An Interview with Anupam Kher
Kavita Chhibber - January 23, 2006
I was planning to take a break this week from the blog, recovering from the flu and behind in deadlines, but thought after seeing the skirmishes on Anupam Kher's lovely blog that I should post this excellent interview which I did with him last year.
I hope this will introduce Anupam to the non Indians on the blog and I’m sure the Indians who are familiar with his tremendous body of work, and his immense acting acumen, will enjoy getting to know the actor as a man.
Let me say that not only is Anupam a brilliant actor, he is one of the most down to earth, affectionate people I’ve met. His sense of humor is terrific, and his thoughtfulness and warmth as he began this interview in Atlanta and continued through California and Detroit, are what I remember most about him. I have added comments to make some lines more comprehensible to the non Indian posters. The interview is very in-depth, so I’m editing some of it, leaving all that which can be appreciated by the diverse audience here. You can always go to my website and read the interview in its entirety.
I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed interviewing him.
"It is said real life happens to you while you are busy making plans. The only thing Anupam Kher planned was to be different. No mean feat for a small town boy, from a non affluent, joint family (where all relatives live together as a community). A mediocre student, cruising aimlessly through the first 19 years of life, Anupam Kher began a journey, on Rs 100, stolen from his mother's temple, that took him to the prestigious National School of Drama, discovering the most enduring passion of his life, acting. That passion netted him the gold medal at NSD, and fueled dreams of becoming an outstanding actor.
Today with 300 plus films, 8 Filmfare awards, a Padmashri(a national honor) in 2004 and many theatre and television laurels under his belt, Kher who was in the country to showcase his autobiographical play Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai (Anything can happen), talks about his failures, the fantasy world of the silver screen, which came crashing down around him when his emotional capacity fell far short of dealing with his stupendous fame, and why in spite of all that he has achieved or survived, this is only the intermission of his life.
Q-You come from a middle class Kashmiri family from Simla. What are the early memories of growing up?
In a small town, and even more so in a hill station, the pace of life is very slow and since nothing much happens, everything gets registered in the mind of a child growing up there. I have very powerful visual memories of my family, and the people of Simla. It was a town full of distinct characters, the typical pan wala(betel leaf seller), the typical sweetmeat seller, the typical barber. My grandfather was an intellectual genius but his sons weren't. But what they lacked in terms of intellectual and material achievements was more than compensated by their generosity, kindness and ability to love. My father would always be losing something in the morning. Being not so wealthy and living in a joint family he would painstakingly hide the Rs. 5 or Rs. 10 note he had at the end of the day and promptly forget where he had kept it. So in the morning he would jump over sleeping bodies and scurry around looking for it.
Once he got into his head that the bread seller was very lucky for him, that he got a promotion because he set his eyes on him. So for weeks, he would get out of bed with eyes shut, stumble over sleeping relatives till he made his way out and would open his eyes only when the bread seller came by and asked "Where are you headed?" Of course the moment the bread seller found out why my father was outside every day, the price of bread was hiked up considerably!
Then I had an uncle who would always start his first sentence with "doosri baat kya hai na.."(and the second thing is) and as kids we would always wonder what was the first thing he had said. He married a village girl much younger than him. My uncle's eyes used to shut when he got angry and when he would yell at my aunt for something, she would disappear just to tease him. He would open his eyes, and on not finding her there, would look for her and then start all over again, meticulously yelling with the same intensity with eyes shut. The transition from opening his eyes looking for her, shutting them again and yelling again was hilarious.
I had another uncle who wanted to be different from his bunch of mediocre relatives and would ritualistically read the newspaper and would take himself so seriously that he became even more comical. He got some book akin to the ones that claim to teach you English in five weeks and as soon as he came across a seemingly impressive English word he would use it extensively. He learnt the word "torrential" one day and said "the rain in this country always falls in the town in torrential types." Our teachers were very funny, but they taught us more about life than anything else and of course in a small town romances progressed at a snail's pace: it took six months even to get a glance from your love interest. I loved films and had to see them on the first day of release. I was crazy about Dev Anand(a leading Indian actor) and would roll up my hair in the front just like him, and rattle off his dialogue from the famous film Guide. Those are memories I cherish to this day.
Q-So did your parents have the usual expectations do well academically and find a good job?
Never. My parents never cribbed about my failures but rejoiced at every little milestone I achieved. I still remember an incident that stands out on my mind and really formed my character. Once every six months my father would take my brother and me to the only five star hotel in Simla and treat us to mutton patties. That was all he could afford.
There was a weird system in high school in my days. You would be automatically promoted to 11th grade and your 10th grade results came out two months into 11th grade. If you failed, you were sent back to 10th grade and it was pretty humiliating. One day my father came over in the afternoon, checked me out early from school and treated me to a very sumptuous lunch at the same five star hotel. After lunch I asked him what is the good news. Did you get a raise? He said No, you failed your tenth grade exam. I said then why did you bring me here and treat me to this grand lunch? He replied, "Because I never want you to be afraid of failure. Since then, I have gone through a lot in life but I remain optimistic and I never give up."
