Anupam Kher and Satish Kaushik turn nostalgic and recall the time they entered the industry while talking to Angela Paljor
Having worked for 34 years, it’s time to create opportunities for newcomers. I remember myself as a newcomer and if it’s in my hand, I will definitely go for it,” says the veteran actor, Anupam Kher who is in Delhi promoting Ranchi Diaries — his debut production.
Kher decided to produce the film for various reasons. “Firstly, the script made a lot of sense, especially with the amount of relatability, there is no end to making a film on a large canvas. The story that Sattwik wanted to tell was infact the best way to be showcased.
“Secondly, more than the story-telling it was the characters that really intrigued me. We have seen all these characters in every city. And this is what makes the film special. People from across India will be able to associate themselves with the characters. Also, the pinch of humour is another important aspect. When I was reading the script I was smiling and at certain places laughing. The only place where I didn’t laugh was when I was reading my lines,” shares Kher who, didn’t find it difficult to finalise the production. “I wanted to have a person who could genuinely finish the film and the whole team was really well prepared. I only gave them a nudge. Now we are trying to reach the winning point.”
Kher’s loyal friend, Satish Kaushik who shares his flair for comedy, agrees with him. “I too joined Ranchi Diaries as an actor because the script was really good and so was the setup. And the script doesn’t demand top actors, it needed newcomers who can relate to what feels like being on a journey of achieving success — making it more realistic.
“Sattwik definitely had a grasp of the film as a director and the script writer. Everything was structured and all of us did three months of workshop. Even though I have a small part in this film, I thoroughly enjoyed it. For the first time my character demanded me to mumble my dialogues and not be funny,’ adds Kaushik, who plays a cop stuck in a bank during a bank robbery but he hardly cares about what’s going on
For Kher, Sattwik’s move to meet him without a producer was in fact a smart one. “What is smarter is that you have to find a foolish man who will believe in your ability or a smarter person to drive you toward it,” he adds with a bright smile. He also gives credit to the trailer and the music videos for the kind of buzz that has been created. “It’s important to remember that we can’t sell a bad product as good.”
Talking about the various phases Kher has witness in these years of being a part of the film industry, he shares, “I think hard working people, who take their job seriously survive somehow or the other. We didn’t have to worry even when the film didn’t go well, we knew that we will have other jobs lined up. But now the competition is furious and the talents are going through a
tough time.
“Earlier, when we would be promoting films and talking to journalists, the idea was to talk to them. Now, one has to constantly think of how to talk and what all selling points one have to mention. Plus there is always a chaos in the background, what if one interview takes longer than it shouldIJ We would end up giving less time to the next one waiting in the lobby. So, the relaxation has obviously gone.”
Kher also gives credit to the audiences who are educated and have their mind set to what genre they want to watch. “Also, there are numerous sources of entertainment theses days — be it malls, television and digital platforms. Today, cinema has become one of them. But you can always make films like Khosla Ka Ghosla or Ranchi Diaries and hope some people will watch it,” Kher adds.
Adding to it Kaushik says, “lately films like Vicky Donor and Newton have proved that it is the content that really matters. Earlier, typical films would work and independent films would create a buzz once in a blue moon. But now things have changed.
“Also, both actors and filmakers have become fearless. They believe that what they can imagine has a medium to be screened on. Unlike our time which had limited genres — love or revenge. Other movies would be made and hardly anybody knew when they were released.”
The duo started their journey in the film industry together after being a part of the National School of Drama. “Our experience has just started because only now have we understood the nuances of acting,” shares Kher who strongly
believes that their theatre background helped in their survival in the
film industry.
“As friends, we have evolved over the years, being there to back each other during the low points of our career. When either one of us is upset, we always cheer each other up. We understand and respect each other. Working together for more than 30-years..,” shares Kaushik and Kher contradicts “We have known each other since 1975, so its been 42-years.”
“We are a family. Working together and adapting to the various phases of cinema. Now we don’t even act, rather its just a part of us,” adds Kaushik as the interview comes to an end.