“This is not a passing phase, it’s a movement” – Kher pledges support to Hazare

By Bollywood Hungama -

April 11, 2011 - 12:00 AM IST

“This is not a passing phase, it’s a movement” – Kher pledges support to Hazare

Anupam Kher is jubilant now that Anna Hazare has won his fight to bring the government around.

"This is the greatest victory for Indian democracy since independence," said Anupam joyously. "But this is just the beginning. I am ready to carry on the fight as one of Anna Saab's soldiers even if it requires me to cancel my other commitments."

Last week Anupam Kher was shooting in Pune for a Marathi film when he suddenly announced he had to leave for Delhi. Everyone at the shooting thought there was a family emergency... but no. On an impulse, he decided to fly down to Delhi to join Anna Hazare for his fast-unto-death at the Jantar Mantar.

Anupam has cancelled all his other engagements for Anna Hazare. He feels this cause to save the nation is far more important than his own personal activities.

"Screen pe leader aur neta bahut ban ke dekh liya. I wanted to feel alive by being close to a real crusader. Anna Hazare is a god-sent saviour," Anupam says emotionally. "The only time I felt so close to divinity was when I met Mother Teresa."

At the venue of what promises to be the biggest congregation of protestors to have gathered at one place Anupam brought the house down with his rendition of the old classic 'Kissiki Muskurahaton Pe Ho Nissar...Jeena Ussi Ka Naam Hai'.

Says the actor-activist, "Thousands of people were there to support Anna Hazare's fight to the finish against corruption. They were all singing and inspiring one another. I've never felt better about my life."

The shooting of Anupam's film in Pune had to be cancelled to accommodate his air-dash to be near Anna Hazare in Delhi.

"And quite happily so. My director and the entire team were with me on this," says Anupam from Delhi. "I think we need to stop thinking about our narrow interests, about our own disrupted schedules and crashed Blackberrys when the whole nation's rhythm has been disrupted and crashed by corrupt practices."

Prominent members of his own fraternity are now busy accusing Anupam of joining Anna Hazare for publicity.

Scoffs Anupam, "I couldn't be bothered any less by such accusations. People who talk with such shameless cynicism are the fence-sitters. Kuch karenge nahin aur doosron ko karne nahin denge. If I have a face and a name, I'd like to use it to improve the quality of our lives. For a long time my conscience kept troubling me about the rampant corruption in our country. Now when I saw the passion that Anna Hazare evoked, I simply rushed to his side on an impulse. People can make what they like of my gesture. I will continue to be seen by Anna Hazare's side. I'd rather be there fighting to save our country than sit at home tweeting about Anna Hazare's wonderful crusade."

Anupam would like more people from his fraternity to join Anna Hazare's movement. "I was happy to see Shahid Kapoor and Ritesh Deshmukh's tweet in support of Anna Hazare. But I joined him in Delhi in my individual capacity, not as a member of the film industry. It is up to the individual to do what his or her conscience tells him."

Anupam has pledged complete allegiance to Anna Hazare. "It took this one frail but determined man to get us out of our state of stupor that we collectively find ourselves in this country. India is capable of being a super-power in the near future...if only our corrupt politicians would not bring our morale and image down. Corruption in our country has acquired vulgar proportions."

Anupam has pledged all the time and attention that Anna Hazare needs. "This is a not a passing phase where people will light candles and get on with their lives. I am at Hazare Saab's disposal. Any time, anything he needs, I am there. I don't think we've had a leader with such a persuasive and all-pervasive impact since Mahatma Gandhi. Ironically, Gandhiji fought to get rid of destructive forces from outside the country while Anna Hazare is fighting the forces from within our country that are destroying our nation."

Anupam refuses to be cowed down by cynics and naysayers. "I don't belong to any political party. I don't have a political ideology. I go by what my heart tells me is right. No power on earth can stop me from doing that. Sadly there are people in our country who won't do anything to change the tragic status quo, nor allow anyone else to do it."

But Anupam couldn't care less about what the cynics think. On Sunday afternoon he left for Pune with security provided by the government to shoot for Pramod Gajanan Joshi's Hindi-Marathi bi-lingual Chhodo Kal Ki Baatein. There was round-the-clock security at his home as well.

Said Anupam, "I am not the least worried about myself. I am going about my work as per schedule. But my old parents who don't live with me in Mumbai and my close friends who are not from the film industry are concerned. That bothers me. I don't want my near and dear ones to lose sleep over me."