The Coolest Anupam Kher Interview Ever?

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Look at this, bro! While crossing the limits of being a celebrity and being rich, today, in our office in South Delhi, we have the undoubted legend of Indian cinema. This is, of course, unfiltered by Samdish,

FT.

Anupam Kher.

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My dearest sir. How are you, my love?

I'm great. How are you? Great. Happy Independence Day to you.

Happy Independence Day to you.

Fantastic.

You look amazing.

Here, we go here.

Slimmer and thin.

Trying to. Trying to take my career more seriously.

Don't do that.

No.

It's going so well non-seriously. Yes, it's good. No, no, I'm just trying to take my life slightly more seriously.

No, no, you're focused now.

Yeah, that's the correct word.

On the right, sir.

On the right and this right. Okay.

You want to change first? I'm thinking whether I should change or not. It's up to you. The colour will come. Come. The girl who is different from everyone.

The girl who is different from everyone.

Will you give me 2 minutes?

Yes, yes, of course. You can take all the time. You sit there.

What are you thinking?

I am thinking I am watching TV. I will keep on probing you.

I have seen your style. Absolutely your style is amazing.

I had thought of a joke. If I may. When you come I will ask where are your hair?

Hair is saved.

You didn't ask this question.

Anyway, let's talk about something else.

Now you are not okay. Why did you choose me? How do you choose your guest? That's a good question. What should I call you first? Anupam. Are you sure?

100%. What should I call you?

Whatever you want.

I am talking to the kids as well. So I am your kid? I remember now why Suroravansham runs. People think it runs because of Amit Ji. But I remember that kurta scene. And the way you go in the bus and do this.

That film didn't run. But it has run so much on TV that people think it's a blockbuster. And it has run because of you or not? Because of me and Mr. Kadar Khan Correct I miss him sometimes

How are you existing in the Shahrukh Khan universe and in the Govinda universe? I'm a great actor I think both of them were existing in your universe I'm adaptable Versatile I like people

I used to make all of this. No scene of my comedy was written in the script. All the films of David Dhawan that we have made... Hats off to David Dhawan. Because he was so comfortable with working with actors. Haseena will agree but I remember when we went to Goa...

We stood outside the bungalow. And David read the scene and said, Do whatever you want to do. I watch those films. I think, was I mad? How could I do this?

But I used to be drunk on that I am in movies. So I used to use that addiction. Otherwise, who would say hello like this?

Come, come.

I am greeting you from behind.

You are enjoying it.

And that fun reaches the audience.

And then an audio. You do it like this.

How do you make that sound?

Like I do. I do it like this. There was a film called Dil. When Inder Kumar told me... that you have to remove the fly and suck it and throw it. I mean obviously the same one

I said, are you crazy? Are you really thinking? He said, yes, I want to show the idiom of miser, fly, suck And I am thinking how educated I am, I will do this? So then I said, yes I will do And you will not believe that my best scene is that Unbelievable things and yet 1.4 billion people believe it.

How do you feel when you are called a legend?

I hate it.

Why?

Because this is the world's way of telling you that you have done a lot of work. Now you have reached the retirement age. Now you will get a lifetime achievement. Now you go towards the sunset. Have you ever got a lifetime achievement? I always refuse In my 90s

I will think of getting a lifetime achievement I tell everyone that no legend or veteran will call me No one Even though I have done 46 films

and because this world I have always thought of separating myself I have always I of separating myself. I did my first role at the age of 28, of a 65 year old man. I did the villain and all.

I feel that is how I am different from others.

And it's important for you to be different?

Of course.

Why?

Otherwise what is your identity?

And why is it important to be recognized?

Of course.

I want to be an actor because I am recognized. What's the point of becoming an actor? Why do you do podcasts? Apart from earning money. No, I like being famous. I like asking questions.

Now I have gotten curious about people. I get to sit with people like you.

Exactly. If this is what pays my bills, then I am the luckiest guy. And also it makes you famous. And also it makes you sit with, meet with all the ministers and everybody. Yeah, and one day maybe it takes me to Rajya Sabha, who knows. You want to be in Rajya Sabha?

I am very hopeful of it. I want to be a parliamentarian. I want to go into administration.

Okay.

I want to govern.

I also had a passion in politics at one time.

Then? Then Kiran left.

And then I liked like acting and cinema Then I thought that as an individual If you have a voice, you can do a lot of things

But I think I will get the answer to that question a little later

No, which one?

Then why is it necessary to be unique? Because then

Being ordinary is necessary

But if you are born, you are unique, no? Then the end is...