Q-Did you ever think of being an actor from an early age?
Well I was a ham, but that was more to attract attention and stand out than having any lofty dreams of being a star. I started acting in plays in elementary school and started a drama club as early as in 6th grade, calling it Anupam Kala Sangam, and promptly forgetting about it soon after. After finishing school, I joined the government college in Simla, and in between focusing on the "important" topic of how to walk behind the best looking girl around campus to be noticed, I did a play called "Balidan"(sacrifice) in an inter college competition and was so sure I would win the Best Actor award that when I didn't I refused the runner up prize and fainted in a restroom. I think I fainted for some other reason, but it created great dramatic effect! So no at that point, it was just to attract attention.
I decided to do my masters in economics when a friend of mine showed me an ad showcasing the department of Indian theater at Punjab university. I got in after acting as the famous courtesan Vatsayana, a role played later by the lovely actress Rekha in the film Utsav. I think the faculty was more impressed by my adventurous spirit and audacity than my celestial beauty in that performance! From there I went to the prestigious National school of Drama and found my true calling. I didn't know there were so many books on acting and on cinema and when I saw the library I was thrilled. There was so much to read, about distinguished actors, the theory of acting, about cinema. I must have spent at least 10 hours in the library every day, sometimes sleeping only two hours each day and graduated with the gold medal.
Then I went to Lucknow and taught for some time, but I think my friends and I knew we were all headed for Bollywood eventually.
Q-So how was the journey to filmdom?
I am glad I was an optimist. It ran the gamut of all the lows one could think of. At one point, I was in Delhi when Dolly Thakore, the media and TV personality, told me Richard Attenborough was auditioning for the film Gandhi. I said promptly, "Oh I will do Gandhi's role." She said no they have already taken Ben Kingsley for that role and I said well then I will make a super Nehru(India’s first Prime Minister) and so I got a long coat and a rose and rehearsed Nehru's speech on Gandhi's death over and over again.
In my optimistic mind I had already won the Oscar for that role!. A tall skinny man escorted the casting director and us up the elevator to the room where Richard Attenborough was staying. As I entered I heard him saying on the phone "Thanks Roshan I am so glad you have accepted Nehru's role. You will be perfect in it." I saw red and started arguing with Richard-"How can you give the role away without out auditioning me?" Finally he said, "Okay go ahead, audition," and I completely blanked out. Then I said sheepishly "Fine, I will play Abdul Ghaffar Khan." The casting director said sorry I have already hired the tall elevator man to play that role! I vowed never to see Gandhi. Some time later I was struggling to make ends meet and received a phone call telling me there is one single line to be dubbed in Hindi in the film Gandhi, they will pay you a thousand bucks...that was my Oscar winning contribution to the film!
I decided to come to Bombay in 1981 and dragged my brother with me. I told him to work in a factory to support us while I started doing the rounds of producers' offices. It was tough but when you are from a less than affluent family and earn Rs. 10 then at the most, you dream of making Rs. 15. That seems like a huge jump!
When I was struggling to get into films, one thing I avoided was becoming part of a clique. I struggled on my own, and while it was a tough and lonely journey, it taught me to be self reliant. I shifted in with one of my students and our land lady was a dhoban (washer woman). Ironically my address was Anupam Kher, Kherwadi, Khernagar, Kher Road, Bandra East. I took it as a sign that I was meant to stay. I was hardly hero material, my hair was falling out from different directions.
I was not even symmetrically bald as I am today and I was so thin, I used to apply this Russian phrase to myself, "I'm so thin that I can see through a key hole with both my eyes.."
There were days when I felt humiliated, dejected, unappreciated, both as an actor and as a human being and once wrote to my grandfather saying I want to give up, I'm so tired of facing constant rejection. Maybe I should go back to teaching and he said "Bheega hua admi baarish se nahin darta" (a drenched man does not fear the rain). You have worked so hard, come this far, you are almost there, why do you want to leave midway? I realized then that if I didn't fight failure I will ensure it.
Q-And then Saraansh(his first movie0 happened and catapulted you to stardom.
Yes. One day in 1983 I called director Mahesh Bhatt and he said where have you been? I am directing a film for Rajshri Production and you are doing the lead role in it. It was the role of a 65 year old man.
I said God, here I am dreaming of becoming the next Sunny Deol, Mithun Chakravarty(hunky heartthrobs of Indian cinema) and at 27 Mahesh Bhatt gives me the role of a 65 year old man.
