Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt has written an emotional letter to actor Anupam Kher, reflecting on the latter’s 42-year career in cinema, spanning from his debut in Saaransh to his latest role as Jatayu in Ramayana Part: 1.In the note, Bhatt praised Kher’s growth both as an actor and an individual, expressing pride in his former protégé’s journey. He recalled meeting Kher for the first time when Bhatt was 34 and Kher was 28, at his residence in Pali Hill.Bhatt drew a connection between Kher’s roles as B.V. Pradhan in Saaransh (1984) and as Jatayu in Ramayana, writing, “From B. V. Pradhan in Saaransh to Jatayu in Ramayana– what a journey. The rise and the rise and the rise of you. I am so happy for you.”The filmmaker also recounted a recent meeting in Sweden where he observed a notable transformation in Kher’s confidence and demeanour. “You have never looked so sure of yourself, and so free of yourself,” Bhatt wrote.Referring to a significant scene from Saaransh in which Kher’s character releases his son Ajay’s ashes and notices an elderly woman playing with children, Bhatt described it as a “Buddha moment” that lingered in Kher’s eyes, body, and heart, a sentiment he again witnessed in Sweden.Bhatt added, “I feel the happiness of someone who once held your hand and now watches you go where I could never have taken you,” expressing his hope that Kher’s success will inspire aspiring actors from smaller towns. “And somewhere, a boy from the hinterland will see you and dare to come here with his own impossible dream,” he stated.Sharing the letter on Instagram, Anupam Kher expressed gratitude, describing the message as “one of the most meaningful acknowledgements of my career.” He wrote, “Your message came out of the blue yesterday, and I was completely unprepared for it.”He said he read the letter with a “heart full of gratitude” and felt humbled by Bhatt’s words, calling it “the most beautiful certificate for 42 years of work” and “the warmest acknowledgement from the person who first opened the doors of cinema for me.”Kher further described Bhatt as “so much more to me than the director of my first film, Saaransh. You are my mentor, my friend and my teacher.”He thanked Bhatt for believing in him and recognising his journey, concluding, “I will keep striving to do work that makes you proud, and perhaps earn a letter like this from you every now and then.”Anupam Kher debuted in Mahesh Bhatt’s 1984 film Saaransh, portraying the character B.V. Pradhan. He has recently received acclaim for his voice-over as Jatayu in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana: Part 1, the first instalment of a two-part cinematic adaptation of the ancient Indian epic.The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Ravie Dubey as Lakshman, and Sunny Deol as Hanuman. Kher voices Jatayu, the divine bird who attempts to rescue Sita from Ravana’s abduction. The cast also includes Arun Govil, Lara Dutta, and Rakul Preet Singh.
Mahesh Bhatt honours Anupam Kher’s 42-year cinema journey
