In the circus called life, we sometimes become that Joker. And in the night, when we lay our head on the pillow, we feel like going to that doctor.

Wonderful share, Dear Anupam Kher!

Amazing, the dying man was the clown; how sad the clown inside.... until doctor made him realize his "worth" perhaps...to all those whom watch him clown for them?

I really liked this story; and I must say, I really liked Bride and Prejudice, Anupam...you were great; the movie was fantastic.

North

beautiful share, anupam....mera naam joker...who can forget that movie!!!

Hi Mr. Kher,

I was diagnosed with cancer about two months ago and this has been the most difficult time of my life so far. Only the person themselve knows how they feel and having someone tell them to do this or the other does not help.

Janelle

Dear Mr. Kher,

nice story. I think we have to think over the world, because there are many good thoughts in your story!

Greetings

nice story...
I like the irony...
perhaps the joker is taking life too seriously, he won't get out of it alive ;)

btw.. watched "rang de basanti", awesome movie... all my friends loved it, although ending was a bit dramatic like in all hindi movies, the message came across nonetheless.

Hey Anupam, I liked what Rahul had to say. Also, a quote by Saul Bellow comes to my mind on reading the ironical note in your blog. " Life" he says, "is like giving a concert on the violin while learning to play the instrument".

Hello Anupamji

I am glad you made the movie "Meine Gandhi ko nahi Maara.

Keep up the good work.

Nice but sad story....a very sad truth of life...whatever happens even if you are sad...you keep on doing things you keep living.I read somewhere during hindi movie lamhe shooting sridevi's mom died but she did a comedy scene...

Janelle,
I have learned a lot from cancer patients...I can never know how you feel but i send you my warmest regards.....I hate this disease process...it takes everything away from you...I salute you with respect and love...It is not easy...to be in your situation.My prayers are for you.May you find inner strength peace and courage to face each day...

Dear Janelle, so sorry to hear of your cancer diagnosis! wow; it's like being hit with a brick building isn't it?

I resonate dear Janele, b/c in 1998, I was diagnosed with an incurable stomach disease; which shut down my stomach in like nine months it took to get diagnosed.

There is no cure for atonic/atrophic gastritis. All the chemo or radiation will not help me.

I resonate with the compounding effects of being "told" what to do, how to think, how to feel inside; when we are being crushed from every angle.

but, Janele; specialist told me, I'd be dead within 2-5 years; and would have stomach cancer. I've known many locals/friends whom died of the same disease in 2-5 years time of it's exposure.

Janelle; I am on my 7th year with it; coming this spring... I have climbed mountains of anger/fear, and swam in rivers of my tears... I've lost a portion of my breast to a tumour, removed in 98..I was so stubborn, I was 41,,and finished my college year; before I'd have it out.. I was in major denial... thinking it would merely go away.

It took me years to come to grips!! I have no one really, to talk to about it either; as nobody wants to hear it...it makes most people feel helpless...

Time - It soothed my heart; it did not soothe my path...nor smooth the bumps, the rocks I was to walk on...and will continue to do so; while on this path.

Janele; do what is best for YOU! IF you feel like crying...then cry. IF you feel like laughing, then laugh. IF you feel like being angry; and you have that right...beat a pillow...it feels great...doesn't hurt anyone or yourself; and it expels some of that negative energy in a good way!!

I beat my pillow less and less these days; but, there are times of the fear when the pain is so great; that I can't tolerate/handle it. I can't even take pain medication b/c it makes me toxic and sicker. so, I tolerate the pain without help.

I know,,this disease will claim me one day...and I know too, how awful it will be...I have seen too many doctors and specialists in the past almost seven years..not to "know" and I am "getting there" however slower than they predicted... at least though,,,

my faith and trying to self-heal; has given me a longer life, two years(thus far) longer than I was initially given to live, by 3 different specialists! so have hope...Janele...let us prove medical science wrong,,,, together?

so, just wanted you to know; there are many of us suffering "with you" dear Janele...and if you need a shoulder, an ear to listen... EM me...

I am not a survivor OF cancer; but, I am certainly a survivor of incurable atrophic gastritis!

spiritnorth(at)hotmail(dot)com

North

Very thought-provoking story by Mr.Kher.

