TOI Dialogues: Anupam Kher shares heartfelt memories of his parents – ‘I decided to celebrate my father’s life rather than mourn his death’ | Hindi Movie News Filmymeet

At The Times of India – Dialogues event in Uttarakhand, veteran actor Anupam Kher spoke about his parents and the impact social media has had on his life. He expressed his belief in the power of social media, calling it a “great boon” that allows people to share their views. “If you use social media properly, it can be a very empowering medium,” he said, adding that it helps individuals express themselves and respond to criticism.
Anupam also mentioned how he strives to stay relevant, saying, “I want to matter. I want to be not called uncle. I feel pain. Not because I feel I am 69 years old. So, I don’t have any issues about being called uncle. But we slot it here. Uncle, how are you? No, no. I work abroad. They call me by my first name. The more you age, the more powerful you become. That’s why I have spent time with my mother so that I can learn knowledge. Because no one can be more knowledgeable than her.”

The actor then shared heartfelt memories of his parents, especially his mother Dulari, whom he often features in his social media videos. Anupam spoke about the bond between his parents, who were married for 59 years, and how he chose to celebrate his father’s life after his passing in 2012.
“When a partner passes away, it’s not just the husband or wife. It’s a habit. It’s a habit. It’s a friend. It’s a companion. It’s a habit. So, when my father passed away, I thought that my mother will spend the rest of her life with me. She should not feel bad. And she won’t even tell me. So, I decided to celebrate my father’s death rather than mourn his death,” he said.

To honor his father, Anupam hosted a unique celebration, complete with a rock band and colorful attire, where they shared funny and cherished stories about his father. “I asked my brother that I have this idea that we will do this rehearsal in a traditional way. We will ask people to wear colorful clothes. I arranged a rock band. And I told everyone that I will tell you the stories of my father. He was very funny. My father was a very funny man. And we celebrated his life. We talked about what an amazing person he was,” he shared.
His mother Dulari praised the event, telling him that it made her feel proud of her husband. Anupam recalled, “When my mother called me at night, she said, son, you did a very good program. I felt that I was married to a great man. Now, an ordinary person became extraordinary for my mother. And I think the stories that my mother can tell can only be told by a mother. Even if she scolds, ‘Shut up, I will slap you,’ it’s something special.”

He concluded by saying he’s happy that others have also started making videos with their parents, just like he does with his mother. “My mother really rocks,” Anupam said with a smile.