Born in Shimla, in the foothills of the Himalayas, I came to Mumbai 27 years ago in search of a career. That career eventually gave me a chance to showcase my talent, according me national recognition, and also some fame. I am thankful for that chance the city gave me.
Over the decades I have slowly realised that Mumbai has seeped into my bones, into my psyche, almost imperceptibly. And it gradually changed me forever. As a small-town boy, its hugeness dwarfed me. It made me feel insignificant and that feeling made me strive to become a ‘somebody’ in the metropolis. The huge bank of available talent, and the prevailing competition, spurred me to give every role my best shot. Unconsciously, the city broadened my horizons, made me an international citizen and also sparked a professional attitude in my approach to life.
Yes. I became a Mumbaikar. So whenever a tragedy happens to Mumbai, it happens to me.
I have been wounded when the blasts occurred in 1993, when the city went down in floods, when the trains were bombed; and indeed on many other occasions. But this time, when a handful of terrorists battered Mumbai senseless for 60 hours, I have become comatose.
As I write, I am many thousands of miles away from my city, in South Africa, and I am trying to find my bearings. Many questions course my mind; Is it worth the endeavour to become somebody significant when our life itself is at stake? Is it worth the effort to remain an achiever when you do not know if a meal at a restaurant, or a walk down the streets, may be your last?
I am restless and I am angry, as I am sure are millions of my countrymen. I believe that no circumstance in life should change my attitude to life. I must carry on living with zest, or I will die.
In this numbness, I must be inspired by what I have learnt from Mumbai in 27 years. I must go back to life and living. Else, I will be betraying all those who have given their today so that we can have a tomorrow.
I want to live, not exist. So I must go back to the beginning
About anupam.kher
"I have never judged life. If I had, I would have been a complete mess..."
Perhaps it is this attitude that explains the steady evolvement of Anupam Kher, both as a person and as an actor over his nineteen years in the Indian film industry. Moving from very humble beginnings to acquire a gold medal at the National School of Drama, Anupam Kher started his career through the expression that mattered most to him - Theatre. He has always made time for the stage, having acted in more than a hundred plays including "Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai", which is currently being staged successfully all over the world.
However, there is no denying that Anupam Kher is a talent mainly associated with the silver screen. With three hundred films to his credit, some of which are irreplaceable in their performance and value, Anupam Kher has made an indelible impression in the minds of his audience as one of India 's finest actors. With Gurinder Chaddha's ' Bend it like Beckham' he has now forayed into the international arena with challenging projects at hand.
A man of many ambitions, 1994 saw the launch of his own entertainment company to provide the highest quality of cinema and television entertainment, and has produced some very popular and unusual programmes in the last ten years. He took an important step further by producing his first film 'Bariwali' that went on to receive rave reviews in the international press with invitations to ten international film festivals.The film was felicitated with the NETPAC Award for being the most outstanding Asian Film at the Berlin International Film Festival and the Best Feature Film Award at the San Francisco International Film Festival.
Dipped in films, theatre and television, Anupam Kher's brush strokes give us a resplendent canvas that bears the weight of the Padmashree Award, bestowed upon him by the Govt. of India, and innumerable personal awards too. Not only has he to his credit the Special National Jury Award and the Actor of the Decade Award [Millennium Honours] among others, but he also happens to hold the record for being the only actor in the industry to have won eight Filmfare awards in a row.
And yet, Anupam Kher is more than just a success story with a celluloid image. He has always concerned himself with causes that kept him grounded and let him make a difference. He has taught special children for several years, is one of the founder members of People for Animals and has attended and organized numerous fund raising shows.
He also continues to host his exclusive children's chat show, 'Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi Batein' on Zee Smile.
Anupam, this is a powerful description of your home city and your relationship to it, currently being away.
I am BIIIIIIIIG Fan of Yours Anupam……so it's kind of surprise to read you here……..and also i remember what you write on your profile…………….. "I have never judged life. If I had, I would have been a complete mess…"
Hope it helps … giving your stuff back to you……………
Jatinder
I would like to extend my sincere sympathies and condolences to the bereaved Families and prayers and thoughts to all affected by this attack
This is totally unfair; innocent Lives being cruelly snatched by perpetrators of such condemnable actions
"When" will the perpetrators of such condemnable actions ever understand that by committing such actions, they are literally committing the very most sinful of actions!
It only leaves one more confused, perplexed and wondering in amazement with so many questions unanswered as to Why, Why and Why are such actions taking place? What do the perpetrators achieve?
