Anupam Kher started his acting career in 1984 with the movie 'Saaransh'. So far he has acted in more than 500 films. Recently, Anupam talked about his retirement from films. He said he has no desire to retire now. He doesn't want people to put him in any particular age or category.
In fact, Anupam Kher's film 'Vijay 69' will release on OTT on November 8. Talking about the film, he said that the film is the story of a courageous ex-swimming coach, who at the age of 69 takes up the challenge of breaking a triathlon record.
Anupam Kher said, 'When people assume this is retirement age and give you tags like 'veteran', 'legend'. They also give you a lifetime achievement award, so they think you can retire comfortably now. But I am always against it, because who decides what I should do with my life?
Anupam said, 'I dreamed of acting in films since childhood and I never wanted to give it up. At 28 I had nothing to lose, as my hair was falling out too! This was more important to me than the fact that I was a gold medalist in drama school. Whenever I went to an office, they would say, 'What am I going to do with the gold medal, you don't even have hair.' Be a writer or assistant director. But I knew I just needed one chance, and I was going to prove it. I got that opportunity from the film 'Saaransh'.
Anupam Kher further said, 'When I came into films in 1984, people were surprised that I was 28 and playing a 65-year-old. But I knew if I did it right I could get work for the next 40 years. You need confidence to break the norms of hero and heroine. You should not be afraid of failure, because fear itself makes you average.
According to Anupam Kher, Mumbai is a place where everyone has an opportunity. You just have to be prepared. Many rejections have also been received. In 1983, he had no money to pay the rent. His family lived in one room. The landlord kept his belongings outside. He had to pay the rent by evening. When he approached a producer, the actor did what he was told. But even after giving the signing amount, he suddenly withdrew it, which was very humiliating for him.
Anupam further says that I remember once I couldn't find any place to stay, so I slept on a newspaper spread on the beach. But over time, those hardships and humiliations become your biggest stories. I always told myself, now there is a little more time, be patient.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
