In the glitzy and glamorous world of films where most actors embrace the comfort of being called “Veterans”, Anupam Kher has a different perception. At the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), he shattered this stereotype. In the session, Anupam Kher delivered a session called “Giving Up Is Not a Choice, where he shared anecdotes of his journey, challenges, struggles and the resilience that shaped him.
Speaking of his journey, he revealed how he faced heartbreak in his very first film, Saaransh. He revealed he was replaced even before the camera rolled. He said, “I had prepped for months, and asked Mahesh Bhatt ji ‘Why did you cast me?’ He replied ‘Bald hai na!’” But the shock came later: “I was told I have been replaced by Sanjeev Kumar. I got so angry… maine Mahesh Bhatt ko jaakar bola ‘aap duniya ke number one fraud ho. Main Brahmin hoon, main aapko shraap deta hoon!’”
Humiliated, he packed his luggage and stormed out, ready to leave Mumbai. But as he reached the taxi, he heard Bhatt shouting: “Vaapis aaja.”
Kher stayed because, as he said, “giving up was not a choice for me.”
Kher also shared that he is signing his 550th film this December. And yet, he refuses the label of “veteran.”
“I have told all media to never address me as a veteran or thespian… That would mean ‘your career is over.’ Why should anyone else decide when I should retire? This is why I will not accept any lifetime achievement award for the next 20 years.”
Recalling Silver Linings Playbook (2012), Kher described his first day trying to meet De Niro.
“Bob doesn’t meet anyone before the shot, par main Hindustani tha, peeche padh gaya.”
But the real shock came during a scene. De Niro shouted to the director David O. Russell: “This guy has been the cause of my son getting drunk… I will throw this character out of the house.” He then threw Kher out of the room, locked the door, and left him outside in the cold for 45 minutes.
Later, Kher confronted the team: “There are eight characters in this scene; you didn’t ask for their interpretation.” De Niro later agreed with him, invited him to his van, and a friendship was born. Kher ended with a smile: “Today I feel proud that I can call Mr Robert de Niro one of my friends… giving up was not a choice.”
For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest Entertainment News on India.com.
