People
INDIAN actor Anupam Kher was in the city recently to shoot for the international television series The Indian Detective.
His character is the father of the titular detective, played by Canadian comedian Russell Peters.
I caught up with Kher, a veteran of more than 400 films and a great supporter of gender equality and children’s education, on his last day of filming where he provided an exclusive interview.
While he is known for a multitude of Indian/Bollywood films in a variety of roles, Kher has also appeared in many acclaimed international productions.
He was seen to great effect in the 2002 Golden Globe-nominated Bend It Like Beckham, Ang Lee’s 2007 Golden Lion winner Lust, Caution and the Oscar-winning Silver Linings Playbook directed by David O Russell in 2013.
He has won every major award in India for his film work. He is chairman of Actor Prepares, an acting school he started, and the government of India has honoured his career by awarding him the Padma Shri in 2004 and the Padma Bushan in 2016 for his contribution in the field of cinema and the arts.
Kher was keen to discuss his humanitarian efforts and desire to do philanthropic work, creating awareness around gender equality in India as well as globally, and raising the standard and accessibility of children’s education. He seemed pleased that, while I noted his contribution to cinema as an award-winning actor, the discussion would revolve around his passion of contributing to society.
He said: “Sometimes as an actor you discover that there’s a lot more to life than cinema and acting. It’s quite wonderful to discover that part of yourself.”
During his stay in the city he visited Nazareth House, a nonprofit organisation that provides a stable environment for abandoned, disabled and orphaned children, as well as caring for the needy elderly in society.
Kher said: “I make it a rule, whenever I travel, to always visit an orphanage and/or a home for the elderly. I go to spend time with the children and boost the morale of the caregivers who do this amazing work.
“It is my ultimate aim to build an orphanage in India. It’s important to give back to society.”
Kher reminisces about life growing up as the son of a clerk, and parents who were poor. He says the Almighty has been kind to him and life has given him so much it’s time to give back.
Asked if there is a particular social project that he focuses on, he was quick to reply that goodness has no specific agenda.