Veteran Bollywood actor Anupam Kher, celebrated for his iconic role as Raghuvir Pathak in the 1994 classic '1942: A Love Story', recently shared a startling anecdote from the film's shoot, revealing his immense dedication to his craft. The revelation came during his appearance at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, where a restored version of the beloved film was among four of his movies showcased.
The Typhoid Struggle: No Holiday from Vidhu Vinod Chopra
During an inspiring masterclass titled 'Giving up is NOT a choice' and a subsequent interview, Kher delved into the challenges he faced while working on Vidhu Vinod Chopra's directorial venture. He vividly recalled falling severely ill with typhoid upon reaching the shooting location in Dharamshala. When he informed the director, Chopra's strict response was, "Koi baat nahi, shooting karenge theek hojaayenge, no chutti (It's fine, you will be fine while shooting, no holiday)." Despite the ordeal, Kher fondly remembered the overall experience, praising Chopra as a "really great director."
Juggling a Mammoth 23 Films Simultaneously
The actor attributed his illness at the time to his incredibly hectic schedule, which involved shooting for multiple films at once. Kher disclosed that there was a period in his career when he was working on a staggering 23 films simultaneously. He explained that he was typically managing 5 to 7 projects at the same time, a testament to his work ethic and passion for acting. He expressed profound gratitude for his career, stating that he had always wanted to be an actor and that God had placed him in that very position.
Anupam Kher's Current Dynamic Film Lineup
On the work front, the prolific actor shows no signs of slowing down. He recently appeared in Anurag Basu’s ‘Metro...In Dino’ and also directed and starred in ‘Tanvi The Great’ alongside Shubhangi Dutt. In a significant new development, Kher has now teamed up with pan-India star Prabhas for an untitled project directed by Hanu Raghavapudi. This collaboration is particularly notable as it marks the veteran actor's 544th film, cementing his legendary status in the Indian film industry.
The festival in Goa also featured his other works, including 'The Bengal Files' and the international production 'Calorie', highlighting the diverse and enduring appeal of his filmography.
