TORONTO: Veteran actor Anupam Kher wonders why great films on India are being made only by foreigners.
In Toronto for the premiere of Hotel Mumbai, Australian director Anthony Maras’ debut feature film on the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, Kher said, “This is fascinating that the film Gandhi was made by a foreigner. Now this (Hotel Mumbai) film has also been made by a foreigner. Thank you, Anthony, for making this movie. This film is a tribute to everybody who has lost a dear one anywhere in the world.’’
Without naming, Kher said, “Somebody made a film on it (Mumbai terror attacks), but it was atrocious. That person wanted to cash in on the tragedy.’’
But Anthony’s Hotel Mumbai `humanizes’ the tragedy that Mumbai went through 10 years, Kher added.
The actor said, “The Taj Palace Hotel is not just another hotel. It is an icon’‘ and its owner — Tatas — are a respectable name not just in India but also around the world, he said.
At the press conference, Kher revealed that Hotel Mumbai is 501film of his career. As he was congratulated by the cast, the veteran actor said even his mother asked him for the first time as to how he did so many films.
“Hotel Mumbai is my 501 film. My mother, who is 85, says: How did I do it?’’ said Kher.
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