Anupam Kher revisits his 1981 Mumbai journey with emotional throwback photos: 'Dreams are strange, They don't come true because you merely wish for them'
ETimes | July 24, 2026 3:39 PM CST
Anupam Kher took a nostalgic trip down memory lane by sharing photographs from his very first portfolio shoot after arriving in Mumbai in 1981. The veteran actor accompanied the black-and-white images with an emotional note, recalling the struggles, insecurities and unwavering determination that shaped his journey in the film industry. Posting the throwback pictures on Instagram, Kher revealed that he was only 25 when he reached Mumbai from Shimla with nothing but dreams and confidence in his acting abilities.
He wrote, "These are photographs from the very first portfolio I shot after arriving in Mumbai in 1981. I was 25 years old. A young man from Shimla with a suitcase full of dreams and a heart full of belief."
Sharing his thoughts, Kher said, "The city was enormous. It could make you feel like a tiny drop in a vast ocean. Every face looked more confident, every street seemed to be moving faster than my dreams. There were days when my premature balding bothered me. I wondered if people would see my hair before they saw my talent. But then I would remind myself of one thing… I knew my craft."
He further added, "The National School of Drama had given me confidence. Life had given me hunger. And hunger, when it is backed by hard work, becomes a powerful force."
Anupam Kher's message about perseveranceKher also addressed the question he has often been asked throughout his career about whether he always believed he would become successful. According to the actor, certainty was never part of his journey, but giving up was never an option either.
He wrote, "People often ask me, 'Did you know you would make it?' No. I didn’t know. But I knew I would never stop trying."
Encouraging dreamers to remain committed to their goals, he added, "Dreams are strange. They don’t come true because you merely wish for them. They come true because you wake up every morning, work on them relentlessly, survive rejection, silence your fears, and keep showing up. If you truly believe in your dream, your dream slowly begins to believe in you."
Concluding the heartfelt note, the actor reflected on the young man in the photographs, saying he no longer sees someone struggling but someone who stayed true to his dreams despite every challenge. Kher ended his post with the words, "Looking at these photographs today, I don’t see a struggling actor. I see a young man who refused to negotiate with his dreams. And for that 25-year-old boy, I have only one thing to say… 'Thank you for not giving up.'"
Anupam Kher's work front
On the work front, Anupam Kher continues to remain active in both films and other creative projects. He will next be seen in ' Khosla Ka Ghosla 2', the sequel to the much-loved 2006 film directed by Dibakar Banerjee. The original film remains a cult favourite for its relatable storytelling, humour and strong ensemble performances. In addition to this, Kher also has several other projects in the pipeline, including the upcoming film 'Fauzi', which stars actor Prabhas in a key role.
He wrote, "These are photographs from the very first portfolio I shot after arriving in Mumbai in 1981. I was 25 years old. A young man from Shimla with a suitcase full of dreams and a heart full of belief."
Anupam Kher on battling self-doubt with confidenceThe actor reflected on how overwhelming Mumbai felt in those early days. He admitted that his premature balding often made him wonder whether people would notice his appearance before recognising his talent. However, he drew strength from the training he received at the National School of Drama and his determination to succeed.
Sharing his thoughts, Kher said, "The city was enormous. It could make you feel like a tiny drop in a vast ocean. Every face looked more confident, every street seemed to be moving faster than my dreams. There were days when my premature balding bothered me. I wondered if people would see my hair before they saw my talent. But then I would remind myself of one thing… I knew my craft."
He further added, "The National School of Drama had given me confidence. Life had given me hunger. And hunger, when it is backed by hard work, becomes a powerful force."
Anupam Kher's message about perseveranceKher also addressed the question he has often been asked throughout his career about whether he always believed he would become successful. According to the actor, certainty was never part of his journey, but giving up was never an option either.
He wrote, "People often ask me, 'Did you know you would make it?' No. I didn’t know. But I knew I would never stop trying."
Encouraging dreamers to remain committed to their goals, he added, "Dreams are strange. They don’t come true because you merely wish for them. They come true because you wake up every morning, work on them relentlessly, survive rejection, silence your fears, and keep showing up. If you truly believe in your dream, your dream slowly begins to believe in you."
Concluding the heartfelt note, the actor reflected on the young man in the photographs, saying he no longer sees someone struggling but someone who stayed true to his dreams despite every challenge. Kher ended his post with the words, "Looking at these photographs today, I don’t see a struggling actor. I see a young man who refused to negotiate with his dreams. And for that 25-year-old boy, I have only one thing to say… 'Thank you for not giving up.'"
Anupam Kher's work front
On the work front, Anupam Kher continues to remain active in both films and other creative projects. He will next be seen in ' Khosla Ka Ghosla 2', the sequel to the much-loved 2006 film directed by Dibakar Banerjee. The original film remains a cult favourite for its relatable storytelling, humour and strong ensemble performances. In addition to this, Kher also has several other projects in the pipeline, including the upcoming film 'Fauzi', which stars actor Prabhas in a key role.
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