Renowned actor and Anupam Kher said acting is not just an art of the stage or the camera, but a discipline of deeply observing and experiencing life.
The a Padma Bhushan awardee was speaking after inaugurating the Banaras Literature Festival-4 on Friday at Hotel Taj in Nadesar, by lighting the ceremonial lamp. With this an extraordinary confluence of creation, memory, and dedication descended upon the literary atmosphere of Kashi.
Kher was deeply moved by the theatrical performance presented by school children during the inaugural session. Smiling, he said the performance took him straight back to his school days. Recounting a memory of his first play, he shared that he was chosen for the role of Prithviraj Chauhan, while the role of Jaichand went to Nandu, the milkman’s son. “My only ‘qualification’ for being chosen was that I was fair and thin,” he said, recalling with laughter the innocent logic that laid the first stepping stone of his acting career.
He also narrated an interesting anecdote from that play, in which his dialogue was — “Go away, go away, don’t talk nonsense”— which he had to say three times, and each time Jaichand was supposed to fall. Nandu fell twice, but before he could fall the third time, his father’s voice boomed from the audience — “If you fall now, don’t come back home.”
And then what happened — the play unexpectedly took a new turn, and Nandu, playing Jaichand, picked up Anupam Kher, playing Prithviraj Chauhan, and threw him straight into the audience. The entire auditorium erupted in laughter as he recounted this anecdote.
Addressing the children, Anupam Kher said hard work, discipline, and continuous practice, more than talent, are what shape an artist. Acting is not just an art of the stage or the camera, but a discipline of deeply observing and experiencing life. Anupam Kher had a heartfelt interaction with the children, answered their questions, and also took photographs with them as a memento.
BLF President Deepak Madhok said that there could be no more suitable place than Kashi for such event. Here, there is a continuous flow of religion, spirituality, culture, traditions, and Sanskrit.
Madhok said that the Banaras Literature Festival is a result of organized teamwork. This year, the festival features 167 celebrities. Several programs are running simultaneously. He urged the hundreds of culture and art enthusiasts present in the auditorium to witness the event.
Brijesh Singh, the secretary of BLF, highlighted the concept of the festival. He said that it is a reflection of the ever-joyful culture of Banaras. With the immense blessings of Baba Kashi Vishwanath and Maa Annapurna, this festival is being grandly organized for the fourth consecutive year. It includes performances from 13 countries and attracts audiences from more than 50 countries. He said that it is estimated that approximately 100,000 people will witness the festival by its conclusion on February 1.