“If you live in an ivory tower, loneliness is frightening"
Anupam Kher has opened up about the pressures of fame, explaining why he chooses to live a normal life rather than allow stardom to define him.
The actor is returning to the stage with Jaane Pehchaane Anjaane, a theatrical production exploring loneliness, relationships and the changing nature of human connection.
Kher reflected on how celebrity status can create isolation when people become disconnected from everyday life.
He said: “I do not carry the burden of Anupam Kher on my shoulders.”
Kher explained that maintaining an ordinary lifestyle helps him avoid the loneliness that can accompany fame.
He described how simple experiences, including travelling on buses and spending time in public spaces, help him remain connected to the world beyond the film industry.
“If you live in an ivory tower, loneliness is frightening. I don’t. I live a very normal life.”
Kher is currently touring the United States and Canada with Jaane Pehchaane Anjaane, marking his return to the stage after several years.
The production combines humour and music to explore loneliness and relationships within a modern middle-class neighbourhood.
Written and directed by Gajendra Ahire, the play follows several characters navigating different stages of life.
Its stories include a widow, a widower, a young paying guest and a woman experiencing separation in middle age.
Through these characters, the production examines how loneliness can affect younger and older generations alike.
Anupam Kher said he prefers performing stories that audiences can recognise through their own experiences.
He explained that theatre can create a personal connection when people see their lives reflected in the characters on stage.
The actor also noted that audiences living outside India often feel a strong emotional connection to their homeland.
According to Kher, watching a familiar story performed by a popular Indian actor can strengthen that connection.
Kher also discussed how technology has changed the way people communicate and maintain relationships.
The actor believes the growing reliance on mobile phones and the internet has contributed to feelings of isolation.
“The revolution in mobile phones, and internet and everything, has led to a loneliness epidemic.”
He suggested that digital communication has reduced some of the personal interactions that help people feel connected.
Kher reflected on how smiles and hugs are increasingly replaced by emojis, highlighting the importance of face-to-face contact.
His comments underline one of the central themes of Jaane Pehchaane Anjaane: the need for meaningful relationships in an increasingly connected but potentially isolating world.
The production also marks a return to theatre for actor Swaroop Sampat after almost 20 years.
Kher has maintained a long-standing relationship with the stage throughout his four-decade career, appearing in productions including Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai and Mera Woh Matlab Nahi Tha.
His latest project continues that commitment to storytelling beyond cinema.
With its focus on family relationships, changing lifestyles, and loneliness, Jaane Pehchaane Anjaane brings everyday experiences to the forefront.
