Anupam Kher is a very passionate man. He doesn’t like to let go of any opportunities in life. Which is why he takes on a Saaraansh with as much excitement as a Kya Kool Hain Hum, although the two are as different as Rajesh Khanna is from Mukesh Khanna.And the other brings him flak for being a greedy actor.
But as he told me, when one has been jobless and seeking ways to make one’s life worthwhile for many years, the hunger to take optimum opportunities is a given.
To Anupam work is not worship , it is a war-ship…He treats every minute as a visit to the warzone optimizing his energy to top-up the frenzy of the moment. For Anupam every day is a tall large glass of lather, foamy and heady at the top, deeply invigorating at the bottom.
Anupam once told me, “There’s a whole avalanche of commitments waiting for my attention.And no, it doesn’t make me weary,just more charged-up to do more work. I believe 24 hours in a day is not enough for what I want to do. But I also believe any and every thing can be done in those 24 hours.Saying there isn’t enough time is just an excuse. You can make time for anything that you want to do,” says Anupam who has several film projects on the anvil
At some point Anupam also wants to write more motivational books.But no politics.
Which role does he enjoy the most? “I am first and foremost an actor. But I am a RESPONSIBLE actor. I don’t believe my work is over once I finish my shot. No! I have a voice and I must use it to make a difference to society. You cannot be empowered and not use that power to help those who are not empowered.
Anupam’s favourite roles? “Saaraansh , of course. 35 years ago I played the age that I am now . I am grateful to the great Sanjeev Kumar for opting out of that project.Because of him I got to do one of the most brilliantly written characters at the beginning of my career. There are many favourites.I love all the roles that I’ve played including those that got me flak. I am what I am today because of all the risks that I’ve taken.I am grateful for the mistakes that I’ve made. They’ve helped me better myself.
Formula for good living? “Stay fit,eat well, sleep enough hours…Lead a disciplined life. That doesn’t mean you have to be a saint. Do everything you want to, but in moderation.I feel more energized and enthusiastic about life at 66 than I did at 24.”
I remember when Anupam came home a couple of years ago. He was full of beans, clicking pictures with my cook maid and man-Friday,arguing me down to helpless submission, ticking off a guest for not giving us(Anupam and I)alone-time together.
Then he said he wanted to see my workplace. I took him to my room. He looked around and then without warning, lay down on the bed in the room.
“Just for a quick power nap,” he said before shutting out the world.
Sometimes, it’s good to simply stop in the middle of hectic activity and shut one’s eyes for a few minutes.
“I am no longer running after my dreams. I’ve pretty much done what I had to do. Projecting myself in the right light is no longer a priority,” says the actor-teacher-author-activist who has pretty much covered the entire gamut of life’s experience on and off screen
