let's talk

As actor Anupam Kher returns to television screen with the second innings of his talk show, the Anupam Kher show, Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai, the golden globe nominee opens up about his show where celebrities reminisce about their rough journeys, failures and yet strived hard to accomplish their goals.

What does it take to be a good talk show hostIJ

The first thing is that you have to be yourself. You have to be honest and charming. One should definitely have a sense of humor; you have to be quick and a great listener. I am sure there are other things as well but these are important factors.

Aren’t there too many shows revolving around the same conceptIJ Do you think there is a need to extend the concept of your showIJ

There is no need to extend or revive the concept of my show; I don't think there is any show as this one which is based on optimism and inspiration. There is no show which talks of people’s inspirations, plus other shows don’t have Anupam Kher as their host. 

Your Twitter handle says motivational speaker. What is that one motivation you found from your guests in the second seasonIJ

I learn from everybody, and I learn all the time. From Shah Rukh Khan, to be able to speak and formulate sentences the way he actually thinks. The success story of Suresh Raina when he had quit the cricket academy after being ragged and how his 15-minute walk with his brother changed his complete outlook. 

How do you rate the content of Indian television shows todayIJ

I don’t watch much television. I used to, but then it started bothering me and thought why am I watching something which is bothering meIJ In today’s world of social media, you get news in seconds and if news travels faster than anything, why would I want an opinion of five different people. If someone will force their opinion on me, I will react. 

You’ve headed Central Board of Film Certification and National School of Drama. What are your views about autonomy and reforms for institutions like FTIIIJ

I should be honest, and I think it’s important to go back to classes and continue learning.They can protest everyday in the morning or evening but to not continue classes for so many months is going to harm them. I have spoken about him (Gajendra Chauhan ) and I don't want to talk more about it. My advice to them is that there are other ways to protest. One day, two days or they can continue for 365 days but I think it is important that they go back to their classes. The sad part is, it has become political now.

We talk about the voice of free speech being smothered everywhere. Is the intelligentsia ready to accept opposing or contrarian ideasIJ

No it is not possible. We are not in 100 per cent literate country and free speech can be misunderstood and misconstrued. I think it is a thought process of certain pseudo-intellectuals who don't live in the interior of India. They live in five metropolitan cities and they don’t know India, when you go to smaller towns, these people have no idea that how a girl is subjected to lewd remarks or stares and then they say there should be censorship. Of course, there is a freedom of speech and we practice it. For me, in India, freedom of speech is complete under the pretext that we don’t have freedom of speech but we say everything we want to. It is unfortunate thing that two newspapers carried the hanging of Yakub Memon on the front page and of Abdul Kalam sir, somewhere on middle pages. What can be more shameful.

Do you think actors are chasing categories of roles rather deliberately rather than developing their skills as artistes firstIJ

When I was working in 80s and 90s, a person was popular if he was doing 20 films at a time. We don't need to do that today. You have to choose one film and that one film will decide your next five years. The system has changed, the producer wants to work on one film and when you work on one film, you can improve your skills. But, at the end of it, the audience is ruthless and they don’t give a chance. But, I think the professionalism which is coming in Indian cinema is good.