Anupam Kher to spread optimism

Kher trying to promote optimism by giving lectures on self motivation, posititvity since two years.

MUMBAI: Anupam Kher is taking on the avatar of a motivational  speaker as part of a worldwide programme called Power Within. The actor, who has worked in more than 400 films, has already lectured in international and national universities. The programme will officially launch by March this year.

Tell us something about Power Within.

For the past two years, I have been giving lectures on positivity and self motivation. The goal is to spread optimism. I’m a great optimist and have lived a life which has had its fair share of  ups and downs yet I have never indulged in self-pity or bitterness. People need to understand that there is no point of dwelling on ones shortcomings, failures or setbacks. One should turn them into their strengths, into something positive, because thats the only way to ‘live life’ .

What prompted you to become a motivational speaker?

I believe that if you have not made a difference in anybody’s life then life is not worth while. My autobiographical play Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai prompted me to go deeper into this. I was always positive and optimistic but this play was the culmination of all those things that zeroed down on my philosophy of life — that anything is possible.

What do you think goes in your favour as a motivational speaker?

I don’t have to borrow examples, I don’t have to read a book and say that this is written in that book, my theory is based on my book, my life. That’s why I don’t make Power Point presentations or write notes. I understand the kind of audience that I have and then talk. I personally believe that being yourself can be the most difficult thing in the world but conversely can also be the easiest thing in the world. You need to choose and I choose to be myself.

Till now where have you lectured?

I have done it in Kellogg School of Management, University of Maryland and Illinois Institute of Technology.

How did the audience respond?

The response has been fantastic. Lots of people came up to me and said that it actually made a difference to their lives. Also my lectures are based on a certain kind of humour because I make maximum amount of fun of myself to keep things interesting. There is a lot of audience participation.

Do you remember any of your weaker moments when you needed motivation?

When I was a struggling actor that was the most difficult part of my life, those three years from 1981 to 1984 till I got Saaransh were tough. But I survived on the autobiographies of Charlie Chaplin, Vincent Van Gogh, Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Nehru.

You are an actor, you have acting schools, a talent company, a foundation, your own play and many other things. How do you manage so many things together?

My grandfather used to say that a busy man has time for everything so I follow that.

Any regrets in life — personally or professionally?

No I don’t look at life like that. I have no regrets, I’m very happy to be born in the family I’ve been born in (which is full of )comical, strange and all kinds of people.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 13^th, 2011.