Dear Janelle,
My thoughts are with you. Having a family member battle cancer has made me aware of the unique challenges that cancer patients face. It is simply not fair.
However, know that you are a real hero who, through your fight, can teach others the meaning of life and survival. My thoughts are with you and may you find the strength in yourself and in your loved ones to overcome this.

Sonali

Dear Anupam,
wonderful, thought provoking post as always..who was it who said smaan sau saal ka kal ki khabar nahin..(accumulated luggage for 100 years, and dont know about tomorrow). each story like this make us realize the significance of this present moment and you are a living example of what a man can do against all odds. I know others will be inspired by you.
Janelle, my prayers and love are with you. Having seen two friends battle cancer and kidney failure makes me realize how fragile life is. I will highly recommend lance armstrong's biography..it is inspiring and honest..and I know you will be well..there are many loving people on the blog who will send you healing vibrations.
take care

Beautiful post !!!!!!

....I don't know why I have shared this story with u...

Here is my guess...May be at some point of time u have indentified urself with the ..Joker...

at some point of time in ur life...

Hi Anupam:

"Kaun sunega meri chaak daamani ke afsaane;
yahan to sab apne-apne pairhan ki baat karte hain."

(Who will listen to the story of my torn clothes,
Everybody is busy touting their wardrobe!)

If only time could stop ... so people could notice.. and for that - if only people could stop carrying their baggage of egos and mind around...

... life is a stream.. maujon ki rawaani hai!

Go along..

Cheers,
Desh
Drishtikone.com

Hi Desh,
Your comment caught my eye!
Are you soaking wet in that stream?
Ah, skinny dipping again, and no towel in sight. :)
Come, take my hand, step out of the flow, and into the arms of Clear Awareness. Do leave your mind behind!
~ Kate

sorry if I sounded like a broken record to some here at Intent; I was just trying to inspire Janelle to "imagine" beyond the "diagnosis" into the possibles instead..

with of course my experience as a good motive; as I assumed she doesn't know; and, being as it's true... I was hoping to be an inspiration to her:

to break beyond the fear of the diagnosis; and strive for freedom....stay active... we can either continue to participate in life; or only sit and witness it... I chose to be a player; and what I'm saying IS; that has been what is keeping me "free."

Those who turn away from pain; hold pain closer than the one, concious of their pain...releasing it, is only a matter,,,,of choice.

North

Dear North,
Your words are always heart-felt. Each journey to health and wholeness is unique. To reach with care and words of encouragement, is indeed, a good gift.

When my daughter was most critically ill, I sought out others to know - how and who could recover from this kind of illness. It was a lamp of hope and inspiration.

Let your light shine. Your warmth and care come shining through.
Blessings,
~ Kate

Desh :

I am here to listen to ur story....

Kate:
Your words are always soaked with love....they soothe my mind...

I know K.. I wasn't looking for a "nod"(smiles) but, some here have made thier discontent of my talking about my life...known..so I've been trying to shut up a little(giggle)

but, I spoke about it one more time for Janelle; to inspire her to BE alive, in her thoughts..let doom and gloom pass. let the shock, go..let the fear, and the anger,,,find another place to reside.

Been there, done the harbouring of those things..and ultimately; I know firsthand; that the power of the Spirit is greater than the mind, the fear, the pain,,,and prepares us for the unknowns that always come our way..

Just, believe...that you are well Janelle..and you can/will BE.

I think; if my perception is not off mark; that this is what Anupam's story was intended for?

May all the powers that BE; find you recieving "well" Janelle...

North

It made me sadder.

Hi Anupam ji,
I am a great admirer of yours as an actor and as a human being also.I also admire your stand when you was the chairman of Censure Board?Why don't you write something about it?What is your opinion on the Openness trend in the movies that is currently going on?What do you feel when people like Mahesh Bhatt,with whom u worked also,call themselves prostitute and make movies just to titilate the audience?
Why do we forget that ours is the country of great traditions and we are being respected all over the world because of this only.People who advocate openness will talk about Khajuraho and Kamasutra to justify their stand but they forget other good things that prevailed in that time.
I know I m off-track but I would wait for your views on this issue.
Thanx for above story too.

Unexpected irony. The mother of all surprises. Very touching. It's very inspiring to know the number of people that try to fight their out of a way devastating, fatal disease. Whether they do it or not is another question altogether. The attempt should definitely pep up and inspire other more able people to do greater things in life. It's ironic, isn't it? That healthy people should look for an aid to build their confidence from unhealthy people, when it actually should be the other way around. Very interesting place. Will make sure I come around often.

