Anupam Kher marks 41 years in cinema, recalls debut with 'Saaransh'
Bollywood actore Anupam Kher has completed forty-one years in Indian cinema. The actor made his big-screen debut on May 25, 1984, with Mahesh Bhatt's Saaransh, where he portrayed a 65-year-old grieving father at the young age of 28.
Kher took to Instagram to share a video reminiscing about his journey in the film industry, discussing his struggles, and the lasting impact of Saaransh, one of Indian cinema's acclaimed dramas.
"I came to Mumbai on 3rd June, 1981, after my drama school, the National School of Drama. Then I was in Lucknow, teaching. Then I searched for work for 3 years, and then Mr. Bhatt gave me Saaransh," Kher said.
"And it's been 41 years... What a beautiful journey it has been. What a thankful journey. There have been ups and downs in my journey, but it's been very good. I have made at least 544 or 545 films," he said.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Anupam Kher (@anupampkher)
Saaransh revolves around an elderly couple trying to cope with the death of their son in Mumbai. Anupam Kher played BV Pradhan, while Rohini Hattangadi portrayed his wife. The film also featured Soni Razdan, Madan Jain, Nilu Phule, and Suhas Bhalekar.
Meanwhile, Kher will next be seen in his directorial Tanvi The Great. With this, the actor has returned to the director's chair after over two decades. The movie was screened recently at the Cannes Film Festival last week and received a warm response from the international audience.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
4 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
From Madinah to Mumbai: Dubai resident collaborates with Bollywood singer Shaan
Dubai-based poet Amaan Haider Zaidi is the lyricist of Shaan's debut Ghazal album which will be shared with music lovers across digital platforms on the auspicious day of Eid. From reluctantly reciting his Urdu poems for his colleagues on the office bus in the UAE to launching his first ghazal album with celebrated Indian singer Shaan in Mumbai, the incredible turnaround in Amaan Haider Zaidi's life seems like the script of a timeless Bollywood classic. Dubai-based poet Haider, who writes under the pen name Haider Amaan Haider, is the lyricist of Shaan's debut Ghazal album, Ghazal Ho Gayi, which was launched by Saregama, India's oldest music label, at the singer's Mumbai residence on May 4. 'The album has six ghazals and they will be released across digital platforms like YouTube and Spotify tomorrow (May 6),' Haider told the Khaleej Times over the phone from Mumbai. Haider, who is now the head of corporate affairs at VFS Global in Dubai, only discovered his flair for poetry in 2014 after a personal setback. 'I was working for RAK Bank those days. Something happened in my life which hit me so hard that I had to get help from a psychiatrist. There were so many things that came to my mind during that phase and I began to jot down some of my thoughts,' he recalled. Those thoughts soon translated into poetry that first resonated with his former RAK Bank colleagues before capturing the hearts of international cricketers, Indian diplomats in the UAE, acclaimed film director Shekhar Kapoor and Shaan, one of the finest singers in Bollywood music. 'It's amazing how I met Shaan. He came for the Dubai Expo where I was working at the Indian Pavilion. When I was introduced to him, I presented him a copy of my poetry book, Apni Amaan Main Rekhna,' Haider said. About a year later, Shaan called him from Mumbai, asking his permission to take six of his poems from the book for a ghazal album. 'I could not believe Shaan wanted me to be his lyricist. He loved my poems. I think what appealed to him was the simplicity in my writing. You know, Shaan is a very big celebrity in India, but he is also a very simple human being. His voice has taken my poetry to a different level,' Haider said. Having an album launched in Mumbai seems a bit surreal for the 44-year-old Haider, a late bloomer in the world of poetry. 'This is a dream for me. I cannot believe this is happening in my life. But if you ask my friends, I am still the same person who came from a very small village in Uttar Pradesh (India),' he said. 'I think it's all because of the prayers of my parents, my sisters and Allah's blessing.' For a man who has captivated audiences at symposiums in the US, UK, Australia, Kuwait, India, Afghanistan and the UAE, Haider's first experience of reciting his poetry was at the Prohet's Mosque in Madinah. 'I will never forget that day. I was on a pilgrimage and there was an event for Prophet Muhammad's birthday (PBUH), so I got an opportunity to recite my poems,' he said. 'As I said, everything happens for a reason. Now Shaan has turned my poems into Ghazals for his first album in the genre. The six ghazals will be shared with music lovers across digital platforms on the auspicious day of Eid (Friday). It's a big blessing in my life.'