No, no, no, if you are born, you are not unique Scientifically, you are unique, no? No, no, no. If you are born, you are not unique. Scientifically, you are unique because your fingerprints are not found in the world. But you have to make yourself unique. What is that? Making yourself a role model in the society? No, your self-esteem. I have done so many films. There are a lot of people who want to be called legend, who want to be called thespian, who want to be given lifetime achievement.

But I think my competition is with me and my standard is very high. That's good. You are constantly pushing it. Yes, and especially no one has the right to decide what you should do. I think being unique is very important.

What's your favourite meal?

I love eating.

I can see that. No, I mean in your thoughts.

You're a fit man. I like to eat rice and lentils with ghee.

Do you eat meat?

Yes, I've stopped eating meat for a year dal. Do you eat meat? I have left it for a year.

What do you generally drink?

At Anil Kapoor's house, single malt, Yamazaki.

Don't you drink at your house?

No, who will drink alone?

Okay, okay.

But I will tell you something very interesting. I have a friend, Anand Desai. He is in drama school, he was my roommate. I had a fight with him. And we didn't talk for 6 months. Why did you fight? I don't know. It was a stupid thing. And we didn't talk for 6 months.

And we were on our way to Janpath. We were laughing at each other. We were like idiots. I was about to say something else. Tell me what happened. We were like idiots.

I said, forgive me.

You should have said 4-5 more things. I said, forgive me, my family. I said, forgive me, my family.

Give me 4-5 more abuses, I didn't have to apologize so much. We ordered half. And like in films, we decided to go to Kakeda Dhaba for food. Tandoori roti or butter naan? What are you? Butter naan.

Butter. Garlic naan.

Mint paratha?

That too.

You are having a conversation at lunch time. We will have a blast. You are sitting in Delhi. Here, Pandhara Road.

Gulati or Pindi?

Gulati. Gulati. Gulati.

Okay.

Mr. Gosla, now you are also from South Delhi.

What do we put in the drink first?

So?

You also get a cold drink for yourself. So we...

We drank. After that I remember I bent down to close the shoe lock. I bent down to close the shoe lock. And then I don't remember anything. And I woke up in the morning and I was like this.

Then I decided what is the idea of drinking if it gives you such nonsensical headache next morning.

You got it in one go?

Yes, in one go.

In one go.

Did you vomit that night? No.

In the morning?

I think so.

On yourself?

No, no, no. No, no, no. They also put their fingers in my mouth. I didn't even eat food. You drank on an empty stomach? Because he was lying down like this. And he was looking at me. He never forgets that visual.

Do you ever fear losing memory?

Yes, that is my biggest fear.

Because you are very sharp with it and you like to show it off also if I may.

No, I used to write my life. I see my life as a film.

That's why I remember all the dates. When I was looking for a job in Bombay, someone told me that they are opening an acting school. So, there was a big ad for it.

And in that, Nasiruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, Om Puri, they were members of the advisory board. So, I wrote to that person that I teach in Lucknow, in a drama school. So I want to teach here. So he said, okay, you come. We will give you 5000 rupees and a house to stay. So no one came to the railway station. We found out that it was a hoax.

That ad was also wrong.

You were scammed.

Yes.

You were taken to Mumbai in a scam.

Now the word scam comes, then we used to say fraud. Fraud. You were taken to Mumbai in a scam? Now when the word scam comes up, we used to say dhoka. You were cheated. You were cheated. That was a big shock. But I always look at life maybe the background is like

when a person is very poor, he looks at life with a sense of humour. So it looks less. Can you see in the present also in a sense of humour or hindsight? No, no, in the present. In the present. A man when he reaches around 55, he knows how to evoke and analyze himself. And ladies, maybe late 40s. At that

time you either like yourself or you don't like yourself. Or you are like, what kind of life have I lived? Correct. I love myself. Which is clear. Which is clear. My reference to point, where I started from, where I have reached in life, this is my reference point.

If I may, I think we have a little intimacy.

A lot.

Don't be scared. Sometimes, I feel like there is some sort of self-obsession happening. Which is like you know. Why shouldn't be there with self-obsession? But I feel like it's maybe slightly too much But because you're judging me that is why it's too much for you

I'm not judging myself Because I feel ownership, because I'm a fan But you're also judging me You're a big part of my childhood Mr. Kher, you're a big part of my childhood I feel certain ownership over you. But you also feel superior by judging me.

