Q. Why did you choose to teach acting?
A. I have always felt that in those days, Mumbai didn't have a professional acting school. There were many that were run as business ventures but none that gave actors the kind of training they deserved. When I worked with newcomers, they seemed very nervous because they liked formal training. It was important for the city that sells dreams to have such an institute. I believe there will come a time, where with growing competition only trained actors will be welcomed in the industry. That is something that is already happening. We get students from France, Poland and many other countries. I am not a retired actor who is teaching because he has nothing else to do. My travels and the different cinema and theatre I do in various parts of the world make my experience richer and help me teach better.


Anupam Kher with his students 

Q. Is there a difference between learning to act for theatre and learning to act for cinema?
A. We teach acting; it could be for both. Cliché in Hindi cinema is dead. Today, you are either good at both or can't do either. You project a little more in theatre but that's the only difference. You need not necessarily be 'theatrical' in your performance.