Midnight's Children to premiere at Kerala film fest

Deepa Mehta's "Midnight's Children" is set to be premiered at International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) Dec 10.

The film is an adaptation of Salman Rushdie's novel of the same name and features Satya Bhabha, Siddharth, Ronit Roy, Rahul Bose, Anupam Kher, Darsheel Safary, Soha Ali Khan and Shabana Azmi.

"Salman Rushdie has often said that his novel is his love letter to India. I hope my film reflects that sentiment. In its essence the movie is about the search for a home, an identity and a family. A quest that is universal and familiar to us all," Mehta said in a statement.

"We are thrilled that 'Midnight's Children' screening is going to be at the International Film Festival of Kerala. A festival known for its love of cinema and lack of political bias," she added.

The film has received wide acclaim at the Telluride Film Festival and Toronto International film festivals. It is being distributed in India by PVR Pictures and is slated for an early 2013.

"Being invited to the premiere at IFFK is a big honour. Deepa is an exceptionally brave filmmaker and 'Midnight's Children' is a very special gem from her. We are absolutely delighted to be distributing the film in India," said Kamal Gianchandani, president, PVR Pictures.

International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) will be held Dec 7-14 in Thiruvananthapuram.

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Anupam Kher's niece Vrinda to make her Bollywood debut

Apart from Anupam Kher who entered the Hindi film industry 30 years ago, his wife and son too have been part of the industry

Now we hear that the senior actor's niece is all set to take her first steps in Bollywood.

Vrinda is Kher's younger brother's daughter. Word is that she has just signed a comedy film to be directed by Ravi Rai. The Khers and Rai have known each other for the longest time.

A source says, Vrinda was asked to appear for an audition along with several other aspiring actors. It took the makers nearly three months to finally give her the green signal.

Sources also state that not once did uncle Anupam give her any special recommendation.

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Anupam among five most talented actors in Asia

Actor Anupam Kher is on cloud nine after making it to the list of five best actors in Asia by an international magazine.

"Happy to share. Hollywood Reporter in its latest issue has listed me among the five best actors in Asia. I am the only Indian. Jai Ho!, " the 57-year-old tweeted Saturday night.

"Other four actors are - Li BingBing (China), Lee Byung-Hun (South Korea), Iko Uwais (Thailand) and Aaron Kwok (Hong Kong), " he wrote.

Anupam, who made his acting debut with 1982 Hindi movie "Aagman", hogged the limelight with the 1984 film "Saaransh", where at the age of 28 he played a retired man who loses his son. He did that role with such conviction that people still rave about his performance. It was followed by off-beat hits like "Daddy", "Janam", and "Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara".

He also did commercial films "Karma", "Darr", "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge", "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai", and "Veer-Zaara".

It's not Bollywood, the actor also received Hollywood's attention for his supporting role of psychiatrist in David O. Russell's "Silver Linings Playbook", which also stars Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Niro.

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Anupam's book to be published in Korean

Bollywood actor Anupam Kher's motivational book "The Best Thing About You Is You" will be published in Korean language.

"My publisher informs me that my book, 'The Best Thing About You Is You', will be published in Korean language. Jai Ho," tweeted the 57-year-old.

The book, published by Hay House, is about welcoming changes and adapting to circumstances for a happy and satisfied life.

The actor recently gifted a copy of the book to Oscar-winning filmmaker Ang Lee, who was in India to promote his forthcoming release "Life Of Pi".

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Anupam Kher gifts his book to Ang Lee

Bollywood actor Anupam Kher gifted a copy of his book "The Best Thing About You Is You" to Oscar-winning filmmaker Ang Lee, who is currently in the country to promote his movie "Life Of Pi".

"In Mumbai. Met Ang Lee, presented him a copy of 'The Best Thing About You Is You'. Wished him great luck for 'Life Of Pi', " tweeted Anupam, along with a picture of himself with Lee.

Lee's "Life Of Pi", based on Canadian author Yann Martel's Booker Prize winning eponymous novel, has a strong India connect.

It follows the journey of an Indian boy from Pondicherry who survives 227 days after a shipwreck drifting in a boat in the Pacific Ocean with a tiger. The movie's shooting began in India with a two-week schedule in March 2011. It was shot in Pondicherry, followed by Munnar.

The film, which features 19-year-old Delhi boy Suraj Sharma as young Pi, will be released in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu Nov 21. It also stars Irrfan Khan and Tabu.

"Life Of Pi" will be the inaugural film at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), starting Nov 20 in Goa.

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Anupam mistaken for driver!

Anupam Kher was in for a surprise when an elderly Briton mistook him for a driver of a classic black Bentley.