No, there is nothing superior about you. No, no. You are not saying it in a bad way. I will judge my parents the way I will analyze them.

I am analyzing you the same way.

But I think you know your parents very well.

Yes.

You don't know me.

I am trying to know you now. That's why I chose this. And I choose guests on this basis. Yes.

You are saying that self-obsession When Shahrukh Khan says I am the best You say this is self-obsession. Anupam Kher says I am the best. You do have superstar energy. And you are a superstar.

Yes.

Despite this, when I reached Bombay This is a dignified, sexy, bald look. Half bald, half from here. And when I reached Bombay, people used to say, you don't have a hairstyle, you should become an assistant director, become a writer.

I want to become an actor. Then you, after 3 years, after digging the soil of the streets of Mumbai for 3 years and you reach there. And the first film, Sahransh. People said, are you mad? At the age of 28, you are playing the role of a 65 year old man. But till today people say, it's not about Sahransh.

Do you feel like you are underappreciated?

Depends on who are the people who decide. There is a section of people who decide, who try to decide that we have to make this great, we have to keep this like this.

Yes.

So that happens. I mean, why is that categorization? That media...

That is the mediocrity of people.

But we do like heroes. We won't see all of them, we will only see Amitabh Bachchan.

Yes, but he deserves...

But he...

He of course deserves every bit of praise that he gets.

We have come to watch the film after watching him. But there is a section of people, of media, who decide, that Anupam Kher should not be called for a round table conversation for acting.

Okay, this happens.

I mean, he has not called me till now. You have never been called to a round table?

No.

You have never? No. You've never?

No. I mean I'm the father of an acting main sir. I run an acting school. I know that... I just called a senior editor and told him. I said, you get so happy talking to mediocres. But you've never called me for anything.

I said this a month ago. So many years back I decided, I used to get affected before. I used to feel pain because I like people. I like to be liked. Everybody likes to be liked. You want to be liked. You still want to be liked.

No, I still love to be liked. That is a human nature.

Correct.

Because especially if you think you are a nice person, whatever the definition of a nice person is, it's a human nature that I want to be liked. The day you understand that you don't need to be liked by everybody, you become the king. I had done a play, Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Apne Life Par. I did that when I almost went bankrupt in 2004. Okay. I did that when I almost went bankrupt in 2004. Because I wanted to become a TV tycoon.

But we were taking loans. And I was the first person in my family who had seen 10,000 rupees for the first time. For a 100 year old family. So, the interest kept increasing. One day, my chartered accountant came and said, almost on the verge of bankruptcy because there is only 400 rupees in the bank and both the house and office are mortgaged.

Then I said, what should I do? How should I earn money? Okay, in front of people, I was a very happening actor because I was coming in films. Then Penguin and HarperCollins both told me to write my autobiography. So I thought, I don't write. Then I thought, okay, I will record it. I had spoken about all my failures in it.

And I had called all the failures, from a point of view of comedy. Like my initial monologue was like, I was born in Shimla. My father was not around when I was born, only my mother was there. Mother had to stay otherwise who would have given birth to me. So after being born, when that English nurse brought me and put me in my mother's lap, mother saw me, she had tears in her eyes and two words came out of her mouth,

my son. Meanwhile, father also reached there. Seeing me, that English nurse asked my mother, Mrs. Kher, is this your first child? Mother did not know English, she looked at my father. My father said, yes, but why? The English nurse again asked my mother, Mrs. Kher, I don't have any child. Can I please adopt your son?

Please, please, please, can I adopt your son? Mother looked at my father. I was stunned to see a British actor. He had never seen a British actor before. I was in demand as soon as I stepped into the world. So when I heard this, I thought this is a 10 hour show. I am an actor, I should perform it, I should not write it.

So you made a play about it. I made a play, a one man show, which I have been doing for the past 20 years. I have done more than 500 shows worldwide. That play is about my failures. And I laugh at them. So that play liberated me. It took away the fear of failure. So when you tell your failures to the world, then what will they scare you with? You have nothing to lose then.

You have nothing to lose. There is no fear then. So then there is no fear. Then you are king of your own life. Then you are unique. So I think, this could be the title of this film again and again. The unique Anupam Kher. I may lie to you, I may lie to so and so. I don't lie to myself.

That is why I keep improving. When did you stop lying to yourself? There was a film called Nighahen. It was Nagina's part 2. So, Hanmesh Malhotra, who is the producer and director, came to me and said, You are doing Amrish Ji's role. So, I thought, I will do such a role that people will forget that Amrish Ji had done this role.

