By: Entertainment DeskChennai | September 23, 2025 08:05 AM IST 4 min readAnupam Kher recalls almost being replaced by Sanjeev Kumar in debut film Saaransh at Expresso. (Pic: SCREEN)Actor Anupam Kher graced the latest edition of Expresso at The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai. In an extensive conversation, the veteran actor opened up about his tough beginning in the Hindi film industry, his strong and vocal political beliefs, and how they often paint a picture of him being associated with the BJP. He also reflected on how he was almost replaced by Sanjeev Kumar in his debut film Saaransh.Anupam Kher, who has never shied away from expressing his political views, spoke about how audiences perceive his political image in a conversation with Anant Goenka, Executive Director, Indian Express Group. The actor said, “People confuse anybody who is talking about India that he wants to join politics. I was born in 1955 and India was born on 1947. I always say that I am 8 years younger to India. We both grew up together. I had post-independence blues in school and college. So, I was a born nationalist, now they say nationalist is different from being patriotic but I don’t understand that. I speak in favour of India without worrying about consequences and people confuse that with me being in politics. This happened only after 2014 when we became very open about our likings and dislikes.”Admitting that he is often called a “BJP man” for being vocal about his views, the actor added, “It doesn’t bother me now. People say, ‘BJP ka aadmi hai’ but I have no shame in being a loyal Indian. I feel proud when somebody praises India and I have been like this since forever. I am passionate about my country because we have grown up together.”When asked about the last time he disagreed with a decision taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kher responded, “I think he’s a great leader. We have disagreements even with our fathers and friends, but it doesn’t mean disrespecting that person. I go by the intention of the person. I feel protective towards him, he has so many enemy, yet he continues to work for the country.”The actor also recalled his early struggles before landing his first film — Mahesh Bhatt’s Saaransh. He revealed that even that project almost slipped away when the producer decided to cast Sanjeev Kumar, one of the most respected stars of that era, instead of him.Also read | NHRC demands action against Ranbir Kapoor, Netflix and Gauri Khan as actor seen vaping in Aryan Khan’s The Ba***ds of BollywoodAnupam remembered packing his bags and preparing to leave Mumbai. Before doing so, he went to Mahesh Bhatt to confront him, “I told Mahesh Bhatt, ‘Can you see that cab, it has my luggage. I’m leaving the city but before I leave it, I want to tell you, you are the biggest fraud on this earth. You are the biggest cheat on this earth. You are making a film about truth, and you don’t have the truth in you.” After hearing Kher share his frustration, Bhatt decided to retain him in the film and even defended his casting infront of the producer.The SCREEN ‘EXPRESSO’ session featuring Anupam Kher will be available for viewing on the YouTube channels of The Indian Express from 8 pm on Tuesday, September 23. The event was presented by AU Small Finance Bank, in association with- The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai. It was supported by Tehri Mahashakti TMT, with Chambers of Kartik Seth as knowledge partners, and HS Rugs as design partners.Story continues below this ad Anupam Kher attended Expresso.In a span of 35 years, Anupam has appeared in over 540 films and 100 plays, including films such as Saaransh, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Karma, Khosla Ka Ghosla, A Wednesday, Special 26, Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara, The Kashmir Files and The Accidental Prime Minister. In 2025, he played pivotal roles in projects like Emergency, Tumko Meri Kasam, Metro In Dino and Tanvi the Great, which he also directed.Since its inception in 1951, SCREEN has been a significant voice in Indian entertainment. The iconic film magazine made a comeback in digital format in October, 2024.Click here to follow Screen Digital on YouTube and stay updated with the latest from the world of cinema.© IE Online Media Services Pvt LtdTags:Anupam Kher