Sikandar shares story of Anupam Kher’s unwavering confidence, when Robert De Niro wanted him out from Silver Linings Playbook scene | Bollywood Life
Actor Sikandar Kher talked about a life lesson he learned from his stepfather Anupam Kher. He said Anupam taught him the importance of perseverance. Sikandar recalled a story where Anupam stood for himself against Robert De Niro and Bradely Cooper, when he heard that he might be removed from a scene in the Silver Linings Playbook, starring Jennifer Lawrence. The film also featured stars like Robert De Niro and Bradley Cooper and was directed by David O. Russell.
Remembering the story, Sikandar talked about on the Qisse with Kopal podcast and said, “A man who is already drenched isn’t afraid of the rain; that’s something I learned from him. His tenacity… When he got to know that he had been replaced in Saaransh without being informed, and he had to leave Mumbai because he didn’t have any money. But before leaving, he decided to give Mahesh Bhatt a piece of his mind, and he did it so hard that he got the part.”
He also shared that Anupam taught him to stay strong in tough times and recalled how Anupam once lost a role in Saaransh without being told and was about to leave Mumbai due to lack of money. But before leaving, Anupam boldly confronted Mahesh Bhatt—and ended up getting the role back.
The actor also said that Robert DeNiro is his father’s favourite actor and worked with Anupam Kher on Silver Linings Playbook. During a rehearsal, Robert DeNiro sensed that Anupam shouldn’t be in the scene. “He felt that his character wouldn’t let my dad’s character in the house because he didn’t like him. He thought, let me just give them a piece of my mind. And he went and gave the director a piece of his mind in front of the whole set; there’s Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Chris Tucker, Robert De Niro… He explained to them why he should be in the scene. Director looks at De Niro and asks, ‘Bob?’ And De Niro said okay. My father is a nobody there, he’s from India. He could’ve lost that part. But he went there and just did it, and held on to his self-respect. That’s the stuff I need to learn,” Sikandar recalled.
Sikandar has recently returned to the spotlight with notable supporting roles in films like Monica O My Darling and Monkey Man, as well as appearances in popular series Aarya and Citadel: Honey Bunny.
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