Anupam Kher is a veteran in Bollywood. With more than 500 films in his three-and-a-half-decade-long career, the man has managed to do diverse roles that have stood the test of time and has been etched in the audiences’ minds. The actor has not only made a name in Bollywood but has also become a household name in Hollywood too with his impeccable acting skills and performances. In an interaction with a popular page, he opened up about the lessons learned from the failures he faced in his younger days. 

In an interaction with the popular Humans of Bombay page, Anupam opened up about his initial struggles and overcoming the feeling of being a failure in life. He also spoke about how he found his calling in 9^th grade and decided to become an actor. He said, “I got my calling when I acted in a play in 9th grade. I couldn't say my lines well, so they were given to someone else. But during the play, he forgot to say them! So I made something up in my broken English - the audience was in splits!" he said.

 

 

 

 

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“When I was young, I asked my grandfather why we were so happy despite being poor. He said, ‘Happiness is our cheapest luxury’. My dad was very optimistic–when I ranked 59 out of 60 in school, he said I could always do better next time! It was this celebration of failures that made me unstoppable. I got my calling when I acted in a play in 9th grade. I couldn't say my lines well, so they were given to someone else. But during the play, he forgot to say them! So I made something up in my broken English–the audience was in splits! I loved being on stage & wanted to act full time. I saw an Ad for a course in Chandigarh & needed Rs.100 for the audition. I stole it from my mom & told her I was going for a picnic. Thankfully, I was accepted! So I went to Chandigarh to study acting. I was a teacher for 2 years, before I saw an ad that a drama school in Mumbai was hiring. When I got here, I realised they had no money–they gave me a small space to teach & a tiny room to stay. I didn’t want to go back a failure. So I taught there, while auditioning & performing in plays. It was hard–at one point I had no work, money or help. I had to live on beaches & sleep on platforms. I didn’t want to worry my parents, so I wrote to my granddad that I wanted to come back. But he replied, ‘A man who’s already drenched in water, shouldn’t be scared of rains’–I didn’t give up! It’s good that I didn't, because soon, I got a role in a Mahesh Bhatt film. I got money & a place to stay. But later, I was told I was replaced. I called Mahesh Bhatt & he said it was true. I couldn’t take it & decided to go home. But first, I met Mahesh Bhatt & told him no one would play the part better than me–he was making a mistake. So he told the producers he wouldn’t make the film without me–he saw the vigour with which I wanted to act. That’s how I got my first film. Today I’ve done over 500 films. It’s been a bumpy ride, but everyday, I thank my failures for bringing me this far. I thank all the people who said no to me, all the people who didn’t help me–because if it weren’t for them I wouldn’t have pushed myself to get where I am today…a place where my dreams, are now my reality.”

A post shared by Humans of Bombay (@officialhumansofbombay) on Jul 15, 2019 at 5:33am PDT

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He also wrote about his grandfather’s advice when he was at the brink of letting go and accepting the defeat of not being able to get a footing in Bollywood. His grandfather very pragmatically told him, “A man who's already drenched in water, shouldn't be scared of rains.” Anupam took his advice and his persistence paid off as he bagged Mahesh Bhatt’s Saaransh.”

However, the happiness was short-lived as Anupam was replaced in the film but before deciding to let go he went and had a showdown with Bhatt that reinstated him back into the film, and as they say, the rest is history. Signing off, Anupam said, “Today I’ve done over 500 films. It’s been a bumpy ride, but every day, I thank my failures for bringing me this far. I thank all the people who said no to me, all the people who didn’t help me–because if it weren’t for them I wouldn’t have pushed myself to get where I am today…a place where my dreams, are now my reality.” Anupam is a household name today and a revered actor who can give any male lead a-run-for-their-money.

(Source: Humans of Bombay)