Actor Anupam Kher has dismissed criticism that labels his films as “propaganda”, saying he no longer reacts to such allegations. In an exclusive interview with India Today, the actor cited the box office success of Dhurandhar to argue that such claims fall apart when audiences embrace a film, adding that its reported Rs 1,000 crore collection speaks for itself.
Addressing the criticism surrounding some of his recent films, Kher said he no longer pays attention to people who describe them as propaganda.
“I have stopped reacting to people who call things propaganda. They are the biggest frauds on earth. They are those kinds of people who will sip champagne in a five-star hotel and talk about the poverty in India. So, I am not bothered about them,” the 71-year-old actor said.
Kher pointed out that films like The Kashmir Files and Dhurandhar have also been branded as propaganda, but said their commercial success speaks for itself.
“The problem with these people is that they don’t know what to do with me. And I am not a crusader at all. I love people. They called The Kashmir Files propaganda, Dhurandhar propaganda. Thappad pad rahe hai sabko, Rs 1000 crore ka business kar rahi hai. Phir jab business karti hai toh kehte hai inhone kuch paisa vapas nahi kiya (It’s proving everyone wrong. The film is earning Rs 1,000 crore at the box office. And when it becomes such a huge success, people start saying, ‘They haven’t given anything back)’” he added.
Explaining why he disagrees with the label, Kher argued that if propaganda alone guaranteed success, then every film perceived to have an agenda would become a blockbuster.
“Agar hum dacoits par picture bana sakte hai, voh superhit ho sakti hai, usmein agenda nahi ho sakta. Agar yahi logic hai toh Vivek Oberoi ki movie on PM Modi biopic should be superhit (If we can make a film about dacoits and it becomes a blockbuster, no one calls it an agenda-driven film. By that logic, Vivek Oberoi’s biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi should also have been a superhit. But people didn’t like it. If that were how it worked, every film made by a top director or producer would become a blockbuster. Everyone would start making so-called propaganda films if that alone guaranteed success)” he told us.
“By this logic, every film made by a top director and producer would have been a super-duper hit. Everybody will make a propaganda film if that is what it gets you,” he added.
The Khosla Ka Khosla actor concluded by saying that audiences connect with emotions rather than ideology, adding that a film’s success ultimately depends on whether it resonates with viewers.
On the work front
Anupam Kher will next be seen in Shri Ram Bhoomi. The project is directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh, who recently helmed The Kerala Story 2. The film also features Ritwik Bhowmik and Amruta Khanvilkar. It is backed by Anuya Chauhan Kudecha, Ritesh Kudecha, Umesh Kumar Bansal, Raedita, Akash Shah, Pranay Chokshi, Kalapi Shah, Kranti Shanbhag, Girish Johar and Meet Mojo. He also has Khosla Ka Khosla 2 in his kitty.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.indiatoday.in ’
