‘I AM ONE OF THE PIONEERS BREAKING IN OF THIS MYTH TYPECASTING’
Iwould 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 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.
(Late) Rishi Kapoor also
said that he got best roles only in his second innings. Are you also hoping for something of that sort?
Rishiji 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 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 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.