Actor Anupam Kher goes down memory lane

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, June 19

Failure is a stepping stone to success, said noted actor Anupam Kher in Shimla today. He was recalling his 47-year-old experience of being rejected as an announcer at the All India Radio in Shimla.

During a 12-minute unscheduled programme recorded at the radio station today, he said, “In December 1974, when people were reeling under biting cold conditions, I had come to the All India Radio as a casual announcer but while giving a summary of the programme, my voice fumbled and the duty officer was so upset that he asked me not to come again.”

Kher, who said he believed in the power of dreams and hopes, had said earlier, “Failure is an event, not a person.”

“Had AIR not rejected me, I would have not taken admission in the National School of Drama and become an actor,” he said, adding that he feels he is successful today.

Favourite songs of his mother “Allah Tero naam, Ishwar Tero Naam” from the movie ‘Hum Dono’ were also played during the interaction. The staff of the AIR was taken by surprise as Kher casually walked in on Saturday morning.

Yesterday, he took a stroll on the Mall Road and The Ridge with his childhood friends. Kher, who has come to Shimla after two years, also visited DAV Senior Secondary School.

He, along with his mother Dulari Kher, also met Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and appreciated the efforts of the state government in making the film policy.