*-fight their way out of a-

Hi Anupam,
The clown in your story should really be feeling contented and worthy because people believe that he can make others feel better.
I like to be around those that thank life for what it has given them and make others feel worthy and better.
-Priya

Thanks to all for your words of encouragement, it's much appreciated.

Janelle

Dear Janelle, I was sure hoping you'd come by again today..

This intent blog has many wonderful healers, willing to reach across the universe, to send another healing Reiki, prayers and warmth of embracement.

Intent, is a soft cloud..sit with us; and tell us your thoughts Janelle..perhaps, all-together; we can derive with you,,,a path of good intentions and healing with/for you?

May the universe conspire to embrace you to it's bosom of compassion, understanding, hope and peace..as we aspire to be with you in Spirit.

North

Dear Anuji,
Please know that your friend is in my prayers...may he have healing comfort and peace.
Thank you for sharing your story.

Dear Janelle,
Love and prayers to you also for strength and healing.

God Bless,
Angela

Sorry, I posted with signature "Angela" this is my middle name, I stopped using it here, to prevent mixup, because of someone else who came aboard as Angela.

So, I will continue with

Cinda

Anupam, Hi, beautiful post. The person who lightens everybody's burdens, who brings laughter in people's lives is sad. May be he is not happy with the role of joker. May be he wants to be the star of the show. May be no one nurtures him. May be there are a lot of negative stressors in his life. May be although he knows how to be a joker he does not have social skills, and has no friends. May be he needs to see a counselor, or a psychologist. Better yet he needs to pray and meditate.Sorry I am letting my left brain take over.

God bless you Anupam.

JANELLE, hi, here is a cyberhug, and some Reiki energy. May you be surrounded by beautiful healing green light. May the divine blessings ease your pain, anxiety, and heal you.Love and Light. Geeta.

Nice post Anupamji. I get your dilemna. But thats a dilemna many of us face in our professional life, and thats what makes it extraordinary, that despite your personal pains, one does not get stopped in his commitments. One is no more a victim of ones emotions, but a master of them. Kudos to you Anupamji. And BTW, Rang De rocks!!

hi ANUPAM,THIS WORLD IS FILLED WITH PEOPLE BUT EACH ONE HAS HIS LONELY STORY,I GUESS PEOPLE SHOULD REALISE SOON THAT U SHOULD KNOW THE ART OF KEEPING YRSELF HAPPY AND PEOPLE AROUND AS WELL AND BE ON THE PATH FOR INNER PEACE,I PRACTISE VIPASSANA AND IT IS SURELY A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION...

Dear Anupam,
A very nice share. If you yourself feel like the clown in the story and are living with any spiritual burdens weighing heavily on you, just derive comfort from the number of smiles you bring to the faces of people with your work and everyday life. Just count the number of blessings you receive everytime you do something good.

Life has given you its just rewards, albeit a bit late, apparently. Be thankful for it. I once read somewhere......The best way to repay a favour is to pass it on.

If you feel you have everything in your life which you wanted to have, then start helping others now. They need not necessarily be the ones who helped you in your lows. They could be complete strangers as well.

Dear Janelle,
Everyone on this planet is going to die. Some sooner than the others. Everyone on this planet has to live with some pain or the other. Yours is cancer. Life is all about trying to overcome these obstacles and still having a smile on your face.

Cheers!
Navin

It is nice to see ur valuable comment after a long time.....Hope u r having nice time in Bombay...(how is ur neighbour Rani ....:-)...

good story, anupam ji. has it anything to do with the fact that you always look in your pictures either like that joker or as suffering like that man with the cancer?

anyway, hi all, here is an other relevant story:

a king used to remain overly depressed and his council concluded that he needs a bit of happiness.

so the king goes to a wise man and asks him how to be happy. the wise man advises the king that for that he must wear the shirt of a really happy man of his kingom.

the king sends his men to find out a really happy man all through his kingdom, but finds to his amazement that they are unable to find even one really happy man.

then some people tell the king that they have seen a person living in those far hills of his kingdom who is always happy..no one has ever seen him sad.

so the king goes to him and tells his story and requests him for his shirt.

the person living in the hills laughs loudly on hearing this to the bewilderment of the king and says..."but king, you can see i have no shirt...."

