Latest news with #AnupamKher


Khaleej Times
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Different, but no less: A tale of autism, family and ambition
It is only an artiste who creates his work through a life experience. Anupam Kher's recently released film Tanvi The Great, that he has co written, produced, directed and acted in, (He has also written his next book Different But No Less based on the making of the film), is inspired by his niece Tanvi, who is in the autistic spectrum. The film's actor Shubhangi Dutt, who plays Tanvi, is a student from his acting school, An Actor Prepares. At a family wedding in Gurugram a few years ago, when the entire Kher clan was dancing, celebrating and having fun, he observed his niece had sauntered off. When he followed her, he caught her immersed, looking at the sky. When asked what she was doing, she said that she was looking at her own world. 'Her words threw me off balance. I realised how much I didn't know her world, ' says Kher. Though he has taught at the Dilkhush Special School and has worked with differently abled children, this thought stayed with him and he decided to make a film around this topic. Kher's first directorial Om Jai Jagadish released in 2002 was a heartwarming story of three brothers in a joint family. Kher had decided then that his second film would have a relevant message combining a cause, family bonds and the love for the nation. 'This film that has actor Pallavi Joshi playing Tanvi's mom, focuses on family bonds, though the main character is autistic,' says Kher. 'For them, we are the odd ones out and not the other way around. Look at most of us - we have become manipulative and mean as a society. In the film industry like everywhere else, you are constantly told how someone else is better than you and you have to keep doing something to be in the news.' Adds Kher, 'I find differently abled people kinder, more compassionate and filled with innocence, a quality that we have lost completely. I think people with the autism spectrum are far more intelligent and better human beings than us and I wanted to bring out that super power' he adds. So, along with his writers Abhishek Dixit and Ankur Suman, he set out to write the story - the story of a girl in the autistic spectrum who wants to join the Indian Army. The Indian Army incidentally, doesn't have recruits from the spectrum. Kher plays her grandfather in the film, someone who is bitter due to the loss of his wife and young son who is martyred. A far cry from Kher's own grandpa who was full of life. He recollects a time in childhood when he asked his granddad how the entire joint family was so happy even if they were poor. ' He had said that, for people who are poor, the cheapest luxury is to be happy and we need to celebrate happiness." Eminent Hollywood actor Robert De Niro attended the film's premiere and Ms Draupadi Murmu, the President of India, sat through the film at a special screening at her official residence, the Rashtrapati Bhavan, lauding the performance. 'We got a standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival as well as in London. Perhaps, people identified with the goodness the film radiates,' says Kher. During the making of the film, the crew was instructed to be calm - as in speak to each other politely and kindly, to create an aura of goodness. ' No harsh words were used or hurried activity that made people impatient and scream. It worked.' So how did the real Tanvi react to the onscreen Tanvi. ' My niece came to the screening. She sang a song too. Usually when you want to hug her, you have to ask for her permission. And she sang Lag Ja Gale … and made us all emotional.' The film was also shown to the Chief of Army and other soldiers and they all admitted that it made them cry. ' For me, that is heartening,' he says. While making the film, Kher decided to write the book. I decided to call it Different But No Less, which is a tagline of the film Tanvi The Great. 'The book is not about storms but about sailing through them, not letting anyone else get affected by your predicament but putting your own faith out there and following the greatest GPS God has gifted us - our heart.' All actors went through workshops conducted by Kher to sensitize them to autism. 'The film is not a blockbuster but it has succeeded in touching hearts. After 40 years of Saaransh (Kher's debut film), I'm getting the same kind of love in this film,' says Kher. 'Thankfully actors survive the long haul, unlike stars.' We agree!