But when he narrated the role of B.B. Pradhan a retired elderly school principal whose only son has died in the USA, the dilemma that faces an elderly couple suddenly rendered childless, overwhelmed with hopelessness as they struggle to retrieve the ashes of their child, refusing to bribe a corrupt system, I knew this was the role of a lifetime. I was like a man possessed.
I would wake up early in the morning at the crack of dawn, go to Shivaji Park and watch the children play for hours. I would then take out the picture of my imaginary dead son, wipe it with the edge of my shirt look at it longingly and put it back in my pocket.
This went on for 6 months and then one of my friends showed up at my place and said "I just heard the role is being given to Sanjiv Kumar."(one of the acting giants of Indian cinema). I called Mahesh Bhatt and he said, "Uh well I am sorry Anupam, Rajshri Productions decided they didn't want to risk their money on a new comer and would prefer a star.. Anyway you can have the second lead, an equally good role of the other old man." I packed all my meager belongings, took a cab and climbed all the way to the 6th floor where Mahesh Bhatt lived since even the elevators decided to give up on me. As I entered his apartment he said "Hello Anupam. I am glad you are taking it so sportingly. Sanjiv Kumar is a star and both of you have theater backgrounds, you will create magic together."
I said "Stop it. I am leaving because you are a fraud and a cheat. You sit here giving me lectures on integrity, and for the past six months you have promised this role to me. Now you have the audacity to say I should do the other so called 'equally good role,' because you don't have the guts to tell Rajshri productions only Anupam will do this role. And let me tell you something, even Sanjiv Kumar cannot do this role better than me." I paused dramatically, and then said, "I'm leaving this town for good, but I'm cursing you, the curse of a Brahmin!" And as I stormed down with theatrical gusto, he yelled from the top, "Come back you duffer, you will play the lead." Mahesh Bhatt means the world to me. He taught me to be myself, because in a world of hypocrisy, he is truly a man who has the courage to take home truths in his stride. I never looked back after that. That film netted me the best actor award from Filmfare(the premium Indian film awards) along with several others. Sanjiv Kumar saw that film and with tears in his eyes said "I couldn't have done this role better, Anupam".
Q-Did it go to your head?
Yes it did. Suddenly I was the happening star, signing film after film, shooting hour after hour. It became a running joke that you cannot make a film without two things these day, raw stock and Anupam Kher. Once I was shooting for a film down south and arrived fashionably late at 10 a.m. when shooting was to start at 9, to find that the air conditioning in my make up room wasn't working. I threw a starry tantrum and refused to work until that was fixed. I was told the hero had been waiting in full make-up for me for an hour and I asked "Who is the hero?." "Amitabh Bachchan"(one of India’s greatest superstars) was the answer.
I went out to find the legendary super star seated on a chair, wearing a wig, a beard, and a blanket wrapped around him reading a book. Sheepishly and totally in awe, I approached him, introduced myself and said "Sir, aren't you feeling hot? The air-conditioning isn't working". He looked up from his book and said "Anupam when I think about heat I feel hot, if I don't, then I don't."
The other humbling experience came when the National Awards were announced. They are the Indian Oscars. You win one and it means you are the best of the best. I was extremely confident I would get it for Saraansh and had even invited Mr. Bachchan to join me for a celebratory dinner after the announcements. I lay in my room, a glass of Johnny Walker black label whisky, raised in the air to toast my triumph, the news reader smiled her dimpled smile and said "This year's national award goes to..." I said thank you darling, and she went on " Naseeruddin Shah(one of India’s acting stalwarts) for Paar. The raised celebratory glass took 20 minutes to come down!
Q-How easy was it to do roles like Saraansh at 27 when you were not an old man, the role of Daddy where you played Pooja Bhatt's alcoholic father when you didn't have a child? Was it tough starting at the top with such an amazing role like Saaransh and then working your way through so many movies that were not of that level.
Well, to answer the first part of the question, I guess it's the job of an actor to deliver. I haven't raped anyone in real life but I have done rape scenes in films. You either have an emotional treasure box of memories that you delve into or you have to have a rich imagination and astute skills of observation. I have both, plus I read a lot. Unless I have to portray a historical character or act as an alien, I really don't have to do a lot of homework for my roles. This is a façade a lot of actors put up saying, oh I am working so hard to get my teeth into the role, the emotional graph of my character and it requires so much homework. But in truth, my job is no different from anyone else.
Just like there are good bad or mediocre carpenters, there are good bad or mediocre actors. As for not finding roles like Saaransh, for a long time, I felt the process of work was more important than the end result. I was never so presumptuous to think that I was going to be that one man to change the face of the Indian cinema and I never took myself seriously. I was happy to be working, and didn't bemoan the fact that oh out of the 300 films I have done so far 250 films were rubbish.
