A day before the release of his biopic film Super 30, Anand Kumar said his story would bring prestige to Bihar. He, along with members of Bihar diaspora across the globe, has made a request to the State government to make the film, simultaneously releasing in 71 countries, tax-free.
“All the stories from Bihar generally highlight crime, corruption and negativity but my story through biopic will bring prestige to the State as people would know that in Bihar here is a man who despite all difficulties and hardships has reached the top,” Mr. Kumar told The Hindu on the phone. Bollywood actors Hrithik Roshan and Mrunal Thakur have played lead roles in the biopic, which is based on the trials and triumphs of Mr. Kumar and his family members. Some of the students featured in the film are also from Patna and his coaching institute.
“The Government of Bihar must come forward and make this movie tax-free as it is a film every Bihari should feel proud of — that a man of humble origin could rise to such heights by dint of sheer hard work and dedication without caring for lost opportunities,” said Obaidur Rahman, chairman of Bihar Foundation in Saudi Arabia. Mr. Rahman’s stand has been echoed by Akbar Khan of Oman, Shahabuddin Baze Sadaf of Qatar and Prakash Sharma from Germany.
Mr. Kumar had founded Super 30 coaching institute in 2002 in Patna to provide free tuition, accommodation and food to students preparing for the toughest entrance exam of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and coming from poor and underprivileged sections of society. Since then over 400 students from Super 30 have cracked the IIT entrance test. An attempt on Mr. Kumar’s life was made by some local goons for extortion. He also faced pulls and pressures from former colleagues and serious health issues.
Rare health condition
In 2014, he was diagnosed with a rare medical condition, acoustic neuroma, and was told by doctors that he would live for only 10 years more. “In 2014, my health worsened and I lost 80 to 90% of my hearing. After several consultations, I was told by the doctors at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi about the development of a tumour in a nerve that goes from our ear to the brain... it is called acoustic neuroma and I was given 10 more years to live…but, today I’m happy that my biopic is going to be released at a time when I am hale and hearty,” said Mr. Kumar. Mr. Kumar is being treated at Mumbai-based Hinduja Hospital. When asked what next, he said, “I live in the present and want to lead a happy and long life to see that no poor student suffers to compete in IIT or other engineering exams because of his or her financial condition.”