Veteran actor Anupam Kher, best known for his powerful performances in films like The Kashmir Files, recently opened up about a deeply emotional chapter of his life. In a candid conversation with Filmfare, the seasoned actor reflected on the heartbreaking moments he shared with his father, Pushkar Nath, during the latter's final days.
He described the tragic decline in his father's health, caused by a rare illness that altered his ability to eat or drink—making nourishment feel physically unbearable. According to Kher, his father experienced intense aversion toward food, which started to feel like dry sand, while water tasted like acid. The condition left him extremely weak and frail in his final days.
A Son’s Painful Memory
As his father’s condition deteriorated, Kher remembered sitting by his bedside, watching him struggle with even the simplest of actions. He recalled how his father, in an attempt to communicate, tried to write something on a piece of paper but couldn’t muster the strength to form coherent words—only faint lines appeared. To comfort him, Kher responded with a soft assurance, although he didn’t fully understand what his father was attempting to convey.
It was then, in an incredibly fragile moment, that his father pulled him closer and whispered two powerful words—“Live life.” For Kher, these final words carried enormous meaning, especially coming from someone who had accepted the end with grace and dignity. He described this last exchange as life-altering, emphasizing how profoundly it moved him to hear his dying father pass on such an uplifting message.
"This man, who was going to die in the next 20 minutes, whispered his last two words to me: ‘Live life.’ That was phenomenal. A dying man… telling you to live life. Because he had lived his,” he recalled getting emotional.
A Legacy of Kindness and Strength
Just last month, Kher took to social media to pay tribute to his late father, marking the occasion of Father’s Day with heartfelt reflections. He created a personal video and shared it on Instagram, expressing how words often fell short in encapsulating the essence of his father. He portrayed Pushkar Nath as a man of immense compassion, someone who led with kindness and never resorted to anger. His father, Kher noted, remained a guiding force of optimism and gentle wisdom throughout his life.
Among the many lessons his father passed on, one stood out to the actor in particular—“Failure is an event, not a person.” This simple yet powerful teaching left a deep imprint on Kher’s approach to life, helping him maintain hope and positivity in the face of adversity. It also formed the basis of his current life philosophy—bringing happiness to others. According to the actor, nothing in the world is simpler or more fulfilling than making someone smile.
Looking Ahead: A New Chapter
On the professional front, Anupam Kher is currently gearing up for the release of his directorial venture, Tanvi The Great, which is set to premiere in theatres on July 18. The film marks another creative milestone in his extensive career. In addition, audiences can also look forward to seeing him in the multi-starrer drama Metro… In Dino, which is scheduled for release on July 4.
He described the tragic decline in his father's health, caused by a rare illness that altered his ability to eat or drink—making nourishment feel physically unbearable. According to Kher, his father experienced intense aversion toward food, which started to feel like dry sand, while water tasted like acid. The condition left him extremely weak and frail in his final days.
A Son’s Painful Memory
As his father’s condition deteriorated, Kher remembered sitting by his bedside, watching him struggle with even the simplest of actions. He recalled how his father, in an attempt to communicate, tried to write something on a piece of paper but couldn’t muster the strength to form coherent words—only faint lines appeared. To comfort him, Kher responded with a soft assurance, although he didn’t fully understand what his father was attempting to convey.
It was then, in an incredibly fragile moment, that his father pulled him closer and whispered two powerful words—“Live life.” For Kher, these final words carried enormous meaning, especially coming from someone who had accepted the end with grace and dignity. He described this last exchange as life-altering, emphasizing how profoundly it moved him to hear his dying father pass on such an uplifting message.
"This man, who was going to die in the next 20 minutes, whispered his last two words to me: ‘Live life.’ That was phenomenal. A dying man… telling you to live life. Because he had lived his,” he recalled getting emotional.
A Legacy of Kindness and Strength
Just last month, Kher took to social media to pay tribute to his late father, marking the occasion of Father’s Day with heartfelt reflections. He created a personal video and shared it on Instagram, expressing how words often fell short in encapsulating the essence of his father. He portrayed Pushkar Nath as a man of immense compassion, someone who led with kindness and never resorted to anger. His father, Kher noted, remained a guiding force of optimism and gentle wisdom throughout his life.
Among the many lessons his father passed on, one stood out to the actor in particular—“Failure is an event, not a person.” This simple yet powerful teaching left a deep imprint on Kher’s approach to life, helping him maintain hope and positivity in the face of adversity. It also formed the basis of his current life philosophy—bringing happiness to others. According to the actor, nothing in the world is simpler or more fulfilling than making someone smile.
Looking Ahead: A New Chapter
On the professional front, Anupam Kher is currently gearing up for the release of his directorial venture, Tanvi The Great, which is set to premiere in theatres on July 18. The film marks another creative milestone in his extensive career. In addition, audiences can also look forward to seeing him in the multi-starrer drama Metro… In Dino, which is scheduled for release on July 4.
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