So, Sunny Deol was in that.

Okay.

So, I literally put my life into every scene. Literally. Okay. I mean, I did big acting.

Extra.

Acting by shouting. I mean, I did a lot of acting. Extra. Screaming acting. You are showing it. My name was Bhairavnath. Bhairavnath.

Bhairavnath.

When I was doing dubbing, I thought, this is a problem. Because I was fed up of my acting. Then I tried to reduce it in dubbing. So, Harmesh ji said, do it.

Look at the enthusiasm. Put more of this. The movie is releasing on Friday. The distributor watched the movie on Sunday. And on Monday night,

I got a blue label at my house with a letter. Never before I have seen an actor like this. I had never seen a blue label in my life. I saw the truth in that letter I am a fool

I am insulting myself Whereas Puran Chandra who has distributed such big films I thought he is a great person So I did a personal trial that evening. I called Yashji, Chopraji and his wife. Rekha was doing a film shoot with me.

I called her and the film started. Kiran came in with her hand in my arm. The first scene was... I had dubbed the music but there was no music. So I thought I had done added music, I had dubbed it, so there was no music. So, in the first scene, I thought I had done a bit too much. Now, this is the first scene.

So, Kiran removed her hand.

When it was established, I knew this was going to happen.

Yes.

When my second scene came, Pamji's voice was heard loudly. She was not subtle about it. Darling, I am feeling sick. So, when the third scene came, She was not subtle about it. Darling, tabiyat maadi bhi kharaab ho rahi hai. To teesra scene jab aaya, Rekha ne ka,

I have an early morning shooting.

I have to go.

To wo chali nahi.

Teen scene rukein wo yaar.

Haan teen scene rukein wo. Ab Yash ji, shor se wo baas siye liye. Now I am thinking that if there is a earthquake, a snake comes out in the theatre or the operator gets a heart attack, this movie will stop. After the interval, we all left and the whole world knew that the film did not do very well. So then I understood that if someone praises you, don't change your mind. Now I don't lie to myself.

In fact, at the risk of you calling me that I am praising myself, I don't care. You should not. You made me conscious of it. Not because of anything else. Now you will say that I know how to dance. I will say that I dance very badly.

So I can't praise myself for that. Can you sing? I can't sing badly but I can't praise myself. Acting? Amazing. I can do anything. I can do the best. Food? No, it's okay. But you refer your life to what you were and to what I am today. From that point of view, I am very proud of myself.

And you should be. But I am not saying it defensively. So you don't have to underline it but you should be. That's a condescending way of looking at it.

Okay. I apologize if I came across as condescending. I apologize. I don't mind apologizing Anubhav. Come on man. Now this is going to be the best interview. It can be boring but But... No, no, no. If you are saying it, then come on. If Amitabh Bachchan was sitting here, would you call this interview boring? Why are you comparing yourself to Amitabh Bachchan?

No, no, no.

Then?

No, no, no.

Then?

You wouldn't have done this to Amit I will do this with him. I will do the same with him. I saw your interview with Gadkari ji. I liked it. But he is a very nice person also. He is a very straight forward. Very very I like him.

I haven't seen your personal announcement yet.

It's been 10-11 years. Now we are not a Congress ruled country. And there is a change in the states too. Right? Now, Congress is not a governed country and there is a constant change in the states. I am asking this because, should I call you a vocal supporter of BJP or that won't be right?

I think it is easy for you to say that. No, no, I want to know if that is what. I think you can call me a vocal supporter of India. That's fantastic. I relate to that. I am a vocal supporter of India, proud Indian. Anybody who talks about India, I have my full faith in him or her.

Now, if in that sphere, the present regime or the present establishment talks about India, so then you can say you are easily supported also. No, I am completely fine with how you just described yourself.

Yeah, yeah.

You should not even be associated with any party.

You did not even associate me with any party. That's why I was asked to join politics so many times. Everyone thought so because I used to talk about India. They used to say that a politician wants to become a politician.

Was there ever an aspiration?

Yes, there was. When was that? 10-12 years ago. There was? Yes.

And why did it end?

Because I thought as an individual I have a better voice. And a bigger voice.

There must have been something there that you didn't want to get into this world.

No, I think I love being an actor. I love being a creative person. I love it too much. It is so amazing. It's so much to do. Politics must be wonderful. Kiran was in it for 10 years. But... You're consumed by acting.

I am consumed by human life. What's not going right in the society in the country, Anupam? Tell me one thing that we haven't been able to fix yet. instill a sense of cleanliness a little more in people individually.

