Anupam Kher once couldn't pay a dhaba bill and had to leave his brother with them
Anupam Kher
experienced the kind of struggles that shaped not just his career but his outlook on life. Kher opened up about a moment from his early days in Mumbai that left a lasting impression on him—a moment that combined ambition, naivety, and a sharp reality check at a local dhaba.
In a candid interview with News18 Showsha, Kher was accompanied by his brother and a friend to a dhaba in Hirad Nagar after a televised play of his had aired on Doordarshan. Riding high on the appreciation from the dhaba owner, who recognised him and predicted a successful future for the young actor, Kher let the praise influence his decisions. Initially planning to order modestly, he instead called for chicken and beer.
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However, when the bill arrived—totalling Rs 97—Kher was faced with a harsh truth. He had only Rs 1 in his pocket. Despite his attempts to assure the dhaba owner that he would one day be a successful man, the owner remained firm, stating that appreciation and business are two separate matters and the bill had to be paid.
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Turning Embarrassment Into a Life Lesson
To resolve the situation, Kher left his brother and friend behind at the dhaba as assurance and rushed to a nearby friend's home to borrow Rs 100. Reflecting on the incident, he said he has always chosen to see the humour in hardship. Instead of viewing the moment with shame, he embraced it as a defining experience, noting that self-worth shouldn't be dictated by temporary financial struggles.
Kher admitted that even without external judgment, there is often an internal sense of inadequacy during such tough times, especially in an industry that often equates success with wealth and glamour. But finding comedy in the struggle helped him survive emotionally and mentally.
Embracing Imperfection Through Art and Life
Kher's ability to accept imperfections—both his own and those around him—has also informed his recent creative work. Promoting his book Different, but No Less and his directorial film Tanvi The Great, he spoke about portraying autism not as a disability but as a unique strength. According to him, the constant pressure to appear perfect on social media platforms often creates a false standard of happiness, leading many to feel inadequate.
His character Tanvi, he explained, represents purity and honesty, traits untainted by ambition or manipulation. Kher acknowledged that since the character originated from his own mind, it gave him hope that such qualities might reside within him as well.
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