He was an every day man from a small town in Simla, who came to tinsel town Mumbai with celluloid dreams, and Anupam Kher, who neither had the glamorous looks of a movie star or a god father in the film industry, followed his dreams and made them happen. In spite of obstacles and rejection, Anupam finally arrived when he fought tooth and nail to do a role that was almost taken away from him and given to Sanjeev Kumar.
He walked away with the prestigious Filmfare award with that role in his very first film Saraansh. The film etched the story of an elderly couple whose only child dies. As they struggle to get through the red tape to get back their son’s ashes, they also grapple with questions that loom in front of a suddenly childless elderly couple, whose dreams and hopes have now died with their son. Kher was 27 years old and Sanjeev Kumar who later saw his portrayal of a 65year old man, broke down while watching the film. “ I could not have done it better than Anupam” were his thoughts.
Since Saraansh, Anupam Kher has not looked back. He refused to be stereotyped. Today with 300 films, 8 filmfare awards, a Padmashri in 2004 and many theatre and television laurels under his belt, Kher comes to town with an autobiographical play Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai. The play has been running to packed houses wherever it has been staged.
Directed by outstanding theatre director Feroz Khan, whose brilliance has netted him invitations all over the world to stage his plays, Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai, traces the milestone failures in Anupam’s life – his dreams, memories of growing up, his first school play, which was a disaster, his first kiss which was a disaster, his first love which was also a disaster. It also traces the story of a mediocre student, who found his passion for acting in the national school of drama, and aced his way through the course netting the gold medal, because when you discover your passion, work becomes your joy your inspiration to excel.
According to Kher, this play has tested his credentials to the hilt. “ The play talks at length about the failures in my life.” Says Kher. He adds,” You have to laugh at your mistakes and take lessons from them. It was tough because the play has only one actor and secondly holding a mirror to your life isn’t easy.”
The play has Anupam playing different characters. It speaks volumes of his prowess as an actor that he can and has held every audience spellbound and mesmerized in a solo performance, that runs well over two hours, covering a gamut of emotions and still leaves you wanting for more.
A MUST SEE show for anyone who loves Quality Theater.