Anupam Kher Reveals Jackie Shroff, Boman Irani Didn't Charge Fees for Tanvi The Great
Anupam Kher's film Tanvi – The Great, starring Shubhangi Dutt, had a modest box office opening but impressed at international festivals. Kher crowd-funded the project.
Anupam Kher's passion project Tanvi – The Great may not have made a mark at the box office, but it continues to draw attention. The film, which stars debutante Shubhangi Dutt and released in Indian cinemas on July 18, 2025, had a modest opening, collecting around Rs 2 crore in its first five days. Despite its underwhelming commercial response, largely attributed to strong competition from Mohit Suri's Saiyaara, Kher's film had already impressed audiences at international film festivals.
In a recent interview with Republic, Kher opened up about the challenges he faced during production. The actor-director revealed that the film's original financer backed out just a month before shooting was scheduled to begin. 'When we made the budget, it came to around Rs 50 crore. There was a gentleman who had agreed to provide 50 percent of the funding, which was a huge amount. Lansdowne was finalised, the Army came on board, everything was lined up. But just a month before the shoot, I was told they couldn't finance the film," he explained.
Determined to not abandon the project, Kher turned to his personal network for help. 'I called up a few friends of mine in the US and India. We now have 10 co-producers on this film. It's basically crowd-funded," he said, noting that many of the contributors were doctors, bankers, and businessmen who had no links to the film industry. 'I told them I would return it after the release, but none of them have asked for it," he added.
What's more, several prominent cast members rallied behind Kher in a remarkable show of solidarity. 'All four of my main cast members decided not to take money from me until I had it. Arvind Swamy, Jackie Shroff, Pallavi Joshi, and Boman Irani, I went to them and explained the situation. I said, 'I will pay you,' and they replied, 'Did we ask for it?'"
Reflecting on the outcome, Kher said, 'It has not delivered earth-shattering collections or anything… Unfortunately, in the last 10 years, cinema has become so business-oriented that if a film doesn't do well commercially, we assume it's not a great film… I'm not speaking defensively. I'm also a part of the business world."
Meanwhile, after being granted tax-free status in Madhya Pradesh, Anupam Kher's directorial Tanvi The Great has now been declared tax-free in Delhi as well. The announcement was made by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who took to social media to share the development and express her appreciation for the film's powerful messaging.
The film, directed by veteran actor Anupam Kher, follows the journey of Tanvi, a specially-abled girl with big dreams and a relentless spirit. Through her story, the film aims to spark conversations around inclusivity, perseverance, and national pride.
Tanvi The Great boasts a stellar ensemble cast, featuring acclaimed actors such as Jackie Shroff, Arvind Swami, Boman Irani, Pallavi Joshi, Karan Tacker, and Nasser. Leading the project is Anupam Kher, who not only directs but also stars in the film, alongside Scottish actor Iain Glen, best known for his role in Game of Thrones.
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