Success in US, but heart in India: Anupam Kher (IANS Exclusive)

Washington, Oct 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) Behind the success stories of Indian immigrants in the United States lies a quieter reality of loneliness, nostalgia and a deep emotional attachment to their homeland, veteran Bollywood actor Anupam Kher said, reflecting on his interactions with the Indian diaspora during an ongoing extensive theatrical tour across America.

Kher said many first-generation Indian immigrants had achieved professional success, built prosperous lives and seen their children flourish in America. Yet their emotional ties to India remained as strong as ever.

"Whenever I meet the first generation Indians over here, I say to them that their stories are a film. Every person's story is like a film story," Kher told IANS in an exclusive interview in Washington.

He said the experiences of Indian immigrants, including their struggles, achievements and sacrifices, provided compelling material for cinema.

"Everybody's story can be turned into a biopic film," he said.

But beneath these remarkable journeys, Kher said, he often detected a feeling of isolation.

"I can feel a sense of, loneliness in them," he said.

The actor said financial prosperity and professional accomplishments did not necessarily diminish the emotional distance immigrants felt from their homeland.

"Well, they are happy that they have made it big. They are happy that their children are doing well, but their heart is in India," he said.

Kher's observations came during a tour that began in Mumbai on September 1 and has taken him to several American cities with a theatrical production exploring loneliness, human relationships and the experiences of different generations.

The Washington performance was the 12th of 18 scheduled shows. Kher said the production had received an enthusiastic response, attracting audiences of 2,000 to 3,000 people, including sold-out performances.

For Kher, the response reflects something larger than the popularity of Indian theatre overseas. He believes audiences recognise their own lives in the characters and situations portrayed on stage.

The production explores the experiences of three generations: retired people, the middle-aged and Generation Z. Loneliness is a central theme, but the subject is presented through humour, music and emotional storytelling.

Kher said the play moves between laughter and tears, allowing audiences to recognise their personal experiences without feeling overwhelmed by the seriousness of the subject.

Music Director Anu Malik has composed music for the production, adding another dimension to the live performance.

The actor, who has worked in cinema for decades, said theatre offers a connection with audiences that films cannot replicate.

"The handshake is real. We breathe the same air in the auditorium. The heartbeats are beating at the same time," he said.

He described the experience of performing before a live audience as an exchange of memories between the actor and those watching.

For Kher, memories are also central to the experience of travelling across America.

Unlike the conventional image of a film star moving between cities with elaborate arrangements, he said he travels with his theatre team by bus, sometimes spending long hours on the road.

The journey from New Jersey to Washington was also made by bus.

Kher said travelling together allows the cast and crew to interact, play games, share experiences and develop relationships that might not emerge during air travel.

He recalled getting to know drivers and fellow travellers during the tour and recording videos of people he met along the way.

The actor said he had never particularly liked travelling with bodyguards and preferred a simpler approach to life.

"I travel light as a person, as a human being, as an actor," he said.

Kher described himself as an unofficial cultural ambassador of India, saying theatrical tours allow him to introduce Indian philosophy, storytelling and cultural traditions to audiences overseas.

His reflections on the diaspora were accompanied by an optimistic assessment of India's development and growing international standing.

"Today's India is on the go. Today's India is developing," he said.

He contrasted India's present trajectory with the longstanding image of America as a destination offering opportunity and professional advancement.

"America for many years gave a feeling of a dream city," he said.

Kher acknowledged that America had played an important role in his own professional journey, giving him opportunities to work in international films, plays and television series.

At the same time, he expressed pride in the achievements of Indians across American society.

"Indians have done very well over here, in every sphere of life. I feel very happy," he said.

He particularly highlighted the prominence of Indian executives in the technology industry and said their accomplishments were a source of satisfaction.

But professional achievement, he suggested, was only one measure of a society's success.

Kher described India as a country whose imperfections were part of its vitality and cultural identity.

