“People Are Afraid to Celebrate”: Anupam Kher on Changing Bollywood Culture
Anupam Kher said Bollywood’s once-vibrant celebration culture has faded as stars increasingly fear online trolling and public backlash.
Veteran actor Anupam Kher has opened up about how online trolling and constant scrutiny have changed the culture of celebration within the Hindi film industry.
Speaking after receiving the Best Supporting Actor award at the UK Asian Film Festival for his Indo-Canadian film Calorie, Kher reflected not only on his career but also on how social media negativity has affected Bollywood’s social spirit.
The actor revealed that people in the industry have become hesitant to openly celebrate achievements out of fear of being criticised online. According to him, the grand film industry gatherings once hosted by celebrated filmmakers like Yash Chopra and Subhash Ghai have gradually disappeared because public figures now worry that even happy moments may invite backlash.
Kher also spoke about his recent award-winning role in Calorie, a film based on the emotional aftermath of the 1985 Kanishka Air tragedy. Directed by Eisha Marjara, whose mother died in the bombing of Air India Flight 182, the project demanded emotional depth beyond technical performance, he said.
Looking back on his long career in films, Anupam Kher said he continuously challenges himself to keep evolving as an actor, believing that real growth comes from stepping out of one’s comfort zone rather than depending only on past success or experience.
The actor also expressed pride in representing India on international platforms. Though actors do not officially represent the country in the same way athletes do, Kher said he personally feels a strong sense of responsibility whenever he works abroad.
