Anupam Kher’s Masterclass at Kala Mandir—Why ‘Giving Up Is Not a Choice’

By Pickle November 23, 2025

For an audience hungry for both inspiration and authenticity, Anupam Kher’s masterclass was a lesson not just in acting, but in living.

In a spellbinding display of candour, humour, and heart, legendary actor Anupam Kher took centre stage at Kala Mandir for today’s first masterclass at the ongoing festival—reminding a packed auditorium of hundreds that, in life and in cinema, “Giving up is NOT a choice.”

Dressed in his trademark charm and wisdom, Anupam Kher wove a narrative that resonated far beyond the world of acting. His theme—“Giving Up is NOT a Choice”—was more than a slogan; it was a personal manifesto, forged in the crucible of struggle, rejection, and ultimate triumph.

A Defining Loss

Anupam Kher opened with the story that would become the emotional heartbeat of the session: the famous near-loss of his lead role in Mahesh Bhatt’s Saaransh. After six months of intense preparation and emotional investment, Anupam Kher was abruptly told the role was no longer his. The news was a gut punch, threatening to drive him from Mumbai and his dreams forever. In a moment of despair, he sought one final meeting with Bhatt—who, moved by Anupam Kher’s raw heartache, reversed the decision. The rest, as they say, is history: Saaransh became a landmark in Hindi cinema and the cornerstone of Anupam Kher’s illustrious career.

But for Anupam Kher, the lesson was deeper. “Saaransh taught me that giving up is not an option,” he reflected. “The moment you feel defeated might just be the beginning of your greatest triumph.”

Lessons from Home

Drawing from a wellspring of personal anecdotes, Anupam Kher turned the spotlight to his childhood—a cramped, lower-middle-class home in Shimla shared by 14 family members. Despite the material struggles, he recalled, their lives were rich with laughter and warmth, thanks in large part to his grandfather’s lighthearted approach to adversity. “He taught me to find happiness in the smallest things and to never let circumstances define my outlook,” he shared.

“Failure Is an Event, Never a Person”

Anupam Kher’s stories found their most poignant note in a memory of his father, a modest clerk in the forest department. When a young Anupam brought home a report card ranking him 58th out of 60, his father’s response was unconventional: “The one who comes first always has the pressure to stay on top. But coming 58th means you have so many places to go up. Just try for 48th next time.” The lesson was clear: failure is not a label but a moment—one that can be rewritten.

The Lead in Your Own Biopic

Throughout the session, Anupam Kher challenged the audience—many of them young, aspiring artists—to become the protagonists of their own life stories. “Be comfortable with who you are. Why should life be easy? It’s the problems that make your biopic a superstar biopic,” he declared, his words met with laughter and applause.

He insisted that true personality comes from authenticity, and that success is not measured by a lack of obstacles but by the courage to persist through them. “You have to believe in yourself. You have to become the central character in your own biopic,” he repeated, urging each listener to step into the spotlight of their own lives.

The Power of Perseverance

The masterclass concluded with an energetic Q&A, Anupam Kher fielding questions with his signature blend of wit and sincerity. His final message was one of endurance and hope: “Giving up is not a choice is not just a phrase. It is unbelievably hard work. If you want something, you have to sacrifice, you have to persevere. You will face disappointments. But if you give up, the stories end there, my friend.”

As the lights dimmed and the audience rose in applause, it was clear that Anupam Kher’s story—like the best cinema—was one of struggle, resilience, and the refusal to let the credits roll too soon. In a world quick to judge success and failure, Anupam Kher’s masterclass was a stirring reminder that the real drama lies in refusing to give up.