"Was standing next to this car. An elderly Britisher asked if I was the driver. Before I could reply, he added, 'Lucky you'," tweeted Anupam.

The veteran actor is currently in Britain, shooting for "Yamla Pagla Deewana 2".

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Anupam begins Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 shoot

Actor Anupam Kher has begun shooting for "Yamla Pagla Deewana 2" in London, and is excited about working with the three Deols - Dharmendra, Sunny and Bobby.

"Landed in London. Traveling to Leicester now. It is cold. Shooting of 'Yamla Pagla Deewana 2' starts tomorrow morning. I think I've not slept for ages, " Anupam tweeted.

Earlier, he had tweeted: "On my way to London for 'Yamla Pagla Deewana 2'. Looking forward to joining the Deols once again."

Anupam played a key role in the first instalment of the romantic comedy, which released in 2011. The sequel is being directed by Sangeeth Sivan.

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I'm excited about working with Sikander: Anupam Kher

Veteran actor Anupam Kher is teaming up with his son Sikander on the big screen for Chandan Arora's new film, and says he is kicked about working with him.

"It is a brilliant script that we are working on. But unfortunately, there is only this much I can reveal about the film as of now, " Anupam told.

Sikander made his Bollywood debut with "Woodstock Villa" in 2008. He went on to do films like "Summer 2007", "Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey" and "Players", but none could rock the box office.

Is Anupam excited to work with Sikander?

"Yes, absolutely! I am looking forward to work with him. I love the idea of working with young people and newcomers. In fact, in the past five years, my maximum work has been with young and fresh people. I'm sure this film will be great too, " said the 57-year-old.

In the meantime, he is kicked about the Asia premiere of his international film "Silver Linings Playbook", which will open the forthcoming Mumbai Film Festival, starting Oct 18.

The critically acclaimed Hollywood comedy-drama boasts of a well-known cast - Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Niro. It has received its fair share of acclaim at the Toronto International Film Festival.

On behalf of the team, Anupam will present the movie at the film gala in Mumbai.

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Anupam Kher meets Susan Sarandon, Hugh Grant

When one of our most versatile actors Anupam Kher has a chance to meet one of his favouite actresses, he naturally doesn't let go of the opportunity. Hence when at the now-running Toronto Film Festival, Anupam Kher got to know that Susan Sarandon was attending he naturally asked one of his friends from Hollywood for an introduction.

Says Anupam from Toronto, I told her how much I enjoyed her performance in Thelma & Louise and Dead Man Walking. I also met Hugh Grant.

Strangely Susan Sarandon was ignorant of Indian cinema and Anupam's work. Anupam specially, was all over the Toronto Film Festival.

He was not only part of Deepa Mehta's much talked-about Midnight's Children but also included in the core group of starcast members representing David Russell's Silver Linings Playbook alongside Robert De Niro, Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Julia Stiles and Chris Tucker. Throughout the Festival de Niro bonded liberally with Anupam. Anupam is also been featured on the cover of Variety.

However Anupam has taken an extremely pragmatic view of Bollywood's status vis-a-vis Hollywood and interntional cinema. Why should Hollywood know our work? Why should they know us?

We run after them. Not the other way around. We give too much importance to global recognition. I've worked with the topmost names from American cinema-Woody Allen, Ang Lee, Robert de Niro. But I've never sought their recognition or approval.

For me Midnight's Children is as important as Silver Lining Playbook. And my work back home is equally important.

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Character actors are pillars of films: Anupam Kher

Actor Anupam Kher believes that character artists are the real pillars of any film.

"I think those whom we term as character actors in India, are basically the pillars of a film. You have to have a training or you have to be from theatre to be able to support the rest of the film, " the 57-year-old said here Monday at a function organised by Indian People`s Theatre Association (IPTA) to pay tribute to late A.K. Hangal at Prithvi Theatre.

Hangal started his movie career very late and carved a niche for himself with character roles in "Sholay", "Deewar", "Bawarchi" and "Shaukeen" among others.

"So I think theatre gives you great amount of confidence, it gives you a certain amount of staying power and that's why theatre actors stay longer than any other actors in the field of cinema, " said Anupam, known for his roles in "Saaransh", "Daddy", "Karma" and "Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara".

Shabana Azmi also supports Anupam's views and said that every actor should play character roles.

"I think only those actors have a long career who even when they are playing just lead roles, do character roles, do substantial roles. That's way longevity of their career is elongated, " Shabana said here.

Anupam, Shabana, actor Kabir Bedi, lyricist Javed Akhtar, Aanjjan Srivastav were among those present at the Prithvi Theatre to pay tribute to Hangal who died Sunday.

