Actor Anupam Kher talks about avoiding stardom burden and loneliness

Stardom and Normal Life

Actor Anupam Kher states that he does not carry the burden of stardom on his shoulders because doing so would make him lonely. The 71-year-old actor recently returned to theatre after a gap of a few years with the play 'Jaane Pehchaane Anjaane'. The production blends humour and music to explore themes of loneliness and relationships.

Touring North America

Kher and his troupe completed a 45-day tour across different cities in the US and Canada, earning appreciation from audiences. He told PTI during a script reading session with director Gajendra Ahire that he avoids living in an ivory tower and prefers a normal life. The play is his first experiment with staging a musical.

Play Details and Cast

Written and directed by Gajendra Ahire, the play also marks Swaroop Sampat's return to theatre after nearly two decades. The production was presented in the US by Houston-based Star Promotion Inc, run by Indian-American Rajendra Singh. Over a four-decade career, Kher has acted in over 540 movies and performed in previous plays like 'Saalgirah', 'Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai', and 'Mera Woh Matlab Nahi Tha'.

Modern Loneliness

'Jaane Pehchaane Anjaane' looks at human relationships in a modern middle-class neighbourhood, bringing together a widow, a widower, a young paying guest, and a woman dealing with mid-life separation across three generations. Kher noted that mobile phones and internet technology have led to a loneliness epidemic where emojis have replaced smiles and hugs.

Context

Anupam Kher is a veteran Indian film and stage actor known for his extensive work in cinema and theatre over several decades. Travelling theatre tours by popular film actors often help connect with the Indian diaspora living abroad through relatable cultural stories.