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Anupam Kher has starred in several cult classics, including playing the role of Raghuvir Pathak in the 1994 film 1942: A Love Story. The actor was recently present at the International film festival of India, Goa, for the screening of his four films – the restored version of 1942 – A Love Story, Tanvi: The Great, The Bengal Files, and International film Calorie. He also took a masterclass titled ‘Giving up is NOT a choice’.
Anupam sat down for a conversation with SCREEN to talk about shooting the Vidhu Vinod Chopra directorial during sickness, doing several films at one time, and the 8-hour work shift debate.
During the candid chat, he recalled shooting for 1942 Love Story and shared, “I was not well, I had typhoid when I reached Dharamshala. I told Mr. Chopra, so he said, ‘Koi baat nahi, shooting karenge theek hojaayenge, no chutti (It’s fine, you will be fine while shooting, no holiday)’. I still remember that. Otherwise, it was a joy working with him. He is a really great director.”
Anupam further added that he might have fallen sick because he used to shoot for several films simultaneously. “I was doing 5-7 films at the same time, even more than that. There was a time when I was doing 23 films at the same time. I don’t want to sound politically correct, because when you say you are politically correct, you aren’t correct. I love my work and I love working. I wanted to become an actor all my life and God has put me in a position when I am one,” he reflected.
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When asked to elaborate on Deepika Padukone’s ongoing 8-hour work shift debate, the actor replied, “Even if a director says there’s a 12-hour shift, even if I have 2 scenes in the film, I will be committed for those twelve hours to that person. I can’t be contradictory and tell another director that the hours should be this much. I don’t think that luxury is available to camera man, light boys, workers or lesser popular actors. It’s not a luxury, it’s a job.”
He continued, “Women and men in worse conditions work in banks and corporates. This luxury is only available to people who can dictate terms. I am a worker and stardom is a by product of that working in films. I have been on the streets of Mumbai looking for work so I promised myself that I would never complain about the hours of work.”
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Anupam Kher was then questioned if the younger generation is lazy and less disciplined as compared to veteran artists. “Today’s generation is also very hardworking. They are very disciplined and aware of their physical look and everything. They have to be good in each and every project. Everybody is ready to write them off. The faster they under that only work will speak, they should keep working till then,” he said.
Citing the example of Shah Rukh Khan’s stardom, he added, “Gone are those days when you could be a superstar for 40-50 years. Now you have to be world superstar, as Shah Rukh Khan very correctly said, ‘I am the last superstar’. Maybe he was predicting the future, maybe he was right. Not because today’s generation doesn’t deserve, but because the audience has millions of sources of entertainment.”
Anupam Kher last featured in Anurag Basu’s Metro..In Dino and Tanvi The Great, alongside Shubhangi Dutt. The actor has also joined Prabhas and Hanu Raghavapudi’s upcoming untitled film, announcing it as his 544th project.
