In a recent no-holds-barred conversation on Unfiltered by Samdish, Veteran actor Anupam Kher took a deep dive into his storied career, personal philosophy and what truly keeps him going. For someone whose filmography spans decades – from child – actor beginnings to hundreds of films- Kher remains refreshingly grounded, unabashedly self-aware and brutally honest.
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When asked if he enjoys being called a “Legend” or “Veteran“, instead of basking in praise, he responded with a simple, powerful though: for him, self obsession means discipline. He argued that a certain dose of “Healthy Ego” is essential for anyone who wants to keep working and have this way too look at things in love no matter how harsh it gets with a small dose of humour – to push even harder, stay relevant and never rest on past laurels. That resolve shows in his choices even today: he recently declared that he wont accept any lifetime-achievement awards for at least another 20 years – because his journey is far from over.
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One of the most touching and exciting segments was when he talked about his friendship with the Global Icon known as The God Of Acting for many; Mr. Robert De Niro. As a young actor, Kher once admired De Niro’s craft from afar and today he says that sometimes he just opens his phone and sees his chats with Bob (De Niro’s nickname) and feels so lucky and full of gratitude of how far he has come and things he has achieved in his life and he is still a fan but now they share a bond of mutual respect. That connection, he said, reminds him that real artists simply keep working, learning and evolving.
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But Kher didn’t shy away from controversy. Recently, the public clash with felloe thespian Naseeruddin Shah resurfaced, when Shah’s sharp criticism triggered a candid response from Kher. He didn’t hold back: in his view, acting and life – demand authenticity. And sometimes, that authenticity requires owning your truth, even if it invites backlash.
Despite everything, Kher remains optimistic and hopeful of their relationship. He says his core motivation isn’t fame or accolades – its the craft itself, the stories, the people, the work. And he’s still hungry.
Because for Anupam Kher, the journey isn’t over.
He’s not resting.
He’s not conforming.
He’s just getting started.
If this interview teaches one thing – Legends Don’t Rest. They Evolve and Keep Hustling.