I can spend my life wishing I was born in Bill Gates' house or that I wish I was Jack Nicholson. Instead I think God has been very kind to me. How many people from all over the world come to Bollywood to make it in films and survive for over 20 years as I have done and I'm still here! But I have to admit that Daddy came to me at a time when I was beginning to feel a sense of degradation as an actor. The initial euphoria of making it, doing so many films, being wanted by all the producers and directors, working with all those big stars was dying, and I started evaluating my work and myself as an actor, feeling rather miserable at the poor quality of work I was doing. When Mahesh narrated the story of Daddy I was working almost round the clock, doing 25-30 films at the same time, but the need to do this film and reaffirm my faith in myself as an actor of substance was overwhelming. I told Bhatt sahib, I will give you two hours during every shooting. The film was made under ridiculous circumstances, but turned out so well because Bhatt sahib had my complete concentration for those two hours.
Q-Not too many people know that you had a breakdown a few years later and suffered facial paralysis.
It was almost 10 years into being in films. I had made 200 films by then and was working at a break neck speed. One night while I was having dinner at fellow actor Anil Kapoor's house, his wife said "Anupam you are not blinking from one eye." I went to the hospital and was told I had facial paralysis and needed life saving drugs and it would take months to recover. I was shooting for Hum Apke Hain Kaun. That day as I was returning from the hospital, people looking at my face, laughed thinking I was perhaps making that face in preparation for a role. It took several months of electric currents therapy to get back to normal. In spite of being so optimistic, I was not happy. I was beginning to feel I was rusting as an actor and a human being, but then in India you are not a happening actor if you don't have movies. That episode made me realize, there is much more to life than cinema and acting. I started teaching at Dilkhush School, an institution for mentally challenged kids every Wednesday and traveled from all over the world to be there each week for one year. and I have been working now with down trodden children for the last 7-8 years.
Q-You said that when you did Bend it Like Beckham it was like being in an acting workshop.
Bend it Like Beckham began the second phase of my life as an actor. I decided I must wipe the slate clean and start from scratch and do only meaningful films that give me creative satisfaction. For that I must unload my baggage of being Anupam Kher. Today whichever film I am acting in, whether it's Chess or Bride and Prejudice I approach it as a new comer. It adds freshness to my work. Being competent is your biggest enemy. If you are competent you cannot be brilliant. If you tell yourself, I know nothing then you give yourself the potential to excel.
I think failure teaches you far more than success does. When I talked about mine, to cheers and empathy, I felt I was the tallest guy in the world. People try to frighten you by saying they might expose your shortcomings or your failures...but now what will they frighten me with?
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Posted by Kavita Chhibber at January 23, 2006 02:12 PM
Comments
Thanks Laurence. I thought it would be fun for everyone to get to know anupam and his remarkable journey. I will post my interview with Rahul Khanna also one of these days and some other favorites.
I dont think anyone meant ill on anupam's thread just a few wires got crossed..all the people concerned are well intentioned, and I know have the heart to forgive and forget. This was one of the most fun interviews I did and remains one of my favorites.
"Because I never want you to be afraid of failure. Since then, I have gone through a lot in life but I remain optimistic and I never give up."
Great to hear that. I don't like the attitude of non-acceptance of failure by many people which is ugly. Aceeptance of success & failure alike takes us beyond both in an unwavering state of mind & education system/parents should understand this that life is all about being centred & not success. ; - )
I hope i do make some sense.
Cheers, Rohit
First off i must say, I'm a non-indian, but I am both familiar with his work, and a fan. I love interviews and this was a really great read. Thank you for posting it, Kavita! :)
Thank Rohit..my favorite anupam quotes are "Being competent is your biggest enemy. If you are competent you cannot be brilliant. If you tell yourself, I know nothing then you give yourself the potential to excel." and
"I think failure teaches you far more than success does."
Ameya, awesome that you know about anupam. Its really heart warming for me to know that some of our finest actors are appreciated by a diverse audience.
The first part of the interview where he talks about his uncles is Hilarious........It really made me laugh..... :-)
Thanks Seema,
we all have such uncles and relatives and friends, who do such cute/funny things..
read some of your posts in other threads. you are a very remarkable and cool woman..all the best to you in life always.
Kavita....I really hope people get to see What a Man he is!!! Why I admire him as much as I do Dear Deepak.
I really like that thing you had mentioned before in earlier blog. You told me "Sachin People see what they want to see". This one has gone down as a golden saying in my book Dear Kavita!! I had replied to you that I'm not the one who does that...but someone who sees the complete picture. You're Right with rare exceptions...nobody wants to see the complete picture basically!!
Thanks for that Gem Kavita!
Love...Sachin
A penniless, homeless, aspiring
http://ravikopra.blogspot.com/
http://ravikopra.blogspot.com/2006/01/red-t-shirt.html
U r also a cool and remarkable woman Kavita.....
where do u live ????
in India or US ???
when u like a person u want to know more about that person....