Why don't they realize and understand that the World needs Peace, Love, Progress and Prosperity; that when they first contribute and invest in Peace and Love can they expect to reciprocate likewise, "When" will they ever learn?
Life is extremely Precious and when the perpetrators just take decisions and commit unforgivable actions; they only foster more repulsion and disgust at what they are seeking to demonstrate.
By committing such actions, they are only creating more hatred for themselves primarily; as well as further distancing and surrounding themselves with a vicious circle of further infinite hatred
At this crucial moment, where we stand at the cross roads of doing our very best to comprehend the reasons for these condemnable actions; it is sincerely Hoped that decisive resolutions are identified whereby they are able to facilitate an effective mitigation right from the core roots of these elements, where they emerged.
"Understanding" the core elements relating to this process is one of the strategic and instrumental keys in effectively managing and regulating the process instead of solely combatting since the first process is to establish a platform upon which a firm foundation could be built; the foundation of Universal Hope, Peace, Trust, Love, Peace, Harmony, Progress and Prosperity
It is pursuing an hopeful and practical process; whereby anticipating, innovating and embarking onto pursuing a practical approach for adeptly and resolutely dealing with such type of condemnable actions is being encouraged; Alas what has occurred cannot be recuperated, but the sacrifice that has been made by several innocent victims over the years reminds us and encourages us to stringently identify resolutions that could effectively harness the various factors effectively and implement a resolute approach in dealing / combatting with such condemnable actions decisively and practically.
It is more easily said than done; but every step taken in the direction of seeking to identify each resolution is essential and imminently approaching
Evolution is testament and holds evidential records of various events that have occurred and it is our duty to educate and inspire the concerned to seek to "Recognize" and "Understand" the immense potential value of each and every Life, since Life is extremely Precious and Splendid; and can "NEVER" be snatched away by these type of cowardly actions on any pretext or instance whatsoever.
Each and Everyone has the rightful privilege to Live and cannot become subject to what perpetrators of such condemnable actions think and decide, it is absolutely very wrongful, punishable to the maximum possible extents and unpardonable; (Although the deviation is there when reference is made to referring to the aspect of punishment, it is but natural that when all steps that are taken to make the concerned understand the significance and importance of reality and when they refuse to understand and persistently seek to establish their own agendas, then in such contexts, this is NOT permissible since there has to be Universal Harmony, Peace and Love that is accorded contentious precedence and pre dominance since the Universe provides us and bestows us each and every Moment with the very finest of virtues but when there is an interruption or attempts made by perpetrators to change the course of what is being manifested Universally, then the perpetrators are naturally SUBJECT to pay a price for their irresponsible actions, face the consequences; they need to be accountable and responsible and essentially "Understand" that defying the Universal Principles, The Laws of Nature is having a price that NEEDS to be paid)
It is not only retribution alone, it is fairness where no sides are taken, but what is just and unjust; since Nature never discriminates or favors one over another; but tends to remind and make one aware time and again that it makes one pay for one's wrong deeds whether now or later; but definitely has its own way of compensating those that have been made to endure and face unfortunate events due to the mindless actions taken by perpetrators; the distinguishing of those that are right and those that are wrong is already being journalized / recorded and will seek accountability accordingly.
I shall summarize the above comments on this note since it is an extensive appeal that consistently seeks to kindle the Hope for establishing Universal Hope, Peace, Trust, Love, Peace, Harmony, Progress and Prosperity; If a reference has been made to certain tendencies that reflect accountability, this is natural, since every action that is taken is linked and bound to result in a reaction; so every action that is taken must be carefully assessed and taken explicitly on the basis of establishing Universal Hope, Peace, Trust, Love, Peace, Harmony, Progress and Prosperity; it is the pursuit of a mutual process and not solely for suiting one's agenda alone!
With sincere Hopes, Thoughts and Humble Prayers,
Vashi Ram Chandi
sir , you have said right , absolutely there must be something "we as a people of India" should do to overcome the mess which is created.
When under attack we struggle to survive, as did those at the attack sites.
But you're quite right: that's no way to live.
And yet …
… how many struggling this day to find a cup of water that isn't tainted? to provide their children with more than a scrap of food?
To exist is only to be embodied; to survive is merely to be alive.
To live, to properly live … that benefits the entire situation.
When so many around are straining to merely survive, we can't reasonably hope to avoid the consequences, however distant they are, however insulated we are.
best wishes for you on your quest