After garnering attention for his political statements, Anupam Kher is once again making news for his acting assignments. Be it his Hollywood projects like The Big Sick and A Family Man or his choices in Hindi films, Kher is increasingly getting choosy. On the cards is Love Sonia, which deals with human-trafficking and Naam Shabana where he is once again playing a techie after Baby .
On the changing content in cinema
Once upon a time there used to be only cinema as a means of entertainment and also only one channel which all of us used to watch together but the scenario has changed. People now have more avenues for entertainment and that is why films have to be diverse. With industry status and corporate interest, the production process has changed as well. I have worked in parallel cinema, some of which became masterpieces and now I am happy to be the part of smaller films that filmmakers like Dibakar Banerjee make, which have similar intent – giving voice to the stories which are realistic in nature and respecting audience’s intellect. I also appreciate the kind of cinema Neeraj Pandey makes as he has given a new dimension to the industry through his realistic films. They have had ingredients of independent filmmaking but gradually his work has gained wider acceptance and now he is catering to mainstream audience.
On the kind of roles being written for supporting actors
I see my survival in the industry as my biggest achievement as people come and go and it proves that people appreciate my work which is a blessing. I depend on my directors to give me roles and I am glad they are writing good ones for me. People remember you only through your good work and that is why I do not take myself seriously and do not think of becoming a legend or something. Creating a character is like living life and I am in love with my life which is reflected through my work. Though I am doing less number of films these days, it does not mean that I am not loving my roles as there are ups and downs in the level of work.
On working in Hollywood
Working in many international projects simultaneously is a big feat to attain for an actor from India. The level of professionalism which is present today in the Bollywood industry is quite similar to what they have in Hollywood be it the public relations or the pre-production. But in Hollywood, there is too much focus on the paperwork and deadlines which make them more organised than us. Also, the representation of Indians in their films has changed massively as India is no longer a country of snake charmers in their view. There is also an economic reason behind it as India is also a big market for their films. Priyanka Chopra is a brand ambassador of Indian cinema in Hollywood and her success will pave way for many new actors there.
On popularity of films based on national security and his stand on political issues
People were not used to seeing an actor to be vocal on national issues earlier but I, as a responsible citizen, take a stand which I consider important for the country which people usually confuse as my political thoughts. I am vocal about my views on national issues, not political thoughts.
I accept that there is a reflection of political events in our films where the whole narratives is based on national security and they are not similar to patriotic films which filmmakers like V. Shantaram, Manoj Kumar or Subhash Ghai used to make. Patriotic films these days have more details and unravel a whole new world which is not known to the audience and that gives the film a realistic angle which earlier used to be missing in our films.
