Kirron is a very fine actor: Anupam
There are actors who are good at playing only certain characters, and then there are kalakaars like Anupam Kher who can essay any role effortlessly. More than two decades ago, I was deeply moved by his performances in Saaransh and Daddy, and ever since I have been a huge fan.
I was over the moon when I met him recently, as I was obviously curious to learn about his journey
as an actor.
Anupam said, "I was a beggar when I entered the industry. I was hungry for work. It wasn't easy, but why should it have been easy? That apart, I always wanted to be the best. I guess it is my small town mentality.
I don't consider myself a character actor. I feel all the characters I have portrayed so far have been the heroes of the films. This concept exists only in India."
From his experience, he understood that there was a need for formal training in acting today. "Abroad, you cannot even do a two-minute role if you are not a trained actor. You have to learn your craft well, or else it's like going to a quack for medicines.
What sets actors like Om Puri, Seema Biwas, Naseeruddin Shah apart is that they have been trained in their métier and it shows," explained the National School of Drama graduate.
For the same reason, he enjoys working with new age directors such as Dibakar Banerjee, Neeraj Pandey and Ayan Mukherjee. "Their cockiness sets them apart from the old school directors. They know what they're talking about.
They are in this business because they want to be in it and not just to do their job. We are entering the best period of Indian cinema and only professionals like them will survive," he mentioned. When I asked him what he looks for while selecting a script, an amused Anupam replied, "What scripts? I have started receiving scripts only in the last four years.
Until then, directors always narrated stories and explained what my character has to do in the film." But working with Hollywood maverick Woody Allen must have been quite an experience, I thought. "It was fantastic.
When I told him that I have acted in over 400 films, he asked me how many lives it took me to do them?" said the 56-year-old actor.
With so many films in his kitty, is there any he wishes he hadn't taken up? " Life is 80 per cent monotony and 20 per cent excitement.
My father was a forest department clerk for 35 years. No one can have a more monotonous job than his, but he had to look after us.
There are so many films I've done where even you must have wondered why I chose them. However, I did those films for several reasons," he said.
Does he advise what films his son Sikander Kher must take up? "I let him do whatever he likes. I advise him on a few things. But more than the child turning to the parent, I think it's the parent's job to understand what their child is going through.
I was brought up in a joint family, I was full of questions, and I had so many people to answer them. When I was hosting Say Na Something to Anupam Uncle, I realised that, people don't have the time to attend to their children," he remarked.
Apart from acting in films and his autobiographical play Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai, he is also working on a new drama Mera Woh Matlab Nahi Tha, written by Rakesh Bedi, where he will act with his wife Kirron Kher.
"A few years ago, I had worked with her in a play Saalgirah. She is a very fine actor. I am looking forward to it, but it's not easy working with her because points of view clash, and sometimes we take the argument home," said Anupam.
Since I am a short filmmaker, I asked for advice. "The journey is always more important than the destination. I never want to be in that space where I'll be called a legend or a veteran. If that happens, it means people want me to retire.
The key is to continue with your hard work and perception. Kaam se kaam milta hai. There is a lot of competition... If I don't deliver good work, people like you would not want to meet me," he smiled.
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