Actor Anupam Kher.
Known for his fondness for children, Bollywood actor Anupam Kher is set to take them on a trip to rediscover their motherland. He tells Madhur Tankha about his new quiz programme under his nation-wide campaign driven by patriotic fervour.
Finding time for a noble cause despite his hectic schedule is not a difficult task for him. Versatile Bollywood actor Anupam Kher is now on a mission to inculcate nationalism among today's children.
Anupam comes from an era when India had begun to enjoy its initial years of Independence. Patriotic fervour was instilled in him at an early age. “My father was a freedom fighter and my grandfather played a major role in the struggle to make our motherland a free nation. While I and people of my age knew about the bitter struggle and sacrifices made by our stalwarts, I find that today's children have taken our freedom for granted. I know it is boring to talk about the long-drawn resistance against the British rule but we have to make them knowledgeable about this aspect of history.”
The actor says when we talk about India's rapid strides towards becoming a powerful nation, we forget the fact that it is equally important to make children aware about the richness, diversity and uniqueness of the country. “They are going to become our future leaders, economists and think-tank. They must take pride in their motherland and know its values, history and its valiant freedom fighters.”
Anupam's latest nation-wide educational campaign “Discover India” strives to trigger a transformation in the mindset of school-going children. It is aimed at strengthening their nationalistic sensitivities by exposing them to their rich heritage through a gripping quiz programme in which they will get 20 seconds to answer each question.
“It is designed to involve a large number of school children and make them aware of their country's social, cultural and historical background. I will be going to some schools and at many places I will ask questions to children through an audio visual programme. The quiz will be organised free of cost in over 2,000 schools across the country.”
Anupam's interactive television programme “Say Na Something To Anupam Uncle” showed the actor's fondness for children and his own popularity among the little ones. Remind him about the show, Anupam says he always loves children but his current campaign is for his motherland.
“It is love for my country that has motivated me to spearhead this campaign. It is on a much bigger canvas and will be a marvellous experience as children take a journey through their motherland and discover little-known things about its geography, literature and achievements in science, sports and other endeavours. I will enlighten children about the positive aspect of our country. The students will become more knowledgeable and later tell their parents a thing or two.”
Through the website we will invite queries from the public. “Already the Tourism Ministry's Incredible India is supporting our initiative.”
Making it clear that his concept of quiz is not influenced by Amitabh Bachchan's successful programme “Kaun Banega Crorepati”, Anupam says it has also not been inspired by his show “Sawal Das Crore Ka”. An appropriate rewarding structure for students and schools has also been incorporated. The mega finals that will be nationally televised will be held in Mumbai on January 26 with Anupam as the quiz master.
Critically acclaimed for his scintillating performance in Mahesh Bhatt's “Saaransh”, Anupam also touched the hearts of film lovers with his debut in “Daddy” that was also made by the former film-maker. Over the years, he has done both comic and negative roles with aplomb.
Anupam is shooting in Patiala these days for “Yamla Pagala Deewana” in which he is acting with the three Deols – Dharmendra, Sunny and Bobby. When asked to elaborate on his role, the actor took out a picture of a Sikh with a blue turban and smilingly revealed that it was him. “Besides me all the other main characters are also shown as followers of Sikhism.”
Anupam is looking forward to the release of Woody Allen film “Tall Dark Stranger” in which he plays dad to Frieda Pinto of ‘Slumdog Millionaire' fame. “I am playing a literary critic. Besides this, my next release is Jagmohan Mundra's ‘Apartment'. Then there is a children fantasy thriller and a serious movie.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment