My book will be about optimism and positivity: Anupam Kher

Mumbai, Nov 19 (IANS) After 'A Wednesday', actor Anupam Kher's career is going great guns. He has just given the nod to British Indian filmmaker Gurinder Chadha's new movie and has also decided to write a book about his experiences as an actor, husband, father and a socially responsible citizen.

The decision to pen his thoughts was prompted after he won the lifetime Teachers' Achievement Award Nov 8.

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'At first I was annoyed. Lifetime awards are normally given to those who have reached the end of their aspirations. But then I saw I was sharing the platform with Olympic winner Abhinav Bindra, fashion designer Manish Arora and entrepreneur Lalit Modi,' Anupam told IANS.

While Bindra, Arora and Modi were chosen for achievements in their respective fields, Anupam was given a special lifetime achievement award started this year for leadership qualities.

'It made me realise my responsibilities and urged me to share my experiences as an Indian. It won't be a straightforward memoir or autobiography. It will be an account of my own experiences in life that could help others find a motivation or to get back on the right track. Like my play 'Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai', this will be a book about optimism and positivity.'

Chadha's film, which will be Anupam's third with her, is again a cross-cultural story with a huge Indian and Caucasian cast.

'I haven't gone through the script yet. But I'm very fond of Gurinder and liked the roles she gave me in 'Bend It Like Beckham' and 'Bride & Prejudice'. In fact, her new film covers the same territory as 'Bend It Like Beckham'. It's a light cross-cultural comedy,' the actor said.

Shooting for the film starts in February-March 2009.

Tell him that Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor have said no to Gurinder's project and Anupam retorts: 'Sometimes not doing a project makes more news than doing it. I'm sure they had their reasons. I'm happy doing my own thing. I'd be the only actor to have worked thrice with Gurinder. Says something about our rapport, don't you think?'