Entertainment
The man, his many facets

Meet the versatile actor, teacher, author Anupam Kher. He speaks on his Hollywood entry and upcoming Hindi movie Special 26 and reveals the title of his new book
Swati Rai

Anupam Kher in a still from Special 26

In David O. Russell’s multi-award nominated Silver Linings Playbook based on the novel of the same name by Matthew Quick, Kher plays the character of Dr Cliff Patel, a psychiatrist. A jubilant Kher says, "I didn’t go for the Golden Globe but I am sure to attend the Screen Actors’ Guild Awards where I have been nominated. I will also attend the Academy Awards in LA too."

Expressing his views on the stereotypical characterisation of Indian actors in Hollywood, Kher says, "I think it is changing now. I feel a lot depends on the actor too. I, for one, would never play a character that would mock my Indian identity in accent or appearance."

No wonder, then, Kher chose to act in the movie after having turned down many Hollywood offers. Kher is now all set to dawn a tuxedo as many a designer is making a beeline to dress him up for his big night at the SAG and the Academy Awards night.

On the home front, Kher is excited about the February 8 release of Special 26. Directed by Neeraj Pandey, the film is based on a real-life daring heist in the 1980s.

"It is a charming cat-and-mouse chase kind of a film and its USP is the coming together of Neeraj, who directed me in A Wednesday and its ensemble cast," says Kher.

Talking about what attracts this powerhouse performer to a role, Kher says, "I look out for the clarity of the director’s vision and his arrogance (in a good way) that stems out of the confidence of a clear perspective on filmmaking."

To tweet or not to tweet?

"I see Twitter as a tool for change especially in the hand of the youth. Yes, it is also a platform for self-promotion but to say that it is entirely that would be a fallacy. Twitter is informative and also helps in keeping an ear to the ground. Through Twitter, I have come to realise how aware and sensitised the Indian youth is. They also have a great sense of humour and I can safely say that this youth, which is the truly "free" generation of our times, is a force to reckon with. So Twitter keeps me connected with all and a great synergy is created out of the same." So tweet on!

On the write path

As Kher’s maiden writing effort, the bestseller self-help book, The Best Thing about You is You goes for its 11th reprint, we ask him on what next? "The genesis of my first book was my autobiographical play Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai after which I went to all the A-list universities for motivational lectures, which subsequently led to the book. Sometimes, by zeroing down on a title of the book I can collect my thoughts better. The title of my next book is going to be Lessons My Father Taught Me Unknowingly!" There you have it, from the horse’s mouth, what to look out for on the bookstands soon! Here’s hoping that once out, Kher’s book will create a literary stir!

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