“Those Who Are Ripping My Performance Apart Have A Bigger Political Agenda Than Me,” Says Anupam Kher
Savage reviews notwithstanding The Accidental Prime Minister, the controversial Manmohan Singh bio-pic, has opened to surprisingly satisfactory crowds.
Some critics have ripped into the film ferociously.
Anupam who was getting ready for a 3-month trip abroad on Saturday morning said he couldn’t care less about the adverse reviews. “No matter what you do there will be people trying to pull you down. Criticism was always a favourite national pastime. Now film criticism has also become a big source of self-entertainment for Indians.I don’t take criticism or the film criticism to heart. Finally it is just one man or woman’s opinion. And I’ve seen enough glowing and glowering reviews in my career to take both in my stride.”
What has surprised Anupam quite a bit is the scathing criticism leveled at his portrayal of Manmohan Singh. “It seems some critics have a much larger than political agenda than what I am supposed to have. The comments are uncalled –for and irrelevant. I wanted to portray Dr Manmohan Singh with the dignity and grace that he deserves. And I think I’ve succeeded in that.Grant me at least that bit of experience and wisdom as actor.”
Anupam now flies off to other challenges. “I am going to be in the US for the next three months shooting for the new season of the series New Amsterdam . I play one of the leads an Indian doctor named Vijay Kapoor. It is one of the most popular serials played across the world. I am setting aside my next three months fully to the series, with no other digressions.”
Anupam’s closing thoughts on the cynical reviews of The Accidental Prime Minister? “We set out to tell the story of an unsung hero, a politician who was far less political than the job required him to be. The film is based on a book written by Dr Singh’s political advisor. But it is not a bio-pic on Dr Singh. It depicts ten crucial years in the life of India’s politics.You may not think much of the film. But do not belittle the intelligence of the country’s moviegoing audience.”
How does Anupam explain the encouraging opening in spite of some poor reviews?
He quips, “How do you explain the poor opening of so many film in spite of the glowing reviews? Indians are a politically savvy people. The audiences likes to know the truth about political figures , specially someone as reclusive as Dr Manmohan Singh.”
