Goa: Day 4 of the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) was marked by an inspiring masterclass delivered by veteran actor Anupam Kher at Kala Academy, Goa. Titled The Power of Failure, the session captivated students and delegates with the actor’s remarkable life journey, infused with wit, wisdom, and resilience.
Kher opened the session with a thought-provoking statement: “I think I am the success story of my own failures.” Over the next hour, he shared personal anecdotes, offering profound insights into the challenges and triumphs of his illustrious career.
Kher began by painting a vivid picture of his early life in Shimla, where his joint family of 14 lived in a single room. Despite their financial struggles, happiness was abundant. “When people are too poor, the cheapest thing to them becomes happiness,” he quoted his grandfather.
He recounted his first acting experience in a school play in Class 5, where failure became a powerful teacher. “Failure is an event, never a person,” his father had told him after a disappointing performance. This lesson, Kher emphasized, became the cornerstone of his resilience.
After winning a Gold Medal from the National School of Drama (NSD), Kher arrived in Mumbai confident of immediate success. However, the city tested him harshly, forcing him to live at Bandra East Railway Station for 27 days.
His fortunes changed when he was cast in Saaransh (1984), a role that catapulted him into the spotlight. Reflecting on this milestone, Kher fondly recalled his first visit to IFFI in Delhi for the film. “It’s been 40 years since my first IFFI visit, and it feels surreal to share my journey here today,” he said.
Kher spoke candidly about the challenges that followed his early success, from battling facial paralysis during the filming of Hum Aapke Hain Koun to facing bankruptcy in 2004. Through every trial, he leaned on the life lessons imparted by his father and grandfather, maintaining an unwavering determination to rise again.
With his signature charm and magnetic storytelling, the 68-year-old actor left the audience enthralled, imparting a singular life mantra: NEVER GIVE UP. His journey, filled with highs and lows, resonated deeply, offering a powerful reminder of the resilience required to navigate life’s challenges.
As the masterclass concluded, Kher’s enduring message of hope and perseverance left a lasting impression on the packed audience, solidifying his status not just as one of Indian cinema’s finest actors, but also as an inspiring storyteller of life’s indomitable spirit.