Is there a change as soon as you hoped?

There is a change. There is a change? What kind of change? Your respect in the country, as an Indian has increased. That mark shift has come because of this government? Because of this government. Because of this

government, because of Mr. Modi. Okay. In what country specifically if I may ask you. Every country, European country, American countries. But on per capita income we aren't fourth and fifth and that's not a benchmark that we look at Anupam. A critic looks at it what is not there. Apart from India, I ask you, which country would you like to live in?

No, I would like to live only in India. Why? I was born here.

Or is there anything else about the country also that you think that this is the best country? I mean, we do have the ability to become the best country.

We are not a service-based country. That's all I know. We can become.

Exactly.

That hope is very important. I am hopeful about the country. That's what I am saying. You said that what has changed. This has changed. The perception of people has changed. People have become aspirational.

So, internationally, the respect has increased. It's your experience. I agree. Domestically, what are we still not...

Today is the 79th birthday of the country. For 10,000 years we were slaves. 1000 years. Still we have maintained our Hindustanism. Our tradition, our...

This is going to be fun.

Yes, I mean, our... So don't criticize each other. Of course I will criticize. I am asking you, what do you think? I am criticizing at home. I am sitting at home. Of course, criticize.

I have praised the country a lot. Sometimes it is important. Let the people criticize. You say the good things about the country. There has to be people. As compared to what is not working.

The per capita income can be better. The employment maybe can be people. As compared to what is not, of course what is not working, the per capita income can be better, the employment maybe can be better, so many things can be better. There is no end to being better. But what is there, let's applaud that. And what is not there, let's work towards that. Are there any things in which we are getting worse? I think, I think, I think that I think we should have, we should make our children grow up as children.

Okay.

If I am a little sane today, it's because I have grown up in my childhood as I should have.

You would like, if I am sane.

If I am sane.

Okay.

Right?

Yes.

No, I could have been Chatterjee. That's good. You have done a good job. I have hit six on Google. Lamhe.

Lamhe is also your film.

First meeting with Yash Chopra. During the shooting of Daag, I was in Shimla as a student. If you haven't seen the song I am not going to make friends. Aish Chopra is during the shooting of Daag. I was in Shimla as a student.

If you don't want to see the song, I don't want to make friends. I had shown him too. Aish ji... I was the audio on that, Bhavesh? Was the audio okay or should I do it again? Okay. The bullet would have gone off by now.

So he called me and asked me nicely. It was Gargi sir's play. Gargi sir was his friend. He gave me lassi. Then he came to watch my play. And he offered me a role. He was making a torch.

Then when he saw the play... He was giving Mashal. When he saw the play... Mashal, was he giving you that role? Dilipji's role? No, no. Later, in Vijay, his first film, I did Dilipji's role. So, I think it was someone's role, a journalist's role. So, when he saw the play, he said to me,

I think you will do very well in life. Don't do a small role. Okay. So that was wonderful about him. He was a great man. I used to have breakfast with him every day when I was in Bombay. Everyday. And he had a treasure of poetry. He used to recite so many poems and stories. He made me feel like a rich man. To talk about films, to talk about Sahil Ludhianvi

To talk about Majrooh Sultanpuri To talk about R.D. Burman To talk about how Shiv Hari came on board I was mesmerized Like when I worked with Dilip Sir for the first time In Gufa

Karma? Yes, first in Karma After that when I worked in Saudagar Wear, we were stuck in a cave. It started raining and I was the only one. I ate his brain for two hours. Then he said, stop it brother.

I said, enough. Anoop? Anoop used to call me. Stop it brother. I ate his brain. How many questions will you ask? I said, I have just started.

You are Dilip Kumar, you don't know. I saw your movie. I had broken my nose while buying the ticket. So I never... Like Mr. Bachchan. When I worked with him for the first time, he told me a long main dialogue.

That I think about the heat. If I think, I get it. If I don't, I don't. So how can you forget just because you become somebody does not mean that you are equal. You will never be the equals.

When was the last time you got angry in life? When you are not prepared for the set, you get angry. No, no, no. You don't throw any tantrums?

I am a, no, no, no.

You don't throw any tantrums?

Not at all. That's my profession. This is the benefit of being famous. What if four extra fans come to take a selfie? I love it. The day fans don't come to take a selfie, that day will be a problem.

What will you do on that day, Anupam Kher?

I will do something so that they can do something. Is it necessary for you to be famous now?

Yes.

Of course. You are attached to it?

Of course.

