Anupam Kher is a firm believer in coincidences. His recently released autobiography—Lessons Life Taught Me, Unknowingly—was developed from an autobiographical, one-man play the actor had called Kucch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai, some six years ago. Yet, he sounds a little taken aback when his attention is drawn to yet another piece of happenstance.
Kher’s first film, Saaransh, was released in May 1984. He was 28 when he played a 65-year-old retired school teacher who has to come to terms with the death of his son. For the role, which got him his first award (Filmfare for best actor), Kher channelled his beloved grandfather Pandit Amar Nath Kher. “In fact, I internally dedicated Saaransh to him. Before every shot, I would say to myself: ‘This is for you, Babuji,’” Kher writes. Amar Nath Kher died in September 1984 at the age of 84. “I never thought about this coincidence,” says Kher, over the phone from New York.
This story is from the September 22, 2019 edition of THE WEEK.
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This story is from the September 22, 2019 edition of THE WEEK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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