Before Anupam Kher became one of Bollywood's most recognised faces, it was director Mahesh Bhatt who gave him his first break. Decades later, Kher still has not forgotten that moment and he has a very particular way of showing it.
After every film he does, Kher hands Bhatt an envelope with money. It is a quiet, personal ritual not a grand public gesture.
Almost lost it all before it began
The bond between the two men was forged under painful circumstances. When Saaransh was being made, Kher had spent months preparing for his role. But just days before filming, he was briefly replaced by actor Sanjeev Kumar. The news devastated him completely.
He packed every belonging into a car and was ready to leave Mumbai altogether. But before going, he chose to confront Bhatt face to face.
In an earlier interview with ANI, Kher recalled, "I took the cab to his house, and I walked up the stairs. He praised me for taking the news sportingly, but I told him to look out of his window and see the car that was standing there. It had all my belongings, and I told him that before leaving, I wanted to tell him what a fraud he is... I wanted to make final climactic statement, and I told him that as a Brahmin man, I was cursing him."
A ritual that has grown with every film
That difficult beginning eventually gave way to a lasting tradition. In a recent interview with PinkVilla, Kher revealed that he pays Bhatt a fixed amount after every film he completes -a habit that started with just Rs 250. He said, "He gave me my first break so back then I would give him Rs 250 for every film. Now it's Rs 25,000. He says this is the result of inflation."
The amount rose steadily -from Rs 250 to Rs 500, then Rs 1,000, then Rs 5,000, and now Rs 25,000. Kher added, "I just gave him an envelope last week. Now he just holds the envelope and he knows how much is in it. But I really like it. It's more of a ritual than anything else. It's a comedy."
Now he wants to return as an action hero
Even after a long and celebrated career, Kher has one more dream connected to Saaransh. He wants to make a sequel but this time as an action performer. He told PinkVilla, "I want to do Saaransh 2 as an action actor. I spoke to Mahesh Bhatt a month ago. I told him Bhatt saab, 'I really want to do action because I am working on myself'."
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He also added, "I do display my body at the risk of being laughed at. I feel very happy about it. I would want my character to save people via action. Like in Taken, so I want to do something like that."
Anupam Kher’s recent work
After 23 years, Anupam Kher steps behind the camera again. His new film ‘Tanvi The Great’ released in theatres on July 18, 2025. It marks the debut of Shubhangi Dutt in the titular role.
The story follows a 21-year-old woman on the autism spectrum who dreams of saluting the flag at Siachen Glacier. The film features Oscar winners MM Keeravani and Resul Pookutty. It has been declared tax-free in Madhya Pradesh and Delhi.
