Saaransh made me who I am, says Anupam

Actor Anupam Kher marked his Bollywood debut 36 years ago, and since then, there’s been no looking back. In his illustrious career featuring a variety of roles, Kher feels his debut film Saaransh (1984) helped him reach greater heights and establish himself. “Whatever I am today is because of Saaransh,” he admits, adding, “My character in the film, BV Pradhan, was an honest and fearless person wanting to do something in life. I was 28 back then. Not only did it prove my mettle as an actor, but it also made people silently applaud me for my courage to play a 65-year-old man convincingly.”

The biggest takeaway from his journey, Kher reveals, is to never give up. “I have learnt to enjoy every moment. I have learnt to not take myself seriously, because I’m not here to change the world. You can feel down and out, but it is important to have hope. If you give up on hope, it’s over for you,” he asserts.

Amid the coronavirus scare, Kher, 65, feels it will be a while before showbiz gets back on its feet. “The entertainment world wasn’t prepared for this. There have been emotional and financial losses. I’m an eternal optimist, so I believe things will be fine soon. Outdoor shoots will be easier than shooting in studios. Necessity is the mother of invention. I’m sure we will invent a way to go about it,” he adds. Having said that, the actor feels we have to learn to live with Covid-19. “It is important to realise that we’re a tiny speck in front of nature. We’ve spent enough time reflecting on how the pandemic has affected our lives. Hopefully, people will be careful to not let it spread further,” he signs off.

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Anupam Kher; (inset) in a still from the film