A special release of Anupam Kher’s autobiography “Lessons Life Taught Me, Unknowingly” was held at the Consulate General of India in New York.
Rishi Kapoor, Anupam Kher’s longtime friend and fellow actor, alongside his wife, Neetu Kapoor, and Kher’s fellow cast members from “New Amsterdam”, presented Anupam Kher’s autobiography. The book, “Lessons Life Taught Me, Unknowingly”, recounts the lessons Kher has learned through the failures he has experienced throughout his life and career. Kher spoke about why he decided to focus on the failures instead of his successes. “Success to me is very boring, it’s very one-dimensional. Failure is multi-dimensional, it’s so amazing… What I am today is because of my failures, ” said Anupam. From his first audition to his first romance, his failures and rejections through his life have shaped him into the person he is today. He spoke about his humble beginnings and how even though he grew up poor, he had never grown up unhappy. He shared with everyone how he has grown to love life and thanked several people in attendance who have helped him, from his good friend Rishi Kapoor to the man who gave him a place to stay in New York to the doctors that helped heal him.
Following his introductory speech, Anupam, along with fellow New Amsterdam cast members Janet Montgomery and Dierdre Friel read excerpts from the autobiography. Afterward, Rishi Kapoor spoke about Anupam, “He’s always been a great actor; film, stage, he’s been a teacher, producer, director, various aspects, and a lovely human being. It’s always a joy to be with him, he’s always cracking up, making you laugh and we are always so happy to be with him,” said Kapoor. Ryan Eggold also came up to say a few words about Anupam, “I think the thing I admire and love most about Anupam is that he managed to remain a child. And if you don’t believe me, you can take a look at the cover of this book, you will see a five-year-old boy doing an impression a man on the cover of his own biography,” said Eggold, “But Anupam embodies those magic qualities of innocence, curiosity about life, playfulness, humor, and finding genuine joy in the world and in other
people.”
From humble beginnings, Anupam Kher has woven an amazing career over the span of 30+ years, garnering not only success but also the love and respect of his peers from all over the world. His life story as well as the lessons he has learned and the failures he has fought through serves as an inspiration for anyone. As Sandeep Chakravorty, India’s Consul General said during the ceremony, “He has had very humble beginnings and fought his way through life, inspiring many to be proud of their struggles and shortcomings.”
“Lessons Life Taught Me, Unknowingly” is available now in India and will be available in the U.S. on October 15th. Also, check out the full Livestream of the event below!