Actor Anupam Kher is a unique actor of his kind. He is a person who understands the flow of time. It has been 40 years since the release of his first film ‘Saaransh’. And, even now he is busy in doing something new. In the film ‘Chhota Bheem and the Curse of Damyaan’, he will be seen in the role of Chhota Bheem’s Guru Shambhu. He has also given the idea of its sequel to the film’s director Rajiv Chilaka. For the video interview program ‘Shukla Paksha’, ‘Amar Ujala’s consulting editor Pankaj Shukla had a special meeting with Anupam Kher, Yagya Bhasin and director Rajiv Chilaka. You can watch the interview on Sunday morning at 9 am on Amar Ujala’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. Presented here are the questions and answers asked to Anupam Kher during this interview.
Anupam ji, your first film What is the secret behind the enthusiasm and energy that is visible in you since the release of ‘Saaransh’ till now?
I consider myself very lucky. Every day hundreds of people come to Mumbai to work in the entertainment industry and only 0.0001 percent get work. I have been working for the last 40 years because of God’s grace. That’s why I always thank God. I have no other reason to be sad. I am constantly getting work in what I wanted to do since childhood. And, from walking on the streets, I now have a car and a place to live. I am also getting a chance to work with an emerging artist like Yagya Bhasin (Chhota Bheem from the film ‘Chhota Bheem and the Curse of Damyaan’). People make complaining their habit. I have made being happy my hobby.
You have worked in many foreign films and for the first time in India a live action film based on a character from an animation series is being released…
…and, it is being made at international level. I feel very proud that in our country there is a producer, director Rajiv Chilaka, who has made an international level film. He has made such an effort in VFX, animation that it can be at the level of any cinema in the world. When someone takes India forward in this way, I feel very proud. After this film, many such films will be made. You will not believe that 50 percent of the VFX and animation of all the foreign films is done in India. And, it is a matter of regret that such a good film with VFX is not made in India itself. I got a chance to work in this film. I got a chance to work with young people, this also made me feel alive.
I watch your videos with your mother, they have a very good message. Do you think social media should be used to promote such positivity?
I have been thanking my mother since I was born #mothersday I am celebrating! Nowadays there is a day for everything so happy #MothersDay to you all. If you want to be happy in life then keep your mother happy throughout your life! Jai Mata Ki! ❤️❤️ #rajandbittu’smommy #DulariRocks pic.twitter.com/sjIMFOEhrL
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) May 12, 2024
How careful are you while accepting characters that influence society?
There are some characters that influence the world, leave a new impression on people. 90% of our life is monotonous, the remaining 10% of life is adventure. Being a part of the film ‘Chhota Bheem and the Curse of Damyaan’ is important. This picture needed me because I have worked so much. Casting for Damyaan is very difficult. Many people auditioned but when my photo appears on the poster, it becomes clear that this is Anupam Kher, he has done 400-500 films before this. For example, for the role of Superman’s father, they tried very hard to find someone to cast, so finally it was decided that Marlon Brando would have to be cast for the role of Superman’s father. Marlon Brando had asked for this much money for three days of work…, (laughing again) I did not do that.