Hi Seema,
I live in Atlanta the US.
Thanks Sachin.
Thanks ! Kavita
Sachin bura na mano to ek baat kahu...
tumane ye doha suna hai (pata nahi kabir ka hai ki rahim ka yad nahi thik se bachapan me padha tha)
Nindak niyare rakhiye aangan kuti chhawaye
bin sabun pani bina nirmal karat subhaye
tumako hindi aati hai isliye translate kerne ki jarurat nahi hai....aise logo ko door jane keliye nahi kahna chahiye...
Kavita : I strongly believe that.....Actions speaks better than words
I like to really practice what I believe in...at my work place...at home ...in the neighbourhood where I live....
Dear Kavita,
Thank you for sharing this interview with Anupam Kher. It is a nice compliment to the article he wrote!
I have a career in the arts. It is hard work, and it requires dedication in the face of much rejection and criticism. To be as I am - with talents and gifts unique to me, and still Be what some else wants, or portray wanting me to Be - can be challenging.
...Down to earth, affectionate, sense of humor, thoughtfullness, and warmth ... is an irrestible combination! Blessings to you, Anupam.
dearest Kavita, do take good care of yourself. Your love and caring always come shining through in your words, and your actions.
With love,
~ Kate
Kate:
"Now that I have found you I don't want to let you go,because nothing compares to you"
I am going to send this note to somebody (for valentines day)...he doesn't understand hindi so this will work for me...
Thanks!!!
Lovely uplifting interview Kavita! Fantastic story; I just love the "family anticdotes" and I could picture Uncles scrambling across sleeping bodies.
Anupam, you are amazing; with an amazing life and career! Continued success.
Kavita, continued success's to you as well; you are also pretty amazing doing your interviews. Good work, and wonderfully inspiring, as I take these thoughts of joy to my waiting pillow; and quite glad to have you back at Intent, and feeling better from wintery ills. Continued prayers for Sudha and Ajit.
North
Kavita, could the journalist community in the world made to bring this issue under global scrutiny.
A story of oppression that Indians, supposedly Hindu, never hear much about.
Forced conversions rampant in Pakistan
http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/jan2006-daily/24-01-2006/main/main13.htm
An excerpt:
In many cases where it was claimed the girls had eloped with their Muslim partners, the HRCP found that most were, in fact, abducted, forcibly married to Muslim men or sold to them. There have been cases of Hindu girls, usually from economically better off families, eloping with their Muslim boyfriends.
Rehman says in most cases such marriages didn't last long. With links to their families cut off, the girls were subsequently forced to marry another Muslim or sucked into marriage rackets. Nuzhat Shirin, who works for the Lahore-based Aurat Foundation, understands why girls don't reveal their plight at the time they are presented in court.
"When a Hindu is forced to become Muslim, such a ruckus is made that if the young kidnapped girl appears in court, the fanatics yell, scream, throw rose petals in the air and follow the youth into the building so that she's intimidated and can't speak," Shirin explains.
Social stigma arising from the loss of virginity, and the consequent difficulty of finding a groom, prompt these women to accept their misfortune and hope for the best. Fifty incidents in five years represent just a percentage of the total number of cases, says Kanjee, pointing out that a majority of such crimes go unreported.
Enjoyed this wonderful interview with lots of precious nuggets.
Dear sweet Seema,
You have a lovely way of writing and it is a joy to see you sharing more and the courage you have shown to make difficult changes, and to move, and start anew! Many blessings to you. May you capture more hearts, as you have mine! :)
~~ Kate
hi kavita,
wish i were famous so that beautiful COOL girls like you will take my interview too...lol.
with all such rush and deadlines hope you dont lose all your chrisma by the time i become famuous and you come to interview me...
just kidding...enjoyed your guftgu with anupam...
harb
Dear Kavita,
Thanks for posting that interview of mine on the blog and also saying such warm things about me. It was wonderfull giving you this interview.
Take care,
love,
Anupam.
P.S. Thanks also to all those who commented.
Dear Kate:
The paowerful,loving,inspiring presence of Genuine people like u,Harb Kavita,Kaveeta (I miss her),sundar,Ameya,suchitra,rahul,North,Gotham,Geeta...on this blog ...makes me feel safe to express myself either in broken english or Hindi...
Dear Kate:
As I said I work for a store called Bloomingdale's.....Th Bloomingdale's in Newyork is very famous....here is a joke about that Store...
A lady in Newyork was preparing her will.She tells the Rabbi that I have two wishes.First ..when I die Cremate me and second put my ahses in Bloomingdale's...not sure about the second wish,rabbi askes the lady...but why Bloomingdale's? The lady says...that way my daughters will visit twice a week :-)
lol, seema, interesting...but who said your english is broken...it is fine...it is totally Bloomingdalian lol
where you belong to in india?
