LUCKNOW: It was in Lucknow that this 24-year-old young man got his first job, first two-wheeler – a blue-coloured Atlas bicycle – on which he pedaled his way to his workplace everyday.
And everytime he moved past the magnificent Lucknow University, he was awestruck by its grandeur.
Now a legendary actor, Anupam Kher will be in the city, though virtually, to participate in Lucknow University’s centenary celebrations and make students understand that there is no substitute to hard work.
A motivational lecture by the actor will be the most desired success guide for students.
Kher has a very strong connect with the city and the ‘Saraansh’ of his life is incomplete without Lucknow.
“Coming to Lucknow is good in many ways as it was the place where I got my first job after passing out from drama school. From no money to getting Rs 1,200 per month and being called as a lecturer by noted director Raj Bisaria in a department of the Bhartendu Natya Academy (BNA) was something good at the age of 24,” recalls Kher while talking to TOI.
Kher, who hails from Shimla, spent around three years (1979-81) in Lucknow as a lecturer at BNA. Later, this dynamic teacher came to be known for his prolific career in Indian cinema, having worked internationally in more than 500 films and 100 plays over a span of 35 years. He has to his credit films like ‘Saaransh’, ‘Khosla Ka Ghosla’, ‘A Wednesday’, ‘Special 26’, ‘Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara’, and ‘The Accidental Prime Minister’, to name a few.
Having worked with acclaimed directors like Ang Lee, David O Russell, Woody Allen, Gurinder Chaddha and the Wachowskis, some of his Hollywood films include ‘Silver Linings Playbook’, ‘Hotel Mumbai’ and ‘The Big Sick’.
“It was 1979 when I was learning to be independent and didn’t want to go to Bombay straightaway to try my luck. I started teaching at BNA. The best part about teaching acting is that a teacher gets to learn more than students because it gets confirmed what he knows,” he says.
“I got a job offer from Raj Bisaria who was the head of the Bhartendu Natya Academy. On September 12, 1979, I reached Lucknow and started my first job,” he adds.
“Lucknow is an amazing city. I still remember people in Zubaida Manzil in Niralanagar where I lived on rent. Being a foodie, Lucknow was the best place for me. Be it Tundey ke kababs or Doodh Jalebi, every cuisine was heaven,” Kher recalls.
“Not very often I visited the LU campus but whenever I went there I was amazed as it is very beautifully dominating and had its own cultural charm. I used to hear a lot about LU from Raj Bisaria who taught in the English department. Everything about Lucknow, including the university, is royal,” he says.
“My message to LU students is that there is no alternative to hardwork and honesty. You should not let go off your individuality no matter how much discomforting it is. The moment you become the part of the crowd you stay in the crowd,” says Kher, adding that the title of his first book ‘The Best Thing About You Is You’ is something students need to discover.