News18
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News18
From Saiyaara To Fantastic 4, What To Watch In Theatres This Week
From heartfelt debuts to high-voltage superhero sagas, here's what's lighting up the big screen this week. If you have been waiting for something exciting to hit the big screens, this week brings a mixed bag of emotions, thrill and drama with 5 new releases lined up across genres. Whether you're in the mood for intense storytelling, family bonding or action-packed scenes, there's something for everyone at the cinemas. Tanvi The Great Directed by Anupam Kher, this heartfelt drama follows the story of Tanvi, a 21-year-old girl on the autism spectrum who dreams of joining the Indian Army. Inspired by her late father's unfulfilled wish, Tanvi sets out to salute the national flag at Siachen. The film is already making noise for its sensitive portrayal and has received international praise at Cannes and other festivals. With performances from Pallavi Joshi and debutante Shubhangi Dutt, this one is an emotional rollercoaster that should not be missed. Saiyaara Ahaan Panday makes his debut in this tender romantic drama that explores love in the face of fading memory. He plays Krish Kapoor, a struggling musician who finds creative and emotional refuge in the poetry of Vaani Batra, a young writer portrayed by Aneet Padda. But their journey takes a heart-wrenching turn when Vaani is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's. The film promises both tears and warmth with music and storytelling that feel close to the heart. Fantastic Four Marvel's Fantastic Four marks the superhero team's official debut in the MCU. Directed by Matt Shakman, the film stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. Set apart from previous versions, this reboot promises a retro-inspired story with multiverse connections, kicking off a bold new era for Marvel. Metro… In Dino Anurag Basu returns to the world of urban relationships with Metro… In Dino, a spiritual successor to his acclaimed Life… In A Metro. The film captures love, confusion and heartbreak as experienced in fast-paced metro cities. Boasting a rich ensemble cast that includes Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Ali Fazal, Pankaj Tripathi, Konkona Sen Sharma, Neena Gupta and Fatima Sana Shaikh, it uses a fresh soundtrack by Pritam to thread the stories together. Maalik Starring Rajkummar Rao in a powerful lead role, Maalik is a socio-political Hindi film that dives deep into the intersections of land, power, and justice in rural India. With its gritty narrative and emotionally layered storytelling, the film paints a haunting yet honest portrait of life on the margins. While it may not be a mainstream blockbuster, its impact lies in its realism and bold storytelling. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Anupam Kher admits to stalking a girl during school days, getting attracted to girls from English medium schools: 'There was a girl who would wear miniskirts...'
Anupam Kher shares his views on love and relationships. He recalls the slower pace of romance in his youth. Kher describes his schoolboy crush and admiration. He believes love was deeper in his generation. Kher attributes modern relationship conflicts to increased independence. He notes the shift in traditional roles. Kher emphasizes women should not tolerate disrespect now. Veteran actor Anupam Kher recently took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, opening up about his views on love, relationships, and how they've evolved over the decades. In a candid chat, Kher not only reflected on the innocence and depth of romance in his youth but also admitted to schoolboy antics like quietly following a girl he admired. Love Took Its Time Back Then Speaking to Raj Shamani, the veteran actor reflected on how relationships were slower and more emotionally rooted in his younger days. Recalling his small-town upbringing, he shared that it could take months just to exchange glances, and even longer to express feelings. He also mentioned his fascination with girls from English-medium schools, drawn to their outgoing nature, especially as a Hindi-medium student himself. A Schoolboy Crush and Quiet Admiration He further admitted that during his school days, he was once so captivated by a girl—known for her stylish appearance and confident demeanor—that he would quietly follow her around, lacking the courage to initiate a conversation. Looking back, he reflected on how love in those days unfolded gradually and felt more enduring. According to him, relationships were built on emotional connection rather than instant gratification, and young people were more inclined to grow into love than rush into it. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Why Old-School Love Felt Deeper When asked which generation experienced love more deeply—his or today's—Kher confidently sided with his own. He believes love in his time was more meaningful because relationships were nurtured slowly, allowing people the space to truly understand each other. In his view, love was seen as a process of discovery, where getting to know both the good and bad in a partner took time, leading to deeper emotional bonds. Modern Independence, New Challenges Anupam also reflected on why modern relationships often face more conflict, attributing it to the rise in independence among both men and women. Citing his parents' 59-year-long marriage, he noted that earlier relationships often had clearly defined roles—his father was the provider, while his mother managed the home. In contrast, today's social structure encourages women to be educated and empowered, which he believes is a positive shift. With both partners equally independent now, he feels it's natural for traditional dynamics to evolve, and women should no longer be expected to tolerate disrespect in relationships.


