Anupam Kher's controversial personality: Are global fans aware of 'New Amsterdam' actor's social media spats?
Anupam Kher has been something of a Bollywood veteran for decades now, but it’s only of late that Kher has been catapulted into the global spotlight, as Dr Vijay Kapoor on NBC’s Medical drama ‘ New Amsterdam'. Kher has been lauded for the ease he brings to the portrayal of his character, a respected neurologist. Anupam Kher may now be a familiar face to a global audience, but we wonder how much international audiences actually know about Kher beyond his character.
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After all in India Kher is almost as well as known for the stands he takes off screen as the ones he takes on screen. Kher is known to be extremely vocal with his take on Indian politics and often tends to be right leaning.
Whether its politicians or fellow actors Kher doesn't shy away from a fight. Kher is known to be particularly vocal about the issue of Kashmiri Pandits and the treatment they have faced, which many in India are, but it was for a picture in July 2016 that Kher tweeted that he received a lot of negative feedback for. The image was a disturbing one of butchered Kashmiri Pandits. However Kher, a Kashmiri Pandit himself defended his decision with this tweet.
For all those who are outraged with a pic I posted yday- Remember brutal killing of innocent people is not supposed to have an expiry date.
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) July 13, 2016
Kher has also got into several spats with other members of the Indian film fraternity over the years most notably with Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan and more recently with actor Naseeruddin Shah.
In January of 2020 when the anti-CAA protests in India were at their peak, veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah had this to say about Kher who was supporting the Indian goverment's policies. Shah said, "Someone like Anupam Kher has been very vocal. I don’t think he needs to be taken seriously. He’s a clown. Any number of his contemporaries from NFD and FTII can attest to his sycophantic nature. It’s in his blood, he can’t help it.”
Anupam Kher responded to his co-star in films liked 'A Wednesday' with this video essentially saying that Shah in spite of all his success is frustrated.
जनाब नसीरुदिन शाह साब के लिए मेरा प्यार भरा पैग़ाम!!! वो मुझसे बड़े है। उम्र में भी और तजुर्बे में भी। मै हमेशा से उनकी कला की इज़्ज़त करता आया हूँ और करता रहूँगा। पर कभी कभी कुछ बातों का दो टूक जवाब देना बहुत ज़रूरी होता। ये है मेरा जवाब। 🙏 pic.twitter.com/M4vb8RjGjj
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) January 22, 2020
Kher's Bollywood battles don't end there. When a controversy erupted over superstar Aamir Khan's statement that he wanted to move out of India, Kher was quick to respond.
Dear @aamir_khan. When did ‘Incredible India’ become ‘Intolerant India’ for you? Only in the last 7-8 months? #AtithiDevoBhavah
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) November 23, 2015
Since Kher is so vocal about politics it is not surprising that he has tackled politicians on social media as well. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and Kher got into a war of words on Twitter when Tharoor commented on Kher’s statement, “I am scared to be called a Hindu”.
Come on Anupam. I say it all the time. I'm a proud Hindu. Just not the Sangh's kind of Hindu. @AnupamPkher https://t.co/jLgKlYwL96
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) January 30, 2016
To which Anupam retorted that Tharoor was simply a 'Congi Chamcha', loosely translated as a sycophant of the Congress party. Kher has also been called out for his hypocrisy particularly when it comes to awards on Twitter. When he won the Padma Bhushan award, Kher was delighted.
Happy, Humbled & Honoured to share that i have been awarded The PADMA BHUSHAN by the Govt. of India. Greatest news of my life:) #JaiHind
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) January 25, 2016
However, it did not seem to gel with his earlier view on awards.
AWARDS in our country have become a mockery of our system.There is NO authenticity left in any one of them.B it films, National or now PADMA
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) January 26, 2010
There certainly is a lot more to Anupam Kher than just the role of Dr Vijay Kapoor. With 'New Amsterdam' going from strength to strength, we're sure eventually international audiences will begin to be more interested in Kher and not just Kapoor. From what we have seen of Anupam Kher on social media, you can love him or hate him but you can't ignore him.
