhagwan ne laat maari hai-Anupam Kher on Coronavirus pandemic
8:19 AM
Radhika Bhirani (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 24, 2020)
The zipping and zooming of autos, cars, bikes, coupled with honking, is a cacophony Anupam Kher has been used to outside his house. But then he draws your attention to birds chirping, in a video where he’s practising social distancing with his long-time friend Anil Kapoor amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Describing the video in which Kher is seen in his balcony, and conversing with Kapoor via video call, as a Romeo and Juliet-like scene, he says, “The luxury of being friends for so long is that you have a sense of humour. But this is also our way of telling the world it’s important that even though you’re friends for 40 years, you need to fulfil social obligations. This social distancing today will bring the world together tomorrow.”
As the self-quarantines spur online content across creative streams, Kher says, “Bhagwan ne laat maari hai and bola hai ki, ‘Behave like humans, don’t become God’. It is God’s way of saying ‘Don’t get into my area’, because human beings have started thinking of themselves as God. But one small virus has put everyone in place... on a mass level worldwide, itni badi learning nahin ho sakti thhi.”
Calling himself an eternal optimist, Kher adds, “Even in the worst situation, there’s a possibility that some goodness will come out of it.”
The 65-year-old returned to India from New York on March 20. And he’s all praise for the safety measures being taken by India. After going through a fever check, filling out health forms, and getting the ‘Home Quarantine’ stamp, he’s staying away from his loved ones. “At a certain point in life, you’ve to take decisions which aren’t just for your own good, but for the better of people around you,” adds the actor, who did a video call with his mother and whose wife Kirron is busy with Parliament.
Also, he feels celebs have an added responsibility as it’s taking people time to register that “something like a virus can affect the whole world” despite technological breakthroughs. Nevertheless, he’s proud of how people are following instructions. “It’s not just the fear of getting the virus, it’s also the realisation of how small you are in the scheme of things,” he shares.
How does he plan to spend time at home? “Getting rid of things I don’t need, extra baggage, extra thoughts, just putting life together. God has given the whole world time to simplify life, whether in thoughts or in materialistic things,” says Kher, who’s planning live online chats as he feels “this is the time when people are in the mood to listen”.
Even though we were poor, I was emotionally secure-Anupam Kher
8:15 AM
Anupam Kher on the importance of being truthful, as he reveals a valuable advice his grandfather once gave him
Navneet Vyasan (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 28, 2019)
When one watches Anupam Kher on TV (in interviews, not necessarily shows), films and most importantly on stage, they find him rather confident. The actor says, “I come across as confident and powerful because I speak the truth.” A graduate of the ’78 batch of National School of Drama (NSD), Delhi, Kher says he has not yet let the “young actor” in him die.
Known for his performances on stage, most recently, Mera Woh Matlab Nahi Tha and Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai, Kher is surprisingly only a year junior to actor Neena Gupta — his co-star from Mera Woh Matlab Nahi Tha — when he was in NSD.
And the concept of the truth, resonates with the actor, when one thinks of Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai for he’s been performing it for almost 10 years now. It was this autobiographical play on “how he made it”, that had him take his audience through different stages of his life. “It is more about my failures than my success”, he says, adding, “When you are from a poor family, you are driven to do something great in life. I have been performing my life story on stage for so many years, that I noticed there are so many minute intricacies that need to be told.”
Kher adds that “even today”, he gets butterflies in his stomach while talking about theatre. “I still feel like throwing up, there is this anxiety that pops up. But it feels good. After all these years, theatre still gives me joy. I have no qualms in admitting that I am what I am because of theatre,” says the Special 26 (2013) actor.
Kher reminiscences, “My grandfather used to say, ‘if you are telling the truth, then you don’t have to remember it’.”
But it is not easy for an actor to always speak the truth. Kher credits the inheritance of his virtue to his family. “It comes from the fact that I gained a lot of emotional strength because I lived in a joint family. Even though we were poor, I was emotionally secure,” he says.
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