AM ONE ‘I OF THE PIONEERS
Says that Anupam Kher have to now he doesn’t with a approach things himself sense of proving I BREAKING OF
PActor 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 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:
IN
THIS MYTH TYPECASTING’
because that is where you find said that he got best roles your horizons. Only in a Millions of people come to this only in his second innings. situation of difficulty, you discover city to try their luck and I’m Are you also hoping for what you’re made of and among those very few who’ve something of that sort? that gives you a great feeling of done something. I’m not the Rishiji felt that way because self-belief. And I don’t believe most talented person but I’m for a long time, he did one kind in regrets because they only not dissatisfied with life. I’m of films, and he was very good give you further heartaches. thankful to all those producers, at that. But, I was 28 when I There are so many things to be directors, technicians, junior played a 65-year-old man. I happy about. artists, and public who have have approached life from an loved me. I’m also thankful to actor’s point of view; I didn’t You have finished shooting my attitude towards life which have good looks like him for Kashmir Files, a film is of kuch na kuch toh hoga hi. (laughs). Also, today’s audience based on the exodus of is ready to accept people for Kashmiri Pandits. Was it a their performance not necessarily tough one to shoot? how they look. I broke that What was pent up for 30 stereotype. For many years, years, the catharsis happened there was this whole concept during the shoot. But I’ve not in the industry that you should given a single shot in Kashmir have hair on your head, look a Files which wasn’t felt. There certain way and get a shoot by were so many breakdowns a certain photographer. That’s during the sequences. I’m it. But acting aani chahiye ya glad that (director) Vivek nahin? I feel very happy to say Agnihotri decided to put a film that I’m one of the pioneers of together which is truthful to breaking this myth of what exactly happened. We’re typecasting. not putting in interpretations.
Let people decide that. Before Would you say the journey every shot, I thought of the millions was smooth? Or were there of people who suffered any regrets? because of that exodus. So it’s
I believe in the journey being my tribute to their tragedy difficult. When I look back, and I’ve tried my level I’m happy that it had its best to be as honest with ups and downs, and my emotions and roadblocks, sincerity.
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.
is only Work better to get going I feel now as as comfortable actor. an KHER, ANUPAM
Her tryst with the web medium began back in 2017, when the digital wave was in its nascent stage. And Sarah Jane Dias is happy that she took the plunge way before many others. The actor, whose maiden web project was Inside Edge, says, “I am all for the avantgarde. I like to try new things. I am never afraid to go where no one dares to go. And thus, being a part of a web project was a no-brainer for me.”
Further lauding OTT platforms, Dias, who has been a part of web shows such as Time Out and Tandav, says that it is a great opportunity for actors. “The OTTs have taken the game to the next level with their content. I am incredibly proud to be a part of it way back. It was not even like a choice. It was a natural step. I feel very privileged to be in this position,” she adds.
Slamming those who had the perception that actors who were not getting work in films were heading the OTT way, Dias, 38, says, “I think the people who said that are the naysayers... Anybody who has slightly forward thinking would know that OTT is the future. People who said otherwise have been looking at it from a very pessimistic point of view. Doing web projects was a choice [for me], not because of lack of film roles.” The actor remarks that such opinions were common even when actors took up projects on the small screen. “Earlier, when people started doing TV, there were some who were like, ‘Usko film mein kaam nahi mil raha, iss liye TV kar raha hai’... It’s a very limited way of thinking,” she concludes.