He intently looks into the computer screen, settling in the chair in his office. Yes, Anupam Kher can sit back today. After an enviously fleshy variety of roles in 250 odd films, he can more than afford it. And not just sit back, but get back to a lot more than acting in films. Like producing and directing them, surfing the net, mailing to friends, thinking about his characterisations and getting back to the camera with an all-new gusto. "It helps, you know.After so many years of a mechanical maze, down to a degree of irritability and trappings of stardom, the hiatus that cutting down my film assignments has brought me, has returned my perspective to me. And I can feel myself giving a lot better to the camera," discloses Kher, whose debut production Baadiwaali just returned with flying colours from the Berlin Film Festival.So what turned him producer? "One moves ahead in life. And as a producer, you have an amazing lot in your hands. You can work up an idea your own way in front of the camera." Also the reason to get behind it? "Yes", he nods, "it's about the freedom one misses as an actor many times, especially if he is from theatre. But then, more often than not, I do manage to have my way. I think I can really persuade people. But really, you also can't ask for variety all the time. " Which explains his penchant for the comic, a forte here. "Anyone taking life seriously looks comical to me. How about just having plain fun, without the double entendre for crutches! We badly need good comedy writers in the industry,'' he trails off. From the Saraansh of struggle that left no option but to make it big, to a spate of films Anupam still can't have enough of it. "I still get excited when interviewed, I love autograph hunters!" he gushes.Acting, after all, hands you down a chance to travel beyond yourself. You are born with one facet and acting helps you live so many lives. It's exciting to get a chance to be a different person." But the best, he says, remains. Kher feels he has given just 30% of what he can give. As he rattles off on his forthcoming films like Dulhan Hum le Jaayenge, Kya Kehna, Refugee.. besides the two scripts he will direct, there isn't missing the spark. of playing on. The comedy of life and living.Did we say cheers to that!