"I think imperfection is fantastic. It's creative," he said.

"It's imperfect, but it has a heart," he added.

The actor said he missed many aspects of everyday life in India while travelling abroad. He had recently shared a video on social media reflecting on those experiences.

He also spoke about the importance of maintaining visible connections with India during his overseas visits.

Kher said he consciously visited Indian consulates and diplomatic residences whenever possible and felt proud to see the Indian national flag flying abroad.

His observations extended beyond nostalgia to a broader comparison of Indian and American social values.

Asked what Americans could learn from India, Kher identified tolerance as an important national characteristic.

"Tolerance. Indians have a great sense of tolerance," he said.

He also pointed to the ability to laugh at oneself, forgive others, welcome strangers and maintain close family relationships.

Kher said Indians could offer lessons in generosity and human warmth, including simple gestures such as offering water to a stranger.

He argued that India's linguistic, cultural and regional diversity was itself an extraordinary achievement.

"The greatest example of unity and diversity is in India," he said.

Kher noted that customs, food and clothing changed across different parts of India, yet people continued to share a national identity.

He also emphasised the role of families in Indian society, contrasting the close involvement of parents and children with social practices elsewhere.

The actor said he continued to live with his mother and considered the importance attached to family relationships one of India's strengths.

However, Kher was equally appreciative of several aspects of American life.

He said Indians could learn from American professionalism, marketing practices, infrastructure and systems.

"The marketing that American people do, and I'm saying it with appreciation, is phenomenal," he said.

The actor's comments on family relationships and loneliness also formed part of his wider reflections on the changing nature of human interaction.

Kher said the Covid-19 pandemic had fundamentally changed people's appreciation of personal contact and live entertainment.

He believes audiences are increasingly seeking opportunities to meet others and share experiences after the isolation of the pandemic.

"People are wanting human touch," he said.

He attributed the strong response to his theatrical production partly to this renewed desire for direct human connection.

Kher said the pandemic had demonstrated the vulnerability of modern society, despite advances in technology and scientific knowledge.

He recalled how an unexpected global health crisis had brought everyday life to a halt, forcing people to reconsider their assumptions about human progress.

The experience, he suggested, had made live theatre, concerts and other public performances more meaningful.

His comments came amid growing discussion about artificial intelligence and its impact on creative industries and everyday life.

Kher acknowledged the extraordinary capabilities of emerging technology but said it could not replace genuine human relationships.

"AI does amazing things, but human connection will always be important," he said.

The actor said technological advances had made communication easier, including the ability to record an interview in America and distribute it rapidly to audiences in India.

He also acknowledged the benefits of social media for artists seeking to reach new audiences.

But Kher expressed concern that digital communication could sometimes become a substitute for authentic emotional expression.

"Today, unfortunately, the real human smile is replaced by emoji," he said.

He said he welcomed technology and used it actively in his own social media communication, while trying to retain a personal voice.

"I use technology in my social media, but my posts are from my heart," he said.

Kher also highlighted the growing influence of Indian cinema and theatre as instruments of cultural outreach.

"I think Indian play, Indian cinema has played a very important role in the cultural soft power of India abroad," he said.

He recalled being welcomed by a dance academy during a visit to Atlanta, an experience that reinforced his belief in the international appeal of Indian performing arts.

The actor said social media had created new opportunities for talented performers to reach filmmakers and audiences beyond traditional industry networks.

He cited the example of an Indian actress living in Los Angeles who was selected for a forthcoming film after her dancing attracted attention through social media.

Kher encouraged young performers to preserve their individuality rather than merely imitate others.

"Be original. Even though you dance in a group, but be original because what people notice is originality, not group necessarily," he said.

Kher has built a career spanning Hindi cinema, international films, television and theatre. His international work includes the Hollywood film Silver Linings Playbook and the American television series New Amsterdam. He has also continued to perform on stage alongside his film commitments.

Source: IANS