Our cinema has evolved in last 60 years because we have made people happy through our films. The main purpose of our storyline is to spread happiness. Our cinema has an emotional connect.
— Anupam Kher
People tend to scare you pointing out your shortfalls. If you voluntarily admit your faults, then people won't have anything to point out.
Our school not only makes you an actor, it makes you understand who you actually are as well... it gives you discipline and punctuality. It also teaches you a way of life.
Birthdays are meant for special occasions.
I know that some of the characters I played were trash. But then, I chose to take up those roles, as I enjoyed doing them.
My first British film was Gurinder Chadha's 'Bend It Like Beckham,' which was a huge international success.
I approach every role with the same commitment because I'm being paid for it. To not do so would be unethical.
I still feel I belong to the theatre. There is nothing more challenging and exciting for an actor than performing before a live audience. The stage is the real testing ground for an actor.
I am aware that as an actor, I can blame others for the failure of a film, the director, the script, choice of co-stars, timing of the release and so on. But now, as the director, I will have to shoulder all the blame.
After working with Woody Allen, sharing screen space with De Niro was a dream come true.
I think if you laugh at your troubles and tell the whole world what went wrong, you can't be frightened by anything.
I think in my mother tongue. That's Hindi.
You may be in a medical or engineering college, but not all will stand first in class. It depends on who studies the most.
It's your own fear of failure that stops you from doing things.
I've always been the most vocal person socially about things that I feel are important.
I'm very happy doing what I'm doing; I don't think I'm prepared to devote my time to politics. When I am, I'd like to give it 100%. I'm not in the frame of mind, and I'm too greedy an actor to do that.
One time I nearly experienced failure was when I was acting in 'Hum Aapke Hain Kaun' in 1994. One day, I woke up and found that part of my face was paralysed.
I was failed in all other aspects of filmmaking and was completely bankrupt because my dreams were higher than realities. So I started my acting school in a small room with 12 students to prepare future actors and actresses.
Harper Collins gave me a letter of intent saying that they want me to pen down my autobiography. When I was recollecting the incidents of my life for that, I selected only those incidents which were turning points in my life. I staged it instead of writing it.
In day-to-day life, our brain sends lots of signals. In acting, there are no signals. You have to believe in what you are trying to portray.
It's important for couples to be friends first and to respect each other as individuals.
I discovered that the world frightens you with your shortcomings, but if you do not worry about it, you are liberated.
My first Hindi film as a leading man was Mahesh Bhatt's 'Saaransh,' which immediately established me as someone who knows the craft.
I started doing motivational tours. I've seen all kinds of people, from the CEOs to the lowest executive, opening up to their fears. We don't introspect as much as we should.
An actor is only a part of the film, not the whole, and very often, he is moulded by the director. That is why a good director can make so much difference to a film.
I speak for Kashmiri pundits because injustice has been done to them, and the political discourse doesn't give them enough importance.
I'm looking to do an honest job, and I don't have any Indian talk show as a reference point. I'm not looking down on them, but I want to do what Oprah did.
I don't think that I will say that we are less talented in Bollywood, but our functioning is different. We cater to a different kind of audience.
I've done 480-odd films, have my own acting school, won awards, etc. and now host a successful TV chat show - what else can I ask for? Yes, of course, every journey has its ups and downs, but that's part of life.
We only see the glamour side of stars but not how they've achieved it.
I have played 50 different kinds of fathers and villains. Only mediocre actors play the part the same way.
Actors in the film industry are usually wary of expressing their opinions on the issues of the day, politics especially.
I was neither good in sports nor at studies, but I always wanted to stand out and be noticed.
I had spent many days hungry; had slept on railway stations at times because I did not have money to pay for a hotel room... there were moments when I felt I had compromised my dignity as a human being and as an actor.
I would like congratulate everyone who was a part of 'Life of Pi.'
Success is boring... failure is exciting and more entertaining.
Practice makes an actor excel. It is like cycling and motor driving. It is an art, which can be learnt and practised.
There are many brilliant actors, including our own Dilip Kumar, but Robert de Niro is something else.
'Silver Linings' has proved a golden opportunity for me.
Every time I've crossed to a new level of film acting, the film has been a breakthrough project.
You are never too old for applause. What's satisfying is that I'm being appreciated for what I was trained for.
I have always believed that directing a film is like telling a story. You have to tell it well so that it is appreciated.
As for my stand, I think it has become difficult in our country to be a Hindu and a liberal at the same time.
If my life can inspire people, then a television show where guests talk about their challenges and what makes them unique would work.
Drama school, you know, I own an acting school, Actor Prepares.
In every role that I do - whether I'm a teacher, actor or mentor - I do it with total dedication and as much honesty as I feel is required because there's no alternative to honesty and hard work.
I cannot take away the fact I am a small-town boy from India, from a lower-middle class family, and was actually standing in front of De Niro - not on an equal level, but as an actor, on the same pedestal.
In India, film sets are like a family atmosphere.
I'm not a cribber, or someone who criticises. People who criticise are not doers. I'm a doer.
I was able to overcome my failures because I was always confident of my abilities and was sure I could achieve what I had set out for.