I am doing this to be honest. When my interview is over, people will say that it was the best interview.

Then dance.

No, I have decided it. I have decided that it was the best interview. Sorry about that. I am praising myself. No, I love it. You have told me four times that you like to praise yourself.

Don't you like it? I like to praise myself Don't you like it?

I like to say such things. When we were going to do it last time, he said that we need three hours.

I said, what will you talk to me for three hours? You have written in Punjabi, Trolley Times. I can read Punjabi. So, what was I saying to you? You were saying, three hours. So, I said, what do you want to talk for three hours? You didn't hear me, I am listening to you. No, no, no. Three hours. Three hours. So I said, what do you mean by three hours?

So I noticed you.

You didn't hear me.

I am listening to you.

So I noticed you there. This guy is saying that I don't want less than three hours. So I liked it. Have you seen Gunda? Kanti Shah's Gunda. I have worked in a tribute to Kanti Shah. I don't remember the name.

He gave me 3 lakh rupees 22 years ago. Was it very sleazy? No, I was Thakur. Do you remember any dialogue? No, but he used to reduce the length of the film in a day. There is a camera like this.

Scene 1, change the shirt. Scene 14, change the shirt. Scene 16, and the shirt. Change the shirt. Scene no. 14, say the dialogue. Change the shirt. Scene no. 16, say the dialogue. And the picture is complete by evening. Best? 3 lakhs? 3 lakhs cash.

Can you tell me how much you get?

Me? 2-2.5-3 lakhs. I'm doing well. How much tax do you pay? Or Or you have ways to counter that? No, no, no. I was very lucky to have a very honest CA at the beginning of my career and he just died last year

I have done 3-4 films like Ziddi There was another film with Sunny Salakhe When I had to play an honest man I used to play, model it on Pathak sir. When you're Sunny's father and you're stuck in the jail, that is Sanakhe no? Yeah, that is a haunting film dude.

So when I used to do it to an honest man, shirt, boot shirt, it was on Pathak ji. So when Pathak ji used to call, it meant that he was going to scold me. I was not scared of anyone, I was scared of shirt and a blue shirt. So I was reading Parthak's book. When I got a call from him, I was like, I was not scared of anyone, I was just scared of him. You don't care about the tech, you are crazy, what are you doing? I will call you later,

when your guys come. You read. Parthak was a great man. So he taught me honesty in films by default. Because he was an honest man Is the industry going through some sort of

identity crisis? Hindi film industry I am talking about Hindi, not Indian We are trying to be cool None of us can relate to today's Hindi films

Because we are trying to be cool Our definition of coolness is that we are cool, we are shooting guns in high speed, but it doesn't suit us Nobody is acting

Can you give me an example? I am not able to understand

Like two people are talking to each other Being casual has become acting So what were you saying?

Oh!

No, no, no Listen to me, I am not trying to say this This is not acting

No, but are you saying more realistic acting? I am sure you appreciate it But listen to me for a minute. I don't want to say this. This is not acting.

No, but are you saying more realistic acting? I'm sure you appreciate. Because you are a De Niro worshipper.

I loved it.

Oh!

I ruined the sentence. First he said, you are a De Niro. Then he said, worshipper. I was happy till De Niro. You are not Bob. You are Bob's fan. I'm Bob's friend now. That means

liked by him does mean It means the world to me. You become a kid again. I'm ready to become anything. I have messages of Bob in my phone.

I look at them and think what is this? What have you become? What are you saying? Favourite Bob performance? Raging Bull As a film dude

Even as a performance I have never seen anything better than King of Comedy

I have never seen anything better than King of Comedy

For Bob to play For Mr. De Niro to play A bad actor and convincingly And you say you hate him He is a loser You hate him that he's such a bad actor. And he's doing it. Kamal hai. Have you ever wanted to kiss De Niro? Because it does feel like slightly

sexual also. Sorry. No, no, no. I have normal tendencies. No, you don't think that's also normal? Men liking men is not normal? No, I'm not like that.

Okay, you're straight?

Yes, I'm not.

Okay, okay.

Have you never had feelings for a man?

No.

Okay.

No.

You're from Shimla.

No, I mean, I've never had feelings for a man. I respect the men who have feelings for me. It's a good hai, why not? That's a sexual preference they have. But I, you ask me, I don't have any such. For just Bob I asked. Because, you know, looking at him is sufficient. Talking to him is sufficient.

Spending time with him is sufficient.

How's your relationship with your, I feel like you two are very similar in your profile. Paresh Rahul.

