A weekend with Anupam Kher

A weekend with Anupam Kher

This weekend could not have been better for people in Gurgaon as they had an amazing beginning with Anupam Kher’s Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai. Ireo organised Gurgoan Centrestage- the all season theatre carnival, wherein the audience had the opportunity to not only witness Anupam Kher’s epic play ‘Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai’ but also to learn from his experience and get inspired during an interactive chat with him.

Gurgoan’s weekend was inspirational with Anupam Kher

As the conversation started, Anupam Kher said that he is a people’s man and believes that the easiest and difficult thing that he chose was to be who he is. He further said that acting is just like any other profession but just because they are in eyes of people some of them start thinking like a star. However, his dream was not to be a star but to be known and through hard work he achieved his dream.

When asked about his favourite role Anupam Kher said that he would respond to it after 35 years when he would think he has done every impressionable role he aspired to do. “I am one of those lucky actors who can name 10-20 good movies out of 491 movies that I have done so far.”

Anupam Kher sharing his life’s experiences with the audience

He further said, “I get along with everybody but loved working with Yash Chopra because he treats you like family. And I don’t like being treated as a legend, I love being at par with everyone. I like people till the time they don’t get into the star frame of mind.”

“I was so thin that I could see through the key hole with both eyes.”

Audience had the live acting lessons from Anupam Kher

With the audience, this gold medallist student of National School of Drama shared some of his ups and downs that he faced before becoming famous right away with his first role. Anupam Kher was just 28years old when he was offered the role of retired man in Saransh but instead of being shocked he took up the challenge and thanked god that at least he got a job. He says, “I was lucky to have that role. And also, it is this movie’s success that has stood me here. I think life is about choices we make and to be different you have to do things differently and take up risks.”

During the conversation, he also expressed that how important theatre is to have confidence for any role that you might get. And while talking about theatre, he shared his most embarrassing and hilarious experiences making the entire auditorium laugh and also said that the only difference between theatre and acting on screen is the retakes as theatre gives you no second chance. “When I feel my actor is going down the drain or falling apart, I do theatre. And I believe anyone who can lie is an actor.”

Audience interacted with Anupam Kher

“A bad actor is bad, even on screen or in the theatre.”
“It’s always the bad performances that stay with you.”

Talking about theatre in corporate sector, Anupam Kher said, “Corporate people need to unlearn a lot of things to learn theatre. They are caught up in a mould that the society has made for them. So, theatre training helps such people to loosen up.”

“A person should be ready to make a fool of himself or herself.”

“If you leave your happiness in someone else’s hand, they will make sure to keep you unhappy.”

Talking about why Bollywood do not change much for a character, Mr. Kher said, “Well, I am trying since long to get my hair back for a role (laughing). We have made it pretty easy for ourselves I think. In Hollywood, an actor is preparing only for one character and one movie in a year unlike us and is paid in millions for it. However, because of having multiple assignments in same year we are unable to make huge changes to our looks. But yes there are actors who are taking up this challenge as well but in Bollywood it is not that easy.”

One of the audience member asked him that when he would be seen acting next to Kirron Kher and his reply was, “We have never got the chance to do a movie together however long time back we did a theatre together. But if we get a role, we should be given role which has equal substance.”

During an exclusive conversation with us, Anupam Kher shared his view on social media and also unveiled his secret of having beautiful skin, “I grew up in mountains and am born kashmiri so there is nothing my contribution in the kind of skin I have. The way I have contributed to this is by being happy. And I believe that if you choose and decide to be happy, it shows on your skin no matter what colour it is. I think we are too much worried in life about petty issues and if we don’t carry a burden of who we are things would be much easier.”

“As far as social media is concerned, I love being a part of it. It is a great way of learning about people and getting information and also, great for forming and expressing your opinion. I am quite vocal about my opinion and try to spread an element of optimism on twitter. I think anything constructive is good however there are also destructive people whom I ignore.”

“I love the role of teacher in real life because you get to learn too in the process. I love to make people happy and I would love to take up any role to do that.”

“Life is in itself a source of inspiration. Read books, talk to friends, don’t be around pessimist and be determined about your goal.”

The event ended with Anupam Kher teaching the entire auditorium the basics of being an actor and he says that an actor is no different then you and me. And sometimes all you have to do is to be normal. He left all of the members in the audience with a Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai moment indeed.