Kher is best actor at California festival

Anupam Kher has bagged the Best Actor award at the Riverside International Film Festival, for Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara.

Jahnu Barua's film was in the competitive section of the festival, which was held in California from February 17 to 26. The other Indian entry was Pradeep Sarkar's Parineeta.

Nothing in India

Speaking from London, where he is shooting for Dharmesh Darshan's Aap Ki Khatir, Kher says, "It is ironical that the film and its actors did not even merit a nomination in any of the awards back home. But it has
been garnering honours overseas."

The film also bagged the People's Choice and Audience awards at Riverside. Kher earlier won the Best Actor award at the KARA fest, in Karachi.

"I think it was an international performance, which is why my performance has been overlooked by the people who matter in India," says Kher wryly. "It is upsetting to be left out back home."

Kher says awards ceremonies have become television events, "so they need stars. I don't fit in. Stars are nominated even in supporting actor and comic categories."

Best ever

He rates his performance in Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara as his best. "This film is even dearer to me than Saaransh. During Saaransh, I was a nobody, but for Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara, I had to shed the Anupam Kher image to portray Professor Chaudhary."