Some actors make us feel that we are watching a movie. With their authentic and real rawness, they take us into the movie and make it feel that it’s all real! Sikandar Kher is one among them. His love for acting grew since childhood and ever since then he has been exploring, proving and winning hearts in the industry. From what makes him happy on Christmas, to hurdles and challenges in life, Meet Sikandar Kher – up close & personal!
- When and how did the passion for acting grow in you?
Having grown up in a film family where most conversations revolve around films and acts, I have always loved and wanted to be a part of it. At one point, I wanted to be an air force pilot, but then I dropped it and realized my true passion lies in acting. Back in those days, I used to spend a lot of our days in the homes of family friends’ homes who were from the film fraternity and all our days of the week in their house, breathing and living for acting. I even used to go to my father’s shooting set and maybe all of these worked as a catalyst in making me want to be an actor. I think naturally, in my mind, I started drifting toward the performing arts from a very young age.
- What does success mean to you? What do you consider a successful moment in your life so far?
I mean, success is life here for me. Generally speaking, every day small, little triumphs are a success. I don’t talk about it career-wise. A career is a small part, but being able to be an actor in itself is a success for me. I get a chance to do a job creatively, and I get to do something that I love. Creatively, I get to pursue that as my career. I think that is a great success in itself. I look forward to going to work. Work doesn’t seem like work. It seems like almost all the time. It’s just absolutely, extremely fulfilling. So I think that is pretty much the best example that I could give you of success.
- What kind of roles do you aspire to play? Is there any character from movies/series that impacted you very much?
There are so many amazing performances in the world, but yeah, I mean, I’ve gotten a chance to play a lot of different kinds of characters and I hope I get a chance to play even more different kinds of characters in the coming future. If there is something I have not done yet, it would be a horror comedy. But I can only count the things I’ve not done that I would like to do at one point. I aspire to have done every single genre available in the world. So, yeah, what do I aspire to do? Every single genre there is!
- ‘Monica, O My Darling’ is a hit! Tell us about your experience working with the team and any memorable moments from the set.
I am so grateful to everyone for loving ‘Monica, O My Darling’ so much. Also, thank you for giving my character so much love. My experience was great! Vasan Bala, the director of the movie, is such a gentleman- good, kind hearted, and soft-spoken and the working experience is exactly the way the director is. Because the director is actually the leader. He is the captain of the ship. He is the one that decides how everything will be. And his mood and his energy are so lovely and positive that everybody around naturally gets affected by it. We had a super crew of such amazing people and such amazing talents, wonderful co-actors that the entire experience was just fantastic!
- What are you grateful for in the year 2022?
It’s been a tough two-three years for the whole world. I’m just grateful that we are all healthy and by the grace of God in safe places. Look at what is happening around the world, not only COVID but other things but regardless of all those struggles here we are! Just completely grateful for that.
- Do you have a New Year’s Resolution? If yes, what is it; if no, why not?
There are certain goals that I set for myself throughout the year. Giving it a word, a resolution on principle, then it’s like you gotta stick to it no matter what. Which is why I don’t do that. Nothing is permanent, nothing is constant in this world. So I don’t believe in making some resolution that I don’t follow through on. But I try to work on myself. I practice always attempting and trying and questioning things.
- Tell us the things that make you a happy man during Christmas.
Lights. I always like it when things are lit up. Beautiful festivals bring around happiness and you can feel the energy and love all around. Naturally, I feel the actual energy of the city and of the people changes, it becomes more positive and happier. It’s a festive time, like Diwali. It’s so lovely. It just naturally feels nicer. And it is because the human energies are so positive, celebrations are just infectious. It just actually does translate into the air. So I love that. The third thing is that Santa Claus comes home at night and eats cookies.
- Hurdles and challenges are part of life. What are your takeaways from it and how do you push yourself to chase your dreams every single day?
Life itself is a challenge so I’ll only be able to tell you at the end of it. I’m extremely fortunate as to where I am, and where I’ve been born. And I always look at life just completely trying to be more grateful about what I have rather than what I want, and just trying to be kind to all human beings, especially the ones that possibly can’t talk back to people, animals -they are the most beautiful things. So if you can spend as much time with animals as you can, and in nature, I think you will be a lot happier.
- What are the future projects in your pipeline?
There’s Monkey Man on Netflix. There are two other films by Neeraj Panday. There is another show on MX Player called Three Years Old by Ravi Jadhav which has Jackie Shroff in it. Looking forward to it all!
- Favourite vacation spot? Manhattan
- Favourite drink? Water and Nimbhu Pani
- If I had unlimited money, I would… cash rewards to people who punish women and animal abusers.
- Favourite movie of mine (which I was a part of) is ….. It’s unfair for me to pick one as I had learned a lot from each movie and each director I have worked with. Every single one of them has left me with wonderful memories and great experiences.
- Favourite music on loop currently… Bon Jovi, AP Dhillon
- My breakfast is incomplete without….Go out, see the sun & go for cardio before that!