How do you rate him as an actor? He's a very fine actor. What is the relationship between you two? He is a good friend. We are friends. In the industry, people are mostly friends. You match a little bit of ideological feelings. Nobody discusses that. This is the outsider's point of view. You know, outsiders see it like that. But certainly you and Naseeruddin Shah are not greatest of buddies

I still feel that I have a great respect for him I think he sometimes has a loose talk conversation about me When we met, he was saying sorry What are you saying? We met recently? Yes, we met at the time of HD Patak's death

Oh, a decent man, HD Patak, CSR Yes, because he was his and HD Patak, CSR. Yes, because he was also his and HD Patak was also his relative. So we met there on his 4th. So Naseer told me that hug him and meet him. Because I always hug him and meet him. I like him a lot. We have come to the films after seeing him.

But I think sometimes he just says things just like that. I don't want to say it but he is a brilliant and intelligent man and God has given him so much. He was as… he is… there is no bigger star in parallel cinema than him. There is no one. But I think there is some kind of bitterness or what so which… in which sometimes I become the victim, sometimes Dilip sir becomes the victim, sometimes Rajesh Khanna becomes the victim.

But then, what you said, do you have anything in that? That video that came out, about the products, that something...

I had to say that because he said, something is wrong with my blood. Oh, he said that to you? Yes.

So, it was personal.

So, then... So apart from Naseer, out of context, what do you think about marijuana consumption? No, only those who like it. Have you ever tried? Of course. How did you feel? I tried it on the film city helipad.

Okay, fine.

So, someone... I'll tell you who. After the...

Okay.

So I'm sitting there and I think I must have taken two drags.

Okay.

And I looked up at the sky and there was a plane taking off from Bombay airport. So I started looking, that plane became a dot and I am seeing it even then, I think I saw it till the time it landed in Heathrow. I am going crazy. And the same day, I was, after that I sat in the car and I thought is the road running or the car running.

What happens is, the second part When I did the second part in drama school I swore that I will never take it again Because I Was laughing for 8 hours On Holi?

Was it with everyone? I was laughing in the hostel and I was telling my warden Whoever had the fever He Climbed on the terrace, The army is coming. I'll go, save me. And there was another boy, Yusuf Mehta. Mahavir Chaudhary.

Mahavir Chaudhary's nose was itching here.

Okay, okay.

And his hand was reaching till here. So he peeled it off and bled. The third guy was... Mota sir was in our class. Ajay, he passed away unfortunately. He was standing like this. Yusuf Mehta's job was to fill a bucket and drop it on him.

This was going on.

In a loop.

6-8 hours. And I was thinking that I am completing the sentence, why isn't he answering? But actually I was telling him, listen to me. Now I am waiting, him. And he was like... I was waiting for him to answer. And I felt like I was saying...

He was going to the point. Like the mask from Jim Carrey's film. Then I never had that. What if Bob says, drink it? No, no. I think anything that makes me not in my senses,

it gives me fear. Anything that makes me not in my senses, it gives me fear. That's the right logic. Anything that gives me... I have fear in my senses. You want control of your own senses. I want to be in senses.

Do you consider yourself old? Do you feel old?

Not at all.

What does old mean, Anupam?

Old... Body gets old. Man never gets old. How's the body right now? Superb. Great shape. I do. I've worked out today.

No, no. Let's do this too. Is that so?

I think the best thing about life is without wanting to sound philosophical is if you live life. You don't want to sound philosophical philosophical, is if you live life. You don't want to sound philosophical?

No, if you live life, You will say that you are getting into philosophy. There are millions of people, thousands of people, lots of people exist in life. I live every single moment. Do you think about the D-World? Yeah, I do think about it.

You think how many years will be left. That's why I think it's clean and tasteful. That there are 25 more years. So is there any fear or acceptance? What is the feeling? You see, as I told you that when you reach 55

then you suddenly realize as you like yourself or you don't, I love myself and then you say there is so much to do. There is so much to do in life.

What do you want to do in life?

I want to make films, travel, talk.

Where do you want to go?

Like I... Have you been to Antarctica? No. I don't like travelling. I am not a great flyer. I am petrified of flying.

Okay.

And similarly, which is the most comfortable airline to travel? Emirates is very good. I like Air India also very much long distance.

You are a guru of a craft. Someone like me can call you. I will agree with you. You will not disagree. Okay. Leave something like this. You know your tool. You know this tool better than most.

