Straight Answers

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">ANUPAM KHER Actor, Film-Maker & Chairperson, Censor Board On his focus in filmdom<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">You star in the recently-launched Chess. Are you confident about the crossover genre?</span><br /><br />Yes, Bend It Like Beckham was a hit. Then, My Second Generation did well and I have a very good role in Bride And Prejudice.I think I have finally arrived on the scene. I have a very interesting role in Chess. I had not signed any films for a long time but I was impressed with Chess writer-director Manoj Bhatnagar’s work.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Won’t you and Mahima Chaudhary make an odd couple in Chess?</span><br /><br />Mahima plays my wife in the movie and the script demands an age difference. I am really happy that films are being made for senior actors like me. Nobody finds it odd when Robert De Niro is paired with actresses half his age. I had made my debut by playing a 65-year-old in Saransh. So age or image don’t matter. What is important to me is that I play an interesting role in Chess. Finally, the Indian film industry has come of age.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Has this been possible because the audience is now mature enough to accept change?</span><br /><br />The audience was always mature. Only, film-makers were not ready to experiment. Finally, professionalism and systematic work culture have made it possible to complete films within a stipulated budget and time frame. This has made the scenario conducive for good cinema. A positive response from the audience will be a boost for this trend.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">How do you juggle time between acting assignments and your duties as chairperson of the Censor Board?</span><br /><br />I have always believed that it is only busy people who can find time for additional responsibilities! I am sure I will be able to manage both responsibilities with equal efficiency.</div> </div>