The Life Coach

Anupam Kher on the therapeutic,life-changing effects of acting

‘Acting is a therapy,and this is a life-coaching institute.’ For Anupam Kher,his school,An Actor Prepares,is a playground – “a place where you drop all your inhibitions,face your fears and realise your true potential”. In town to audition for his next batch,Anupam was amused,especially with their imagination. “Because every time I come across more hopeful enthusiasts,” he tackles Barry Cheema who refuses to give up his cap for the fear of exposing his balding head and then Gul,all the way from Dehradun,who only wants to act. “The problem with this generation is confidence,and they confuse this and glib talking with acting. You need to take basic training,practise,put in the hard work…it’s not easy,” he shoots,as always. They have lowered their fee,but don’t guarantee portfolios or jobs. “This is a school where you receive education,we don’t focus on jobs. For that,there’s a talent company we run with which you can register,” says Kher,whose 40 per cent students have made it to YRF’s television production. “Chandigarh and the region fails to get work because none is generated here. Only when the government promotes culture and regional cinema that there’ll be work created,” he feels.