Better than any of us in this room. Not only in this room, otherwise also. In the country. In the country. Just something about the tool that you can. I don't know what kind of wisdom you will share.

Like what? You ask me a question. What is the tool?

Voice, body. Is there something that you understand about the human body that peasants like me can... You know, we are not there yet.

Lennon Muranji. There are two types of acting. One that you feel and it reaches the world. If you give any emotion and if you feel it, then the reach the world. If you give any emotion and if you feel it, the camera

will catch it. But that cannot happen again and again because you can feel only once. That's why 90% of the time people like the first film of every actor because of the way he feels. So I will ask you a question, which is one emotion that you find difficult to emote?

Let's say anger for now. You find it difficult? No, no. I'm just supposing. I don't understand which emotion is difficult for me.

You can easily get angry.

Okay.

I think you will be able to cry also easily. I think you will be able to... What will be difficult for you will be comedy.

Okay. Because I'm trying to be funny?

No, no, no. To be funny in real life and to be funny for camera or for stage is two different things. Correct. Because tragedy is immediately related to it. It can be silent too. Because you are watching a film in a cinema hall and you are crying.

Because you are relating. But if an actor wants to make you laugh, then you will have to make physical changes. Agreed. First, he did a good comedy.

Then you will do this. Second, he did a good comedy.

Very good.

Third, he did a good one, you did a better one. Sorry, son. It's a good song. You did a good third one.

Oh my God!

This is physical. Then you did a better one. You have to do so much. For that, the actor has to be brilliant. Because he is making the audience member physically do so many things.

How do you do comedy?

By not taking yourself seriously. That's the only rule. You understand? You have to pick up the bowl and say, You are hungry, let's stop.

You are hungry, let's stop.

Now keep this. Now action. Say it. You are hungry, let's stop. You are hungry, let's stop. Now keep this. Now action. Say it. You are hungry, let's stop. No, you are faking it. You are hungry, let's stop. No, it's fake.

You are hungry, let's stop.

It's still fake.

So how to do it? You tell me. That's why, by practicing. Believing in it. That's why there are some good actors.

But I don't want to close this interview. That's different. There's a new thing going on nowadays.

What now? Should we take the election commission seriously or not? Of course, seriously. Do you see any misuse of the election commission as a citizen? Or do you think that no, trust the process, fight the elections. I think that those who are just putting allegations, I think if they talk about what they will do if they come in power, there are chances of them coming into the power.

Okay. They can learn the game. Yes, because only the criticism is that we don't like your show. You should also do it. Then you will feel that can you do such a show? Can you do such an interview? No, no, but in your show you were talking a lot with Anupam Kher. You didn't ask any hard questions. You were his fan. You didn't talk about politics. You didn't even talk about Kashmir. Yes, you can show this. No, that's not important.

So I think that is what is important. Do it. It is very important to have an opposition which believes in doing things. It's very important. But if you are just opposing for the sake of

bringing new issues, bring intolerance issues, then you bring another issue. Issues? of He was stuck on the fact that he had to do it. He had to do it. It was convincing. That's why my answer came spontaneously. That's... It's our style. But now it will keep running in your mind.

Not today. After this you understood that because the mind knows how to speak, how to make it convincing. Correct.

Now I will learn and mix it in the process.

Right. I am tired. I am hungry.

Yes. Look at the camera once and tell us your experience and tell them to subscribe to Unfiltered by

Sandeesh.

It was a great, it was a cathartic experience. Whoever you are a catharsis, it is very good. And it's unfiltered with Sandeesh, it was fantastic. Great job. fantastic, great job, great... I felt rich as a person which is the best thing that can happen in today's time.

Thank you.

Thank you Mr. Kher, thank you man. If you are still like this even after the camera is off, it's a good thing.

I am like this.

That's brilliant.

I am like this and I will be like this.

If Anupam Kher can really be like this. Then anything can happen.

I have ruined it. I have ruined it. Kuch bhi ho sakta. Tatya naash kar diya na. Tatya naash kar diya saara.

Patna kya hua?

Wi-Fi password yaha ka dost ho hai.

Airtel.

UF4567UF.

Aajao. Yahaan baitho.

Thank you sir.

Nee tum baitho yaar.

Nee nee. Acha chalo chink.

You are the director. Let's change that. We never spoke about Om Jai Jagdish. Jeena kya? You didn't speak to about…

Jeevan se haari?

About Tanvi the Great also. I haven't seen that. You haven't seen it? You should be ashamed.

I haven't seen Kashmir file yet. I haven't seen Kashmir file yet.

Shut up.