Would love to be part of Dil Chahta Hai remake: Sikandar Kher

Actor Sikandar Kher on working with Anil Kapoor in 24, his apprenticeship with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and the things he has learnt from his parents

Actor Sikandar Kher on working with Anil Kapoor in 24, his apprenticeship with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and the things he has learnt from his parents

Sikandar Kher says he has inherited his mother Kirron Kher’s love for life and his father Anupam Kher’s sense of humour

Birthday: October 31

Place of birth: Mumbai

First break: Woodstock Villa (2008)

Currently I Am: Working on season 2 of 24, and Sense8

High point of your life: When I jumped off a tower in Auckland, New Zealand. That was the high point, literally

Low point of your life: When my films didn’t work out

You were first offered Saif Ali Khan’s role in Dil Chahta Hai (2001). Any regrets all these years later?
I was just 16 when Farhan and I had a random conversation about the film. I don’t think I could have played the role then. Kismat hoti hai. If they make the film again, I’d love to be part of it.

Did your friends poke fun at you as a child because of your name?
Yeah, I used to be called Sikandar the bandar.

An incident you remember, from your days when you were assisting Sanjay Leela Bhansali on Devdas (2002).
As a punishment, he once made me measure his entire office with a foot rule.

What cracks you up about Anil Kapoor?
That he loves himself so much. I’ve begun loving myself looking at him.

One thing about your childhood friend Abhishek Bachchan we don’t know.
He loves driving and doesn’t like being driven around by a chauffeur.

Three typical mom things Kirron Kher always tells you.
So ja raat ko time pe, khidkiyaan khuli rakho. And because my weight keeps fluctuating, it’s either ‘khaata kyun nahi tu’ or ‘arre bas bhi kar.’

Ever felt too tall to do something?
Yes, whenever I was told to become a murga in school!

If you were on Tinder, what would you bio read?
Oh, but I’m on Tinder (laughs). Actually I’m not. My bio would read: It’s all about your sense of humour, and mine is an acquired one.

Things that you’ve inherited from your parents?
From my mother, her love for life and her sensitivity. She’s vociferous, but so much fun to be around. From my father, I think it’s his sense of humour.

With 24, you’re doing TV for the first time. Two realisations from the first day on set.
It’s the most addictive thing on the planet. Also, in TV, there’s no time to take a break. There was no time to sit. I think as an actor, to sit and wait for your shot is the most annoying thing. So this was super fun as everything was bang-bang.

A role from your father’s films you wish you’d played.
Dr Dang from Karma (1986)

A cult film you lie about having watched, but haven’t actually.
I think I’ve seen Sholay (1975), but I don’t remember any of it.

My Favourites

Dialogue: Iss thappad ki goonj suni tumne…(Karma)

TV show: Game of Thrones. I’m currently watching and loving Peaky Blinders and Blindspot

Thing to do on a weekend: Chill at home and play my PS4

Pick-up line: I’m going to go for a long walk, can you please hold this? And then I pull out my hand

From HT Brunch, August 7, 2016

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