Thank you Seema, Kate, North, Vish, Arjun and Harb. Seema, the bloomingdale joke was priceless! Actions indeed do speak louder and better than words at time, and it takes a lot of courage to live your life by your principles. Great that you can do it. Its a daily struggle to live well, stay happy and healthy in today's world, when every body is too busy running!
Kate, I know what you mean...some time ago, when I was planning to head to law school because I thought that would be a more stable career financially a man who I respect and love very much, and whose vision and advice I value as I would my father's, asked me-"but what is your passion in life? what is it that you would love to do if finiancial stability wasnt the criteria?" I said-"write..its like breathing oxygen for me"..he said.."then you are going to law school for the wrong reason. Remember always, if you have the courage to follow your passion, success will always follow you, because you will never make a mess of what you love to do." He was right. I'm glad you are doing what you do, because you love it, and are who you are because you believe you want to be that person.Takes a lot of courage again, but I believe that in the end we are only answerable to ourselves, no one else.
Arjun, will try and look into that piece. I remember reading about such an episode, but not living in Pakistan, it becomes hard to verify information.
Harb, I know very soon many cool gals will be clamoring for your attention. Aditi hunterwali is visiting me and may become a journalist just to meet you! may every success be yours.
North, what can I say..glad you enjoyed the interview..we need such inspiring stories like Anupam's in our lives..makes us believe nothing is impossible..as anupam said " If I don't fight failure, I will ensure it" what amazing words of wisdom!
kavita, i said cool gals not hot like nadira err aditi hunterwali lol.
anyway thank you for the wishes!
Dear Kavita Chhibber,
Being a westerner, I had never heard of Anupam Kher before. Now that I have read his first post, and your fine interview with him, I feel this has been my loss.
What a great life story!
His memory of his roots and special moments, like the blind man on the train, and how his Father took him to the 5 star restaurant after he flunked 10 grade, these are beautiful memories, from an obviously beautiful and talented soul.
I am looking forward to the time I can see some of his movies, and hear more of his sharing. Thanks for introducing him to me.
Kind Regards,
Stan
Kavita...I'm also thinking of becoming...blind to reason...but fully Immersed in Emotions and heart, without giving a damn to logic and objectivity.
Truly...Sachin
Just wanted to point above that Anupam Kher responded to this post, but it was blocked for some reason. You will see it above now. Mallika
Hi Kavita, the few hindi movies I have watched with Anupam in them I have been very impressed with his talent. You have done a great job of interviewing him.God bless.
thank you every one. Stan, and geeta am really glad you liked the interview. In fact Anupam I am about to recommend your latest offering to every one. If you have not yet seen it, this movie Maine Gandhi ko Nahin Mara(I did not kill Gandhi) is a must! Anupam's amazing performance is nothing short of breath taking and for all the non Indians, this movie is already available to rent on dvd at various Indian grocery stores. All movies have english subtitles, but even if they didnt you dont need them to see anupam emote.
I'm planning to see it all over again. Congratulations Anupam-yet another feather in your cap and may be that elusive national award is round the corner!
Kavita,
I was busy and was not able to read anything...hows Sudha ji? Nowadays i'm at Oncology floor and she is always in my thoughts and prayer.I hope and pray for her recovery. You will not believe but i was reviewing cocktail of chemo meds and kept thinking about sudha ji's hair.
If i can help in anyway let me know....
Kavita,
I loved Anupam Kher's interview and his post on Blind Date too.I think he is one of the finest actor in Hindi Cinema...Maine Gandhi ko nahin Mara is one of his finest performance...amazing actor..
This is for Anupam:
I loved your movie Daddy, this movie is closest to my heart for very personal reasons...
Hi Andaleeb,
thank you for your kind words. Sudha ji had her pet scan today, since the cat scan could not determine whether a lesion on her right lung was benign or not. We will know the results between 2-4 days and I guess after that surgery/mode of treatment will be determined.
She is staying positive and her son Ajit is really a very calming strong presence. Her husband is obviously stressed out. I think its the uncertainty-its been more than 4 weeks of tests, that creates the anxiety.
I'm very confident that with so many people praying for her, she will pull through.
thank you once again for your concern.
Dear Kavita,
It has been a busy day, and now to intent to read and share.
I will see about renting Maine Gandhi. I am so pleased to read your article about Anupam's work, and some of the special experiences that have shaped and influenced his career and personal life. This is a nice compliment to the article Anupam Kher gave us at intent.
I too, like many others, carry Sudha in healing thoughts and prayers. Blessings to her family, and husband. May he feel lifted and comforted too.
With love,
~ Kate
The tests...take forever. Sometimes i feel why there is no cure for cancer...I personally believe Cancer tratment/Cure/research Is a billion Dollar industry..
Sometimes....we all at work cry how this disease takes everything away......but there are very happy endings too...Lets all hope for the best...