Khaleej Times
5 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE's Adbhut is making amazing music that belongs to everyone
In a world that often defines people by their limitations, Adbhut — meaning 'amazing' in Hindi — flips the narrative. Formed in early 2023, this groundbreaking band of young adults of determination is redefining what it means to be a musician, a performer, and a changemaker. They're not just playing music — they're playing with purpose, proving that talent knows no bounds. The spark behind this quiet but powerful movement came from Neena Raina, a certified neuro-linguistic programming coach, hypnotherapist, inclusion advocate, and mother determined to create space for her son Varun's musical gift to shine. The result is Adbhut — not a novelty act, but a bold statement: art belongs to everyone. 'Adbhut isn't about sympathy,' Neena says. 'It's about building livelihoods, dignity, and a future where inclusion is the norm — not the exception.' Each member of Adbhut brings their own melody to this extraordinary symphony: Varun Raina's musical journey is a story of determination. Diagnosed with autism and non-verbal until age 11, Varun found his voice in music long before he could express it in words. Today, his deep love for both Indian classical and Western music is reflected in his rich vocal performances. A graduate in Hindustani classical music from Prayag University, Allahabad, and a certified vocalist under the ABRSM curriculum, he has performed across the UAE and continues to win hearts with every note. He has also done three years of professional film acting courses. 'Music makes me feel free,' says Varun, now 25. 'It's how I tell the world who I am.' Lead drummer Raihan Mohammed Aslam showed his interest in music by tapping to any song from as early as two. He was gifted his first drum set by his cousin Naeem—and the rest is history. He began formal training with Mr David Kinyanjui at Melodica Music School and later became part of the school band. He rose to prominence after being placed second in a competition against 120 neurotypical children. Now 18, Raihan is pursuing a BTEC in Business from CIS Dubai and recently passed Grade 7 Drums from Trinity College London with distinction. His parents, Aslam and Zameera, have been his constant pillars of support. 'His rhythm is his voice,' they state in unison. 'And now, the world is finally listening.' Diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and other learning difficulties, keyboardist Rashan David's musical potential emerged early. Around age five, his school teachers noticed his keen interest in music during lab sessions and encouraged his parents to explore it further. A small keyboard and a dedicated teacher set him on a lifelong path of musical discovery. Despite challenges in mainstream schooling, Rashan persevered. He recently completed a degree in Business Management with Data Analytics and has over 11 years of formal music training, including advanced piano studies. 'Music helped Rashan focus,' says his father David. 'It gave him structure, joy, and a sense of identity.' Aisiri Shetty, the band's powerhouse female singer, has her base in Carnatic music. Whether harmonising with Varun or commanding solos, her voice is both grounding and transcendent—proof that talent knows no bounds. 'She first sang on stage when she was 10. She had never performed as a singer before. When the opportunity came, she stepped up with incredible confidence. We were so nervous, our hearts were pounding — but she showed no fear. That performance changed everything. It gave me confidence in her. She showed me she could do more than I ever expected and that was the beginning,' says her father Roshan Shetty. For Manonmani, the long drive from Abu Dhabi is a small effort compared to the joy of seeing her son, Hari Niranjan, thrive. A Grade 11 CBSE student at Asian International Private School, Al Dhanna, Hari showed early sensitivity to sound, which blossomed into a deep love for music. What began as a quiet connection became a powerful form of expression and confidence. During the pandemic, he taught himself to play the flute recorder through YouTube tutorials. Today, he's a dedicated member of Adbhut, the UAE's first inclusive music band. 'For Hari, it's not just about performing—it's about belonging and being heard,' says Manonmani. 'Watching him grow into a confident, joyful young man has been the most rewarding experience of my life.' Backed by a village Since its inception, Adbhut has performed at festivals, cultural programmes, and corporate events across the UAE—including standout moments at the Museum of the Future and UAE's Got Talent. Each performance is not just a musical showcase, but a celebration of ability, diversity, and resilience. Behind Adbhut's success lies a dedicated community of mentors, parents, educators, and volunteers. People like Sowmya Krishnamachari, a seasoned vocalist and event organiser, have played an instrumental role in shaping the band's musical direction. With her understanding of both music and special needs, she helps bridge the gap between talent and opportunity — selecting songs, arranging practices, and nurturing the group's cohesion. Having organised inclusive events like Choti Si Aasha at AR Rahman's Firdaus Studio in Expo city, Sowmya now plays a pivotal role in identifying talent, connecting the dots, and polishing these performers for the stage. 'She understands their capabilities and brings out their best,' shares Neena. 'She's not just a mentor — she's a bridge.' Also vital are the parents, many of whom invest their own time, money, and energy in organizing rehearsals, booking jam studios and ensuring the group meets weekly, either in person or online. Being amazing Adbhut is more than music. It is inclusion in action. 'We are not about charity. We are about change,' Neena explains. 'These young adults are professionals in their own right. With the right support, they can build livelihoods through music. We need society to listen not just with their ears, but with their hearts. These young adults have something important to say—through rhythm, melody, and passion.'
Khaleej Times
9 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Lara Dutta pens emotional note as she mourns dad's demise
A few days after the demise of her father LK Dutta, Bollywood actor Lara Dutta Bhupathi on Wednesday took to Instagram and penned down an emotional note. In her post, she talked about how she learnt to "debate, argue, negotiate, reason and dazzle" from her father. "My wonderful, brave, fighter of a father, went quietly into the good night on the 31st of May...... He fought long and hard against an illness that debilitated him over the last few months.... He bore pain with the stoicism of a battle worn soldier and displayed a courage and willingness to beat the odds, that sometimes defied all logic..... He rewrote any concept I had of the body breaking down or succumbing to an inevitable moments with my father are etched into my bones forever..... my dad hoisting a 3 year old me up on his shoulders to look at the stars at night and call out all the constellations...... the feet that I stood on as a five year old to learn to hand that I held as I scampered as fast as I could beside him to match his stride as we walked through eucalyptus groves and planned how I would study under Carl Sagan..... the lap I sat on while I air played an imaginary piano to the sound of his favourite Richard Clayderman tape," she wrote. "I learnt to be brave, I learnt to be fearless, I learnt to stand up for myself and for others, I learnt to tell a good joke, even at my own expense..... I learnt to try and be selfless.... I learnt it all from him.....I also know that this is not the end..... whether physically here or not, he and I are somewhere, on some plane, in some dimension, in some alternate reality, dancing a waltz together, with my hand in his .I carry your heart dad...... I carry it in my heart." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lara Dutta Bhupathi (@larabhupathi) Lara Dutta's father, retired wing commander LK Dutta, breathed his last on May 31.
