Anupam Kher is a veteran and who can deny that? The actor, known for a variety of movies — from ‘Saaransh’ to ‘Special 26’, ‘Baby’, ‘A Wednesday!’, ‘The Kashmir Files’ among many others, continues to inspire many. Be it his fitness or dedication towards his work, Kher shows the younger generation how it’s done. But despite doing 550 films so far, he’s not complacent. He’s returning to theatre with a play called ‘Jaane Pehchaane Anjaane’, which also stars Swaroop Sampat. The thing about talking to or meeting Kher is that you always take something back with you — whether it’s his wisdom, positivity, or the way he conducts himself.In an exclusive chat with ETimes, when asked how he has managed to retain a childlike excitement despite spending so many years in the industry, he said, “I keep testing my possibilities and that’s possible when you have the fear of failure.”He further elaborated, “90 percent people don’t try. There’s a famous line by Osho, where he says if you try you risk failure, and if you don’t you ensure it. I also don’t take myself seriously. I don’t carry the burden of Anupam Kher on my shoulders. I’m proud of the films I’ve done, but aaj kya kar raha hu woh zaruri hai. I also feel that competence is the biggest enemy of brilliance. If today I have the possibility of being competent, I will not try to be brilliant because mujhe lagega ke yeh line toh main bol hi lunga, yeh toh main kar hi lunga. So, I try to make things difficult for me and nothing like a play because usmein toh sab kuch difficult hai because live audience hai, log hasenge ya nai. On top of it, I decided to do a musical this time and Anu Malik ji was kind enough to record some songs for us, which are sung by Shaan. I’ve sung a title song. So, everything that you do shouldn’t be what I’ve done already hai.”The actor added that he always tries to bring something unique to everything he does. “So, the last three plays which I’ve done — the one with Kirron Kher called ‘Salgirah’, and my solo play — were unique things to do. My autobiography on stage, no living actor has done it till today. Then I did a play with Rakesh Bedi, written by him, called ‘Mera Woh Matlab Nahi Tha’, with Neena Gupta and me. But unfortunately, Neena decided not to do more shows. So, I was having this major urge to do a play. Then I saw this Marathi play directed by Gajendra Ahire. It’s a beautiful play about the relationships of today’s three generations — the generation which is retired, the middle-aged, and the new generation. Everyone will identify with it because it talks about their issues and it’s done in a very theatrical manner. I’m the narrator as well as the character. For the first time, I’m doing a play which has 12 characters. It’s so difficult to do it in today’s times and get 12 committed actors who will adjust according to your dates. I’m the only person who has been working quite a bit, but I’m so happy Swaroop ji decided to join us and we are a very good team.”How has he never gotten complacent though? He responded, “You think that I’m at this age. But in my heart, I’m still a 20-year-old. Main iss baat ka ehsaas hi nai rakhta hu that maine 550 films.”With that, he opened up on the most challenging part and said, “Learning lines is the first challenge because you are on stage. When you’re a newcomer, you don’t have to worry about my reputation. But now that I’m known, so I have to live up to the repertoire of work I’ve done. But I don’t mind failing. It’s all right. But at least, I’ll have the luxury of trying. Ismein bohot saari entries exits hai but that’s the joy, there’s no retake. So, it sort of takes away the rust, dust on an actor. It keeps me agile, it keeps me away from Alzheimer’s. You are sharp na. Because warna toh log 60-65 saal pe retire hone ki sochte hai. I would love to do this play when I’m 90.”He further said that as humans, we shouldn’t limit ourselves or our possibilities. “The point is, we are limitless but we limit ourselves. We accept what society has said. Gharwale bhi bolte hai, society bolti hai, kitna kaam karoge. Arre possibility hai life ki, why not?”On the movie front, Kher recently directed ‘Tanvi The Great’, which has already won a lot of critical acclaim.