My coworker at work is 21 year old, and she is diagnosed with Cervical cancer....She has a very positive Attitude..
Hi Kavita, yes I was really touched by the quote you mentioned; I must make it my new mantra, to stay focused and positive, as a new road is paved before me with each step forward towards a dream!
Keeping Sudha in my prayers of strength and healing as well Kavita. I'm keeping a candle lit each night for Sudha and her family in my Hopi candle holder - hoping the whisps of smoke and scented perfume, will find their way across the many miles to find their nostrils; and they will breathe in the peace, love and healing prayers, it's being sent with; may they feel the warmth of caring, on their heavy burdened shoulders.
North
Thanks Kate, Andaleeb and North. I know the family is very grateful for all your prayers and good wishes. They know about the prayers and reiki healing sent to Sudha from intentblog and asked me to thank all of you just a short while ago.
Andaleeb, a friend of mine in the pharma industry said if they find a cure for aids and cancer, the pharmeceutical companies will collapse.That's why they create enough to let people survive may be but not to cure.
I heard the same thing about the pharm company Kavita, by watching documentaries on it; freaks me out, what is pointed out as a crude "marketing scheme" of peoples diseases and dying; what a breach of trust, huh?
I've seen so many men and women when I lived in the projects, get hooked on narcotic painkillers; within a short time after herniating a disc, or losing a limb; their marriages crumbled, blah and blah.
Whatever happend to: "First, do NO harm?" so, being as I can no longer trust the medical field; I rely solely on faith and hope, each time pain becomes unbearable.
I am trusting in myself and the Universe, to cure me; b/c the medical society cannot!
North
Kavita...You're spot on! With the Pharma industry. Their business wud collapse..for the sake of money they want Sickness to remain in the world...a lot of Medical fraternity(having been in that field) is on the same lines. They are Butchers in the white coat(bitter truth).
You will be shocked to know the dirty tricks of that trade. I'm Glad people are very aware and openly talk abt it.
Truly...Sachin
Thanks North, Sachin-I believe Michael Moore is planning a documentary to expose the pharmaceutical industry and last year just that announcement was creating ripples. A memo leaked to Moore by a disgruntled employee at Pfizer the Pharmaceutical giant had instructions to call security and a specific number in case Moore was seen lurking near a Pfizer facility or seeking interviews.
More power to Moore..
Yes Kavita...from time to time I do hear abt this. There has been a great change just in the recent, say the last decade....the awareness amongst people has led them to see thru' their money driven intentions at the cost of human lives.
I've seen BELITTLING a trademark of this forum like many more. I think it has gone to the Art Form now. I think it is the easiest thing to do on this Earth. It falls under the category of a topic called "Self preservation of the Ego". Basically defence mechanism to preserve oneself. Once you go even in little depth...you'll be shocked to know what people DO in those mechanisms. The classic sign being Objectivity and Openmindedness lost.
Anyway....that's human nature. One's got to ponder over the Creator abt its creation. But as so many times I've told this on this site, it's there the change has to be made and that people like Dalai lama, Deepakji have so wonderfully talked abt this.
Aapka kuch farz bantha Dost ke naathe kisiki madath karna. Friends are not meant for selfish reasons Kavita. I know you...you've changed lives with your love&support and I can only admire that. You got to do it one more time.
Love...Sachin
Hi Kavita; well, I wish Michael Moore all the best on this one about pharmaceutics; to me, they rule north america, enslaving us to their legal drug trade, so to me, they are nothing but legal drug pushers!
North
Hi North, according to reports I think Moore's next movie, already in production is about the US health care system- hospitals, medical insurance companies and hopefully big pharma companies will come under investigation.
HI Kavita, Oh...well, I sure hope so as well; it's about time they are exposed for what they really are and do! I sure wish we had a Michael Moore in Canada!
North
I was waiting till the open thread. Since you guys are discussing it, I thought I will wish you here itself. Congratulations. You must be excited about the results. Have fun till next elections :-)
Kavita,
I'll watch the movie...These insurance companies are giants which engulf evrything.They pretty much dictate what kind of treatment one can have ...what not...With my recent health issues i found out that you cannot have a screening mammogram before 35 and in some companies before 40.The doctor has to say it is for diagnostic purposes..blah blah...The sad truth is in United states 12,000 women in their late 20's and early 30's get breast cancer without any prior family history.Very few or no insurance company covers screening mammogram..
And just to let you know that i'm feeling very good today...i chopped my hair all 15 inches and gave it to locks of love...Now my head feels light...I can almost do some thinking...
Ha, we are discussing health care more than anupam's interview..mallika where are you? we need the open thread!
