`It's the toughest thing I've done'
SANGEETHA DEVI. K
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After the refreshing `Khosla ka Ghosla', Anupam Kher talks about human relations in `American Blend' and plays a dwarf in `Jaan-e-mann.'
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Crossover is a term that's been used to describe films made by cash-rich NRIs
PHOTO: N. SRIDHARAN
SMALL WONDER Anupam Kher plays a dwarf in his next film
Anupam Kher has something new up his sleeve each Friday. As the middle-class Khosla, he struck a chord with audiences in his attempts to outwit Bomman Irani in Khosla ka Ghosla. Despite not having an A-list star cast, the film has been running successfully. This Friday, Kher sings a different tune. He is part of White Stripes Entertainment's first production, American Blend.
Kher tells the audience to not label the film as `crossover' merely going by its name. "Crossover is a term that's been used to describe films made by cash-rich NRIs. Not all were examples of good cinema. But American Blend is an Indian production, directed by LA-trained Indian film-maker Varun Khanna," he says. American Blend, he says, is universal in its appeal since it talks about human relationships. "I act the part of Raj Chadda, an Indian married to an American, played by Dee Wallace.
Both of us have children from our previous relationships, which gives rise to conflict. Raj Chadda is an NRI passionate about food and Bollywood and runs a café, Bollywood Café." The film has been screened at the MAMI film festival, the Newport Beach Film Festival and the Osian-Cinefan festival. "It's far different from what I've done in Khosla... or Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara," says Kher.
Different strokes
His roster boasts of films belonging to different genres. While he gets into the shoes of a dwarf in Jaan-e-mann, he gives you food for thought in Gandhi Park. "Earlier there were no takers for such smaller films. Mainstream films might dominate multiplexes today, but there's room for smaller films. At least there's a platform. Can you imagine a project like Khosla ka Ghosla running successfully a few years ago? I think Khosla worked because the middle-class could identify with the true-to-real life concept and the triumph of truth over evil told in a tongue-in-cheek manner."
Jaan-e-mann, which will release in October, presents Anupam Kher in a never-before role. "Kamal Hassan acted as a dwarf in the Tamil film Apoorva Sagothararkal. I think I'll be the first actor in Hindi cinema to do so. It was the toughest and most painful thing I've ever done. When I saw the outcome, I felt every bit of that pain was worth it. As an actor, I am open to pushing myself to do new things" he says.
Acting isn't the only part of cinema that Kher is concentrating on. His acting school is a pet project that takes up a lot of time. "I've benefited a great deal from cinema and this is my way of giving something back. We need disciplined actors and this school aims to bring out the best in talented youngsters. The functioning of the school has been streamlined and there are guest lecturers like Shabana Azmi, Urmila Matondkar and others. Teaching young minds keeps me alive," he says with the unmistakable hint of pride.
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