Anupam Kher has graced the silver screen with memorable performances for over four decades. From his heartwarming role as a father in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge to his gripping portrayal in ‘A Wednesday!’ as a man seeking justice, the veteran actor’s career is studded with hits. He recently completed 40 years in showbiz and took to social media to pen a note. In an exclusive interview with News18 Showsha, he shared his thoughts on content-driven films taking the spotlight and talked about how people who don’t deserve it are getting recognition in showbiz.
Talking about films like Lapaata Ladies and Chamkila, he said, “Content is very important nowadays. It always was, but now the audience is different. Look at what happened at Cannes – we have two unknown people getting the highest honours. It’s phenomenal. A Delhi girl walked on the red carpet stitching her own dress. The world is open to creativity – it always was, but now India is open to creativity. What doesn’t touch heart doesn’t make an impact. You cannot dwarf the audience by making them feel smaller. They’re open to malls, they’re open to modern India, and big cinema – they are used to everything. You can’t now say, ‘Dekho hum apko Switzerland leke jaa rahe hai.’ Unke liye koi bahut badi baat nahi hai. Par content agar Achha huya toh choti film bhi chalegi aur badi bhi. I think, it’s the end of fakeness.”
The veteran actor also opened up about how he feels seeing undeserving artists getting dues in Bollywood. He said that at the end of the day, it will be difficult for them to sustain. “I believe something my grandfather used to say: that if you work hard, you’re honest, and you’re optimistic, you will achieve what you want to. Gita mein bhi likha hai, ‘Karm kiye jaa phal kii ichha mat kar’. For the longest time, I didn’t like this idea. I thought, ‘Aisa Kaise Ho Sakta Hai’. Par phal milta hai. Less deserving logon ko agar milta hai to wo unki khaasiyat hai (But results come. If less deserving people get them, it must be because of their special qualities). Par woh kitne saal tak milta hai? (But how long will they get the results?) I’ve survived for 43 years because I am a drama student and I worked very hard. So many less deserving people in these 43 years have come and gone. Do you remember who was trending on X, Instagram, or otherwise? I’m sure you don’t remember. Do you remember how many films made 200 crores last year? I think not. But you will remember a film that touched your heart. Less deserving things happen only for a flash of time. Par kab tak viral rahega?” he said.
The actor will soon be seen in Chhota Bheem and the Curse of Damyaan in a pivotal role.
