Anupam Kher Makes BIG Statement, Says The Kashmir Files Is 'Our Internal Truth'

Terming his film The Kashmir Files an ‘internal truth’, veteran actor Anupam Kher on Thursday said there should not be any problem in speaking what is right.

During a session at the 2023 Jagran Film Festival (JFF) in New Delhi, the actor was asked to comment on how the 2022 film was unfairly criticised by a section of society. In his response, Kher said: “The Kashmir Files is our internal truth…I talk candidly and I do that because there should not be any problem in telling the truth. There is (an) end to truth. There is no interpretation of truth.”

The 68-year-old also claimed filmmakers often try to play to the gallery to please others, something he believes should not be done. “Don’t try to be popular with the whole world. First, be popular with yourself. If you’re not popular with yourself, there is something wrong with you. We often try to make something (film) wondering ‘Will the others like it?’ No, what is important is if I like it or not,” he added.

The Kashmir Files, directed by Vivek Agnihotri, depicts the exodus of the Kashmiri Pandit community from the Kashmir Valley in the 1990s. It emerged as one of last year’s biggest Hindi hits of with reported earnings of over Rs 200 crore but was also tagged a “propaganda” film. Besides Kher, the film also starred Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumar and Mithun Chakraborty in key roles.

Kher, whose career spans almost 40 years, said he doesn’t like being called a “veteran or legend”. The National School of Drama graduate made his debut with 1984’s ‘Saaransh” and has worked in movies such as ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’, ‘Karma’, and ‘A Wednesday’. “I’m not competing with my contemporaries. I’m competing with the Tiger Shroffs of the world. I’m competing with Varun Dhawan,” he said.

“So, don’t call me a legend, veteran or thespian because these (tags) mean you have worked a lot, please take retirement. There are still 30-40 years to go for my retirement,” he added.

The JFF opened Thursday with the Adil Hussain-starrer ‘Footprints on Water’, directed by Nathalia Syam.