Anupam Kher: I feel as if I’m starting my career all over again

Anupam Kher is clearly in one of the best phases of his life. His US show New Amsterdam just had its fall finale while his new mini-series on BBC One, Mrs Wilson, has received good reviews on international websites. The Padma Bhushan recipient also looks forward to the release of The Accidental Prime Minister, which is based on the life of India’s former PM Dr Manmohan Singh. 

The 63-year-old actor, who is currently stationed abroad, sounds excited as we connect with him for a telephonic interview. He is clearly missing home as the first thing he tells us is that, ‘It’s nice to hear a voice from India.’ 

In a tête-à-tête, he reveals why he is always keen to learn and how he constantly likes to discover himself as an actor. 

Things are going great for you. The same week New Amsterdam had its fall finale, Mrs Wilson went on air...

I’m on top of the world (laughs). It’s a great dimension, which not many actors can achieve, and I’m saying this with all humility. An Indian actor starting from Shimla, going to Chandigarh, Lucknow, then the National School of Drama to Mumbai and finally going to the US and being a part of such fabulous shows. It’s an achievement for me as an individual as well as an Indian actor. So, it’s a humbling experience as well as a proud feeling. 

You recently met the New York City mayor, Bill de Blasio and he said that he and his wife love New Amsterdam? 

I had gone with an Indian delegation to meet the Mayor as a courtesy call. He called up his wife and told her to come down immediately from her office, so that he could introduce me to her. She came and was equally joyous as him. They told me, my character, Dr Kapoor, was their favourite as it has a graph and has an emotional angle. The series has got a good response as it struck a chord with viewers. 

Tell us a little bit about your role in Mrs Wilson. The trailer looks interesting...

It is based on a real memoir and Ruth Wilson essays the role of her grandmother whose husband worked in the MI6. Initially, in the show, she isn’t aware about this aspect of his personality. Gradually, she learns new things about him after his death. I play a character who used to work with her husband and he is the one who reveals his details to her. When I see her trauma, I also have to counsel her. So, it’s an interesting role.

Having had a vast repertoire and immense experience, how do you prepare for such roles? 

I don’t think in English, I think in Hindi, so  I need to read the script at least five to six times to understand the nuances of my character. I also need to comprehend the hidden as well as the obvious meaning. That’s why I go through the various layers in the script and in  my character. Then, I start writing my dialogues. I focus on the acting part much later, first I need to familiarise myself with the emotions. These series have a lot of dialogues and they are not shot like feature films. A one-hour episode is shot within seven days. In New Amsterdam, there were medical terms, which I was unaware of. My background in theatre also comes in handy. I understand international cinema and theatre. I don’t put on the fake Indian accent that people abroad expect from Indians. I feel as if I’m starting my career all over again and I’m loving it. You don’t get this opportunity so often in life. It’s like reinventing yourself not only as an actor but also as a person. 

Last time, you had mentioned that you wanted to learn the piano while shooting for New Amsterdam. Have you managed to do so? 

I have graduated in the sense, there is a keyboard in my house now. Kabhi kabhi main usey dekhta rehta hoon, aur kabhi kabhi main usey bajaane ki koshish karta hoon. My teacher and I can’t coordinate the timings. Now, I’m trying to learn on weekends. I’m learning to play Raj Kapoor’s songs like Jeena Yahan Marna Yahan but I wish I was more regular with my practice. 

Did Ruth Wilson and you exchange notes as both of you have worked in theatre?

Yes, of course, we spoke about plays. My knowledge of western drama, British and American actors also came in handy. So, we had stimulating conversations. She is phenomenal and I love her work. The theatre background does help. Now because of the internet and social media when you act with new artistes, you go through their IMDB chart to familiarise yourself with their repertoire, which is a good thing, as compared to 10-15 years ago when international artistes had no idea what Indian actors were doing. We are used to watching them but they aren’t exposed so much to our work. But when they are working with someone, they make it a point to do research about their co-actor. 

What were your learnings as the Film & Television Institute of India (FTII) chairman?   

Interacting with the younger generation at FTII was a great learning experience. As you grow older, you become more stubborn because you get burdened by your own knowledge. My biggest asset has been my acting school and the one year of learning as FTII chief because you interact with the younger generation and they have a completely fresh point of view of looking at things. You need to always keep your mind open. The day you feel you are a veteran and know everything, that’s the end of the road for you. I also tell my students and the younger generation that they should never use the words, ‘That’s the way I am’.  Because even at the age of 90, you will learn something new. It’s the same case when you are working with newcomers. I’m the only actor who has collaborated with the maximum number of new directors whether it’s Aditya Chopra, Karan Johar, Dibakar Banerjee, Ayan Mukerji or Neeraj Pandey. I like to observe and learn from their perspectives towards work and life.

What is the update on The Accidental Prime Minister? It ran into trouble after director Vijay Gutte was held for Rs 34 crore GST fraud...  

We have just finished the shooting. Right now, the post-production is going on and it involves a lot of work as the movie has been made on a huge canvas. We will announce the release date soon. The movie has already garnered a lot of interest, so we just need to be good now (smiles). 

You have acted in theatre, cinema, web series and now international TV shows. What is it that keeps you going even at this age? 

We have just got one life and there’s so much to learn. If you are willing to do so, you ’ll always find time for it. My grandfather used to say a busy man has time for everything. It is just my desire to learn and understand my self-worth. Self-worth can only increase when you challenge yourself. Unless you challenge yourself, how will you discover your limits? Unless you get into a tunnel, how will you know that it can open to amazing horizons? I’m an eternal optimist, I always know I will see light and new horizons at the end of the tunnel.