Veteran Bollywood actor Anupam Kher discussed the theme “giving up is not a choice,” his breakthrough performance in “Saaransh,” and his friendship with Hollywood star Robert De Niro during a masterclass at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
Kher was just 28 when he portrayed a 65-year-old man in Mahesh Bhatt’s “Saaransh” in 1984. He later ventured into Hollywood with films like “Silver Linings Playbook” (2012) and the series “New Amsterdam.” Over his illustrious career, he has acted in “almost all Indian languages,” as reported by variety.com.
A long-time admirer of Robert De Niro, Kher wrote papers on “Mean Streets” and “Taxi Driver” during his academic years. Decades later, while pursuing an international career, he landed a role in David O. Russell’s “Silver Linings Playbook,” a project that De Niro was associated with.
Initially, De Niro expressed reservations about Anupam’s character in a crucial scene after reviewing the script. Kher shared how he took the bold step to voice his perspective on the scene, risking both his role and the chance to act alongside his idol. That evening, while offering De Niro a drink in his van, Kher received praise for his performance, as mentioned in variety.com.
“Because I was truthful and not worried about being unpopular with the unit,” Anupam said, “today I can claim that Mr. Robert De Niro is one of my best friends.”
During the session, Kher recounted numerous moments in his life when giving up was simply not an option.
“What happens in your life goes on to become the story of your life. Why should life be easy? Why should life be simple? Why should life not have problems? Because it’s your problems that will make your biopic a superstar biopic,” he reflected, contemplating his journey from a small town to performing alongside legends across the globe.
“Failure is an event,” he emphasized, “not a person, and the film of your life deserves a blockbuster ending.”