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Anupam Kher interacts with renowned Hollywood directors

Anupam Kher who is currently in Los Angeles for the special screening of his upcoming Hollywood film was seen interacting with many renowned actors and directors of the West, one of them being the legendary Runaway Bride and Pretty Woman director Gary Marshall and our very own Indian-American film producer Ashok Amritraj

He also had a long chat with old colleague and friend Martin Henderson with whom he worked with during Bride and Prejudice.

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Anupam plans theatre fest in Shimla, says it is payback time

Noted Bollywood actor Anupam Kher is in his hometown to mentor budding talents in the city. He says that it is payback time and that he will do that by grooming aspiring actors and organising a theatre fest here.

He started a three-week long session Monday at the Gaiety Theatre, the prominent landmark of the town.

"Shimla has given me a lot and now it is time has come to pay back by bringing out hidden talents in aspiring actors. I will share whatever I have learned about acting," Anupam told.

For him, the actors are not born but made.

"Formal training and a right platform are must for one to grow," he added.

Of course, one day these aspiring actors would popularise Shimla just like me, said Kher, who has a deep emotional bond with the "Queen of Hills" where he spent his formative years.

The versatile actor, who left Shimla July 27, 1974, to pursue acting, is trying to hold an international-level theatre fest in the town.

"Next year we are aiming to hold Edinburgh International Festival in the Gaiety, which is an annual event in Scotland," he said.

The Gaiety Dramatic Society (GDS), which manages the theatre, has roped in Anupam's Actor Prepares acting school.

"The workshop is dedicated to my esteemed father (Pushkar Nath Kher) who had a great love for this hill town," he said.

Pushkar Nath, who settled in Shimla in 1949, died Feb 10 in Mumbai after a brief illness. He was 84.

Rakesh Kanwar, director of the Himachal Pradesh Art, Culture and Language Department, the organiser of the acting workshop, comprising students, housewives and businessmen, said, it would be an annual event now.

"The workshop is a platform for inspiring actors to hone their skills and talent. Anupam's school would also spot the talent and the selected one would get the chance to get formal training in his school," he said.

The Gaiety Theatre has been the centre of cultural activities in Shimla right from the day it opened in 1887.

"Time Will Tell" was the first play staged there. At one time, popularity of English plays earned Shimla the nickname - Mecca of Theatre.

Besides Anupam, actors like K.L. Sehgal, Shashi Kapoor, Jennifer Kendall, Raj Babbar and Naseeruddin Shah have also performed here.

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Anupam Kher supports Anna Hazare

Anupam Kher has come in full support of Anna Hazare, who started his fast in support to fight against corruption, by flagging off a rally Sunday.

"As Anna starts his fast, I will be flagging off car and bike rally at Andheri Station West at 1:30 p.m. for India Against Corruption. Jai Ho, " the 57-year-old tweeted.

Hazare Sunay started indefinite fast against corruption at Jantar Mantar by joining Team Anna members, who have been agitating since July 25, 2012.

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Staff payments burden for smaller actors: Anupam Kher

Veteran actor Anupam Kher is not too pleased with the news that all actors will now have to pay their staff from their own pocket. He says it will be easier for superstars who get paid in crores, but it will take a toll on lesser-paid actors.

"I think the producers have only consulted the top actors, who get in crores. For them it is easy to say that we will pay ourselves. For smaller actors who are not superstars, it's a burden, " the 57-year-old said here.

The Film and Television Producers Guild of India's decision has emerged after the producers realised that an actor's personal staff costs are adding up to as much as Rs.50, 000 a day, depending on the actor's popularity and demand.

Kher believes A-listers can accomodate such costs by raising their fee, but wonders what would happen to the lesser-paid actors.

"Anywhere in the world, the staff is paid by the producers. Even if they (the superstars) say to the producers that instead of Rs.5 crore, we will take Rs.5.5 crore, the producers will pay them. That will include the staff payments, " said Kher.

He hopes the Cine and TV Artistes' Association (CINTAA) takes up this issue with the Producers' Guild.

"For top brass actors who get in crores, it's easy to say that they will pay. But I would request producers to rethink, " he said.

The 57-year-old also has a suggestion to make for the benefit of the lesser-paid actors.

He said: "They (producers) should put a slab in place. So people getting a certain amount will be paid (for their staff) by the producer, and people getting more than that will pay (the staff fee) themselves."

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The 'spiritual' Anupam Kher

Veteran actor Anupam Kher took time off from his busy schedule to visit Bramha Temple in Pushkar and says the feeling is "amazing".

"Prayed at The Bramha Temple in Pushkar this morning (Sunday) - on behalf of you all too. Amazing feeling of peace and hope, " the 57-year-old tweeted.

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