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| Anupam Kher in Shola aur Shabnam (1992) |
That too today of all days - on Anupam Kher's 67th birthday. (Happy days Mr Kher!)
In the 90s film, the character essayed by Anupam Kher, as Major Inder Mohan Lathi / I.M. Lathi (geddit?!), fans out at Sridevi at the drop of a hat. As an obsessed fan-boy (well, fan-man!) of the Indian actress, the strict and militant Major melts at the mention of Sridevi - and there's an epic on-screen prank played in the film that's pure comedy gold. Kher plays his part with such relish and the comical physicality he brings to it, proving time and again, what a gifted and versatile actor he is. In 1992, Kher appeared in 12 films ranging from comedies, family dramas, war films to action adventures. The films varied in quality, Kher was consistently good.
In interviews back then, Anupam Kher mentioned that it was easy for him to play a Sridevi fan in the movie as he indeed was one. Like many other fans, in the film, the walls and cupboards of IM Lathi were adorned by Sridevi posters and pics (hell, growing up, we used to have it too) and Kher brought little touches of relatability to his part.
Unsurprisingly, Anupam Kher was nominated for his comedic take in Shola aur Shabnam - one of multiple nominations he's received in his rather resplendent career.
The film had leads Govinda and (Sridevi look-a-like-) Divya Bharti - and was a major success at the box-office but the comedy is what most people remember all these years later.
When asked about Kher's performance and how often he mentions her on the film, Sridevi laughed and said she liked it. Ideally, it would have been amazing for Sridevi to do an official cameo or guest appearance in the film, to bring the house down. Alas, those days, she was shooting in remote locations outside of India during the production of Shola aur Shabnam. If only...
You can watch the film Online for a giggle.
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| Anupam Kher and Sridevi in South Delhi in 2012 |
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