Andaleeb; here in Canada; for my atrophic stomach, to be able to get losec, domperidone and sucrlafate; they have to "lie & say" I have an ulcer(which I do) however, the meds is for the atrophic gastritis! I asked why, the need for a lie; and they said, the system covers losec for ulcers; but figure if your stomach is dead; it's not necessary? hah!
OK, off to find the open thread.....
Krish, no, i'm not happy with our Canadian election results whatsoever; minority governments seldom rule the whole 4-year term; so having two costly elections in one year; and another possible one soon; Canada faces losing staggering amounts of money spent ON elections; when it could have fed thousands of families for a year!!
North
Dear Anupam, are your movies available in Canada? IF so, where/how?
Have you ever made a movie IN Canada, and do you plan to visit my country one day?
Lastly; would you give us the privilage of indulging us, with how it was like on your first film; and/or winning your first, of many awards?
Best Regards,
North
Hi North
Please check http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0451600/ for a list of films Anupam Kher has acted in. His films can be purchased on DVD from many online sources. Most of the films he's made in the past 15 years are available in a DVD format that's compatible with DVD players available in Canada.
For North American and European readers not into Hindi films, Mr. Kher is considered by many (including me) to be India's pre-eminent comic / character actor. He is absolutely brilliant. The more of his films you see, the more you will understand his genius.
Cheers, Heather
Thanks North and Heather. I must add that North it may be cheaper to rent those movies than buy them. Not all are worth keppeing. Most are available in Indian grocery stores if you visit toronto..some stores will sell you videos for a buck with english subtitles, though the last time Iwas in canada I picked up dvds as cheap as 3.99 canadian.
I'll be happy to give you the names of his best films from the 300 plus he has acted in. The latest one-Maine Gandhi ko nahin mara is not a comedy-but one of the most deeply moving films I've seen. This one is worth buying.
bend it like beckham, and bride and prejudice ofcourse will be available even in blockbuster and other canadian video stores.
Andaleeb, Richard Thomas has made some very valid points in the open thread.
Maybe I'll post my thoughts in a blog next week, about my experiences and those of friends with the american health care system.
Hi Kavita, Heather, thanks! Kavita, where I live, we don't have bargain stores; our mall is so small; it's more of a giant store, with a few little stores...I saw Bend it like Beckham though, if it's the one I think it is --is this the music one with I think, Julia Styles? I loved that movie!! Also, Bride and Prejudice was on last week, so it'll prob be on satellite again; so hopefully i'll catch it next time it's on.
Lovely sunny thursday here; but absolutely chilly out there!! brrrrrrr
North
Watched Bride and Prejudice, from 2-4 AM!! One of those sleepless nights, as a blizzard stormed and howled outside; blanketing the ground with a winter coverlet of white-sparkled snow!
Dear Anupam, I loved the movie! I laughed, cried, and wanted to dance too! Great, feel-good movie, with a happy ending! The bright clothes and sets, were spectacular! The songs/music/singing; right into my heart!
You were fantastic Mr. Kher...you have just found a new fan, in me; and this is certainly a movie I now want, in my collection!
North
Kavita,
A great interview, as usual!! Anupam Kher is a great actor, and I loved this interview because he was so honest in it. I actually met him many years ago, and he was very friendly and down to earth.
As usual, a wonderful interview, Kavita. Anupam Kher is a great actor and I loved his honesty in this interview. I met him as a schoolkid many years ago and he was very friendly.
what I loved about Bride and Prejudice; was the way they were able to show the social issues women face in India; showing the modern twist to a womans individuality from her family's expectations; family pressures to marry must be a most difficult issue for women!
I absolutely loved all the dancing, the singing...I love musicals, and this one swept me up, in it's fun currents... I cried when "she" cried...I "laughed" when she laughed...
With such a great cast, and with Anupam; the movie found a place in the archives of my heart...and will eventually find a copy on my movies shelf(smiles.)
Anupam; what is on your agenda as a new film project?
North
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Recent Comments
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North commented on An Interview with Anupam Kher
what I loved about Bride and Prejudice; was the
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manjari commented on An Interview with Anupam Kher
As usual, a wonderful interview, Kavita. Anupam
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manjari commented on An Interview with Anupam Kher
Kavita,
A great interview, as usual!!
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North commented on An Interview with Anupam Kher
Watched Bride and Prejudice, from 2-4 AM!! One
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North commented on An Interview with Anupam Kher
Hi Kavita, Heather, thanks! Kavita, where I liv
Kavita,
I know nothing of what is transpiring on the thread written by this guy. The gods have seemed to spare me indulgences in negativity since I took a stand for positive interaction.
As you may know I worked in Hollywood and we arrogantly believe we are the center of the film world so forgive me for not knowing who your subject is.
With that said I must say his words are a complete inspiration to me. Had I read this article years ago I may not have turned my back on my acting career.
Now let me visit his thread and see what trouble I can get myself into.
Oh and so nice to have you back lady.