What I Achieved, No One Could in a Thousand Years: Anupam Kher on Tanvi The Great’s Box Office Run

Anupam Kher, who recently returned to directing with Tanvi The Great after a hiatus of 23 years, is now returning as an author. His fourth book, titled “Different But No Less,” was launched in Mumbai on Wednesday. The book talks about the development of Tanvi the Great, a film that faced many challenges in its production.

The book highlights the project’s hurdles, ranging from initial rejections to casting decisions, and it sheds light on the reasoning behind Anupam’s choice to make his directorial comeback on the story of an autistic girl. Anupam mentioned, “I wrote this film because I needed strength more than money to write it and then make it. That’s how this book came out, and it’s the strongest thing I have done in my life.”

The launch event was attended by Anupam’s friends, colleagues, and collaborators. Among those in attendance were filmmaker and Anupam’s longtime mentor Mahesh Bhatt, Boman Irani, who also served as the event’s host, Gajraj Rao, Anang Desai, and director Pankuj Parashar, with whom Anupam had worked on Chaalbaaz.

Mahesh Bhatt gave an emotional analysis of Anupam Kher’s journey. He said, “One of the greatest strengths of this kid, I call him a kid because when I met him he was 28, although I was only 34, but still, is his vulnerability. I don’t know any other attribute apart from vulnerability when it comes to him. And a person who cannot be vulnerable cannot be courageous. I’m proud that a journey we began all those years back has landed us in this moment. I can wholeheartedly claim, proudly, that I have contributed somewhere in his journey, and I think his flight has just begun.”

However, the film faced difficulties at the box office and was in competition with Saiyaara, a musical directed by Mohit Suri. During a discussion about the movie’s performance, Boman Irani asked Anupam about his perspective on the disappointing box office results. Anupam replied, “To everyone present here, if I had to ask you what your top three films of all time are, I’m sure nobody would even remember the box office business they did when they released. What I have achieved with this film, no other person could achieve in a hundred thousand years.”

Boman Irani humorously said that the actors, himself included, did not receive payment for their contributions to Tanvi The Great, as they were simply bringing Anupam’s vision to life, which was an expression of his passion.

Also Read: Anupam Kher wishes Kirron Kher with a special birthday post