 Anupam Kher in Chennai
 'Kucch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai' with
Anupam Kher, written and directed by Feroz
Khan, was staged in Chennai recently, with the star-actor turning out to be a big draw.
IN his own words, "This is a journey of a man who should have been a failure; manipulated his destiny and forced it to become a success. At the zenith of his career and crossroads of his life, he pauses to reflect and share his pain, joy, tears, and laughter."
The play was staged as a full production with Anupam narrating and dramatising the important events in his life -- first romantic encounter, failure at
'Gandhi' film audition, casting in Saaransh, awards and personal relationships.
Although the play tells the story of a small town man making it big in the Hindi film industry, the director has aimed at the audience identifying with the character and find snatches of their lives being played on stage. The event was managed by Studio Works.
"I have never judged life. If I had, I would have been a complete mess... " Perhaps it is this attitude that explains the steady evolvement of Anupam Kher, both as a person and actor over his 19 years in the Indian film industry. Moving from very humble beginnings to acquire a gold medal at the National School of Drama, Anupam Kher started his career through the expression that mattered most to him - theatre. He has always made time for stage, having acted in more than hundred plays including the successful, Saalgirah with his talented wife that drew large audiences world-wide.
However, Anupam Kher was more identified with the silver screen. With 300 films to his credit, Anupam Kher has made an indelible impression in the minds of his audience as one of India's finest actors. With Gurinder Chaddha's 'Bend It Like Beckham', he has now forayed into the international arena with challenging projects at hand.
 A man of many ambitions, 1994 saw the launch of his own entertainment company to provide the highest quality of cinema and television entertainment, and has produced some very popular and unusual programmes in the last ten years. He took an important step further by producing his first 'Bariwali' that went on to receive rave reviews in the International press with invitations to ten international film festivals. The film received the NETPAC Award for being the most outstanding Asian Film at the Berlin International Film Festival and the Best Feature Film Award at the San Francisco Film Festival.
Deeply involved in films, theatre and television, Anupam Kher's brush strokes give us a resplendent canvas that bears the weight of innumerable personal awards too. Not only has he to his credit the Special National Jury Award and the Actor of the Decade Award (Millennium Honours) among others, but he also happens to hold the record for being the only actor in the industry to have won eight
Filmfare awards in a row.
And yet, Anupam Kher is more than just a success story with a celluloid image. He has always concerned himself with causes that kept him close to the ground and let him make a difference. He has taught special children for several years; is one of the founder members of People for Animals and has attended and organised numerous fund-raising shows. He also continues to host his exclusive children's
chat show 'Say Na Something To Anupam Uncle' on television.
Still continuing to fill the white edges of that canvas are the pivotal official status he holds today as Chairman, of both, The National School of Drama and the Censor Board. Now he attempts his most personal work by embracing his life on stage in his one-man show KBHSH. In his words, "It's the bravest thing I've ever done... ".
A chat with Anupam on his visit to Chennai at the
Savera Hotels revealed that he was a sincere and intense person. Somewhat removed from the image of a comedian that he often portrayed in films.
"It is a tough thing to do -- a play on one's own life. Believe me", said Anupam. "However, I have been as honest and transparent as I possibly can. I've revealed every major facet of my life including my failures."
"The idea first struck me about two years ago. I told the director, Feroz Khan, about how this can be made into a play, and he readily agreed. He has subsequently worked on what should go into the play and how these events should be presented."
"Besides, I also needed to make some money since I was facing a financial crisis and found that the play could be successful revenue-wise". On why he should have faced a financial crisis when he had acted in over 300 films, Anupam said, "The answer is in the play itself."
Feroz Khan said it was not easy fashioning the play. However, the story of Anupam is engrossing for the audiences who can identify with the character and the incidents in their own lives. Feroz, who was greatly inspired by Jennifer Kapoor in evolving as a theatre
personality.
 Winner of various awards as an actor in inter-collegiate drama competition during his college days, he went on to become the first artistic director of Prithvi Theatre and along with late Jennifer Kapoor, pioneered the International Prithvi Theatre Festival in1983, and was responsible for its activities till 1992. Actors like Anupam Kher, Shabana Azmi, Naseerudin Shah, Farooque Shaikh, Satish Kaushik, Seema Biswas and others have worked under his direction. All his plays have travelled extensively around the world, not only winning accolades but also raising funds for various causes in India.
His play TUMHARI AMRITA has the rare distinction of performing at the United Nations and raised a huge amount for Latur earthquake relief. SAALGIRAH, raised substantial amounts for the India chair at Columbia University and MAHATMA vrs GANDHI performed to a huge audience in the Silicon Valley at the prestigious Memorial Hall at Stanford University for India development project. His other notable plays include Peter Shaffer's 'THE ROYAL HUNT OF THE SUN', 'EVA MUMBAIMA CHAAL JAIYE' the first modern musical in Gujarati, the record breaking, 'ALL THE BEST', critically hailed, 'SALESMAN RAMLAL' and 'KUCCH BHI HO SAKTA HAI' with Anupam
Kher.
Anupam's dedication was inspiring, Feroz said, recalling the play's tag line, "Anupam Kher will do everything to succeed -- even fail." Anupam has succeeded with this play too -- without fail.
R Rangaraj
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