Actor Anupam Kher kicked off the first masterclass of the day at Kala Mandir during the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), drawing a full house eager to hear the actor reflect on his five decades in cinema. The session, titled “Giving Up is NOT a Choice,” blended personal stories, life lessons, and an honest look at the highs and lows of his career.
Kher revisited one of the most emotional moments of his early years in Bollywood the time he nearly lost the lead role in Saaransh. After preparing for months for what he believed would be a breakthrough performance, he learned that he had been replaced just days before shooting.
Heartbroken, he packed his bags and decided to leave Mumbai. But before boarding the train, he visited director Mahesh Bhatt. During that conversation, Kher broke down, and Bhatt eventually changed his mind, bringing him back into the film. Kher said the incident taught him that setbacks are never final often, they signal the start of a new rise.
Throughout the 90-minute masterclass, the actor drew from his childhood, describing how growing up in a small, crowded home with 14 family members taught him to find joy in simple things. He shared how his father once turned a poor report card 58th out of 60 into a lesson on growth, telling him that improvement is easier when you start from the bottom. That, Kher said, shaped his belief that “failure is an event, not a person.”
Encouraging the audience to embrace their own journeys, he urged, “Become the lead in your own biopic.” According to him, challenges are what make a life story worth telling.The 56th edition of IFFI continues in Panaji until November 28, celebrating cinema with global screenings, cultural showcases, and interactive sessions. The festival is being hosted by the NFDC and the Government of Goa.
