Anupam Kher reflects on the emotional demands of acting

Veteran Indian actor Anupam Kher has shared reflections on his decades-long career in cinema, discussing the emotional vulnerability required for the craft. In a recent social media post, the National School of Drama alumnus noted that while acting can provide fame and wealth, true authenticity before a camera requires both technical skill and a certain level of emotional openness, stating, “For that you need craft, but you also need a certain kind of heart. Sometimes even a broken one!”

Kher described the profession as an act of bravery, as performers must willingly expose emotions like grief, fear, and jealousy that most people attempt to conceal. He reflected on his evolution from a young actor driven by the need to prove his versatility and range to a more relaxed professional. He noted that as he has aged, he has moved away from the desire to impress audiences and instead focuses on the complexities, silences, and contradictions of his characters.