Anupam Kher: “I Feel Fitter At 64 Than I did At 40”

Actor-thinker-writer-teacher Anupam Kher who turned  64  on March 7, spent  his birthday away from home.

“I am  in the US shooting for  the American serial  New Amsterdam. I’ve been here  for  two months now ,with another month  to go. Of course I  miss home.I miss  my  mother the  most, ” says  Anupam who  is working round-the-clock to finish his series in  the US—and  intermittently dining with his  Hollywood buddies  Robert deNiro,Armie Hammer  etc—before he  returns home.

“There’s  a whole  avalanche  of  commitments waiting for my attention.And  no, it doesn’t make me weary,just more charged-up to  do more  work. I believe  24 hours in  a day is  not enough for  what  I  want  to do. But I also believe any and every thing can be  done  in  those  24 hours.Saying there isn’t enough time  is   just  an excuse.  You can  make time for anything that  you want to do,” says  Anupam who  has  several  film projects  on the  anvil.

At some  point Anupam also wants  to  write  more  motivational  books.But no politics,

Which  role does  he enjoy the  most? “I am first and  foremost an actor.  But I am  a RESPONSIBLE  actor. I don’t believe  my work is  over  once  I finish my  shot. No!  I have  a voice and  I must use  it to make a  difference to  society.  You cannot be empowered  and  not  use  that  power  to help those who are not empowered.”

Anupam’s favourite roles?  “Saaraansh , of course. 35 years  ago  I played the  age that  I am now . I am grateful to the great  Sanjeev  Kumar  for  opting out of  that project.Because of him I  got to do  one of  the most brilliantly written characters  at the beginning  of  my career. There are many  favourites.I love all the roles  that I’ve played including those that got me flak. I am what I am today because of all the  risks that  I’ve taken.I am grateful  for the mistakes  that I’ve made. They’ve helped me  better myself.”

Formula  for  good living? “Stay  fit,eat  well, sleep  enough hours…Lead  a disciplined  life.  That doesn’t mean  you  have to be  a saint.  Do  everything you want to, but in  moderation.I feel  more energized and  enthusiastic  about life at  64 than  I did  at 24.”