Anupam Kher reveals how he was initially replaced in debut film, told Mahesh Bhatt 'no one would play this role better than me'

Actor Anupam Kher has shared an interesting anecdote about his debut film Saaransh directed by filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt . He revealed that he was being replaced after preparing for the film.

Anupam made his Bollywood debut with the 1984 film Saaransh in which he played BV Pradhan, a 65-year-old retired teacher at the age of 28. In an interview with Humans of Bombay, the actor opened up about how he bagged the role. He said, “I auditioned and was selected for a Mahesh Bhatt film. I got money and a place to stay. But one day, a crew member told me I was being replaced. I immediately called up Mahesh Bhatt, and he said it was true. I couldn’t take it anymore, and decided to go back home."

"But first, I went to Mahesh's house and told him that no one would play this role better than me and he was making a mistake. After that, I left, but he called me back. He then called the producers and told them he wouldn’t make the film without me -- he saw the honesty and the vigor with which I wanted to act. That’s how I got my first film,” he added.

Saaransh revolves around an elderly Maharashtrian couple living in Mumbai who comes to terms with the loss of their only son. The film also features actors Rohini Hattangadi, Nilu Phule , Madan Jain, Soni Razdan, and Suhas Bhalekar.

Meanwhile, Anupam is currently basking in the success of his latest film The Kashmir Files which recorded its highest single-day haul so far of ₹19.05 crore on Wednesday. The film is expected to breach the ₹100 crore milestone in its first week itself.

Directed by Vivek Agnihotri , the film is based on the exodus and killings of Kashmiri Pandits in the valley in the 1990s. The film also stars actors Darshan Kumaar, Pallavi Joshi, and others.