******
just to add lest some should think that so there will be no way to be happy in this world except by giving up on everything, that there is an other way in which you can be happy..just do away with the sense of ownership. consider it in your minds that all that you possess is really god's/nature's and you are merely a trusty of all this for a few years...and you will just be happy whatever the circumstances...

hi navin, well said.

hi seema, wonderful that you should remember rani...i thought only rajas like me would rememer that lol.

navin, i am sure with your wisdom you will drive loneliness out of the lives of at least a few actresses around you :)

cheers, harb.

Dear Seema & Harb,
I am back. :)
Today I got broadband connection at my new place in Bombay. Will be spending more time here on Intentblog than I have been doing in the past month or more.
Seema, I let go of the flat in Rani's neighbourhood and instead got one in a much better locality than that one. There are a lot of stars here too in Shastri Nagar, Lokhandwala. ;) This place is much better connected than the one where Rani lives. In any case I'm more fond of Preity than Rani ;)

Harb, your comments are always full of wisdom. I have noticed that even you cut down on your comments ever since I got busy with my house shifting. I hope that you too will be more active now that I'm back. Khub guzaregi jab mil baithenge deewaane do. LOL. (translation: It will be great fun when two carefree persons have each other's company).
I am accumulating Hiran orgochem and Gupta synthetics. Also bought Prakash Ind. Hope you will profit too.

Am looking to add new clients in Mumbai who would like me to manage their money in the stock markets. People in the film industry have lots of idle money, but no time to manage it.

Cheers!
Navin

yes, navin, dont know why but just did not feel like commenting here for a while...aap aae bahar aee...cheers...liht is off, laptop has only a few minutes...so so long lol.

All the world's a stage and we are mere characters playing our respective roles and then passing on. However, the roles we play and the way we play them aren't always what they really are. Each and every human being adorns a mask to hide the real sorrows and happenings of one's life. If only we could live as we want to and not as we are required to.

As everyone's already said sir, nice post makes one stop and think!

Take Care!

Anubha

Nice post.
All i can say are the famous lines:
"Har kadam pe girey, magar seekha.... Kaise girton ko thaam letein hain!"

People who actually feel the pain are only the ones who can sooth others!

regards.
rohit

Dear Anupam

This is very touching (the more so because sometimes I feel like the man in your story). Thank you.

Regards, Heather

Dear Anupamji,
Lots of regards to you.We share the same roots and being a kashmiri myself, I've grown up listening to similar stories. I think being brought up in that environment and in the company of intellectuals (which most of the kashmiri's were and somehow got lost in time)has contributed a lot to our intellectual growth as such. It is that depth in our understanding that we appreciate Art, Literature, Music, and so to speak movies like 'Mera Naam Joker' to its fullest.No wonder such a wonderful piece of work was a flop cause it was not made keeping in mind common people.
I am glad you shared that story with everyone. It really touched that corner of my heart which stayed buried inside. I had this strong urge to respond to it right away.Ironically I myself feel akin to that "Joker".I can very well appreciate your thought process and that soft side in you.
I don't have to say how much I adore your work..you are just the best of the best out there and like a family to me. 'Dek bod'.Erzoo te dor ko.(like our elder would say).Hope to see your writings more often on this site.
By the way it was my first day to explore this site and yours was the first writing that I responded to.
with all my love and warm regards...
Ruby

Dear Anupam Uncle,
Thanks for sharing that story with eveybody. Like our mom (Ruby Saraf) said, you're the best of the best out there. We hope your stories will reach out to many people around the world.

From the Saraf triplets, Sneha, Kartik, and Maegha

My daughter want to particpate in your show KKKM. Her name is SIMRAN VARMA AGE 4 yera.

Pl. guide us how to go for your show

The irony in the story is the pitiful state of the doctor and not the clown in making a bad judgement about what is beneficial for his patient. The clown should have expected only medication from the doctor. He would get a better advise from a spiritual person rather than from a doctor who's opinions are subjective.

Sehr geehrter Herr Kher
Vielen Dank für diese Geschichte.
In Germany this history is also well-known.
Yours sincerely
Kash

The story is very nice.

I've managed to save up roughly $57018 in my bank account, but I'm not sure if I should buy a house or not. Do you think the market is stable or do you think that home prices will decrease by a lot?