News18
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Anupam Kher Gets Emotional After Seeing Fans Reactions To Tanvi The Great
Last Updated: The clip, which he posted on social media, captured heartfelt moments of viewers wiping away tears and praising him Anupam Kher's Tanvi The Great has been winning hearts with its inspirational storyline. Recently, he visited the theatre and was visibly moved by audience's reactions. He shared an emotional video compilation of fans reacting to his directorial venture. The clip, which he posted on social media, captured heartfelt moments of viewers wiping away tears, applauding, and expressing their admiration. Taking to his Instagram handle, Anupam Kher shared a video in which he featured audience reaction and also wrote a special note. 'HOPE AND GOOD CRYING: Crying is not always about sadness or a tragedy. It can also be about feeling something good happening on screen! This is exactly what happened when I, our lead playing #Tanvi @shubhangidutt and our co-writer @ankur_chalisa went to meet audiences after the screening of #TanviTheGreat. It was HOUSE FULL," read the caption. Anupam Kher's second directorial venture, Tanvi The Great, after over two decades of directing Om Jai Jagdish, opened at the box office on July 18. The heartfelt movie struggled to make an impact on Friday. According to the same report by the industry tracker, Tanvi The Great had an overall 14.41 per cent Hindi occupancy on its opening day. While the highest occupancy was observed during the night shows at about 24.47 per cent, it was interestingly followed by the morning shows at 13.29 per cent. Next were the evening shows at approximately 11.93 per cent and the lowest occupancy was recorded during the afternoon shows at around 7.93 per cent. According to the same report by the industry tracker, Tanvi The Great had an overall 14.41 per cent Hindi occupancy on its opening day. While the highest occupancy was observed during the night shows at about 24.47 per cent, it was interestingly followed by the morning shows at 13.29 per cent. Next were the evening shows at approximately 11.93 per cent and the lowest occupancy was recorded during the afternoon shows at around 7.93 per cent. Written and directed by Anupam Kher, Tanvi The Great stars the actor as Colonel Pratap Raina. Besides him, the movie features Shubhangi Dutt as the titular character, Iain Glen as Michael Simmons, Boman Irani as Raja Sahab, and Jackie Shroff as Brigadier Joshi, Arvind Swami as Major Srinivasan, Pallavi Joshi as Vidya Raina, Karan Tacker as Captain Samar Raina, Nassar as Brigadier KN Rao and Joanna Ashka as Joanna Ciosek. The film revolves around Tanvi Raina, a 21-year-old woman with autism spectrum disorder. She lives with her mother, Vidya Raina and grandfather, Colonel Pratap Raina. After she learns about her deceased Indian Army father's dream to salute the flag at Siachen Glacier, Tanvi embarks on a journey to fulfil the wish. Despite a path filled with all sorts of hardships, Tanvi becomes determined and joins the army. What happens next is inspirational to audiences. First Published: July 20, 2025, 15:54 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


Indian Express
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Anupam Kher admits to stalking a girl during school days; weighs in on rising conflicts in modern relationships: ‘Why should girls tolerate…'
Veteran actor Anupam Kher recently opened up about his views on love, reflecting on how relationships during his younger days were, in his opinion, more meaningful compared to those in the current era. During the conversation, Anupam also candidly admitted to having stalked a girl during his school days and recalled how, coming from a small town, he was especially attracted to girls who studied in English-medium schools. Speaking to Raj Shamani about how relationships differed in his younger days compared to today, he said, 'I grew up in a small town there. We would take six months to look at each other, and after that, it would take three months to tell the person that you like them. Also, I was from a Hindi medium school, and I liked girls from the English medium school as there was a little outgoingness about them.' Admitting to stalking a girl during his school days because he didn't have the courage to speak to her, he said, 'There was a girl who would wear miniskirts at that time, and she had a pout. I used to just walk behind her with my best friend. We are talking about the time when everything took time and everything lasted for a longer time. We did not have much knowledge about love. We used to rise in love instead of falling in love.' When asked about which kind of love was better — his generation's or the current one — he firmly stated that the love he and his peers experienced was 'much better.' Explaining why, he said, 'Because I think relationships should be nurtured, and you should take your own time to discover a relationship. It's a discovery. Without passing judgment, there are a lot of people who were madly in love at this time also. But there was time to discover other people, and it took time to get to know each other's bad qualities.' Anupam also shared his thoughts on why conflicts are more common in relationships today, pointing to the rise in independence among both men and women. He said, 'Both of them are independent and rightfully so.' Using his parents' marriage as an example, he explained that they were married for 59 years and had clearly defined roles — his father was the breadwinner, and his mother managed the household. He added, 'Roles were divided back then and today because of the social structure, and rightfully so, girls are educated and empowered. Why should they take any kind of nonsense from a boy?'