Kher: Award Wins Feel Like Representing India

Anupam Kher has been honored with the Best Supporting Actor award at the UK Asian Film Festival for his role in the Indo-Canadian film 'Calorie'. This film poignantly explores the devastating consequences of the Kanishka Air Tragedy, which occurred on June 23, 1985, when Air India Flight 182 was bombed, resulting in the loss of 329 lives. Kher described the role as deeply personal for the director, Eisha Marjara, whose mother was on the ill-fated flight.

Kher emphasized that he approaches each role with the dedication of a first-time actor to avoid complacency, seeking out challenging parts that allow for deeper emotional exploration. Winning this award on an international platform, he feels, is akin to officially representing India and the 1.4 billion people of the country. He shared that he often proclaims 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' before working abroad, viewing his international work as a form of representation.

The actor also reflected on the changing dynamics of the film industry, noting a decline in celebratory events and an increase in fear of public criticism. He recalled a time when Bollywood stars would openly celebrate successes, a practice now tempered by apprehension that wins might attract negative commentary. Kher acknowledged the need to adapt to current times while expressing the occasional difficulty of this shift.