Of all the people in the world, there is a certainty that Anupam Kher is a die-hard fan of at least two people. One is Narendra Modi (and the BJP) and the other is Robert De Niro. On many instances, Anupam has expressed his fan boy moment for Robert De Niro, with whom he also worked in the 2012 Silver Linings Playbook movie. Anupam actually had tears of joy when he met De Niro for the first time during the start of shoot of Silver Linings Playbook.

Very recently, Samdish and Anupam sat for a podcast and the two chatted on many aspects, one of which was Kher’s devoted admiration of Robert De Niro.

Samdish jokingly teased Anupam Kher by saying “You are a De Niro, worshipper.” Kher admitted he was enjoying the compliment right up to the point where Samdish added the word “worshipper” — and that’s when he felt gutted!

Anupam talked on his infatuation for the Hollywood Legend to the extent that even after years of friendship, he still goes back and reads De Niro’s messages on his phone, often feeling amazed that he has such personal communication with him. Anupam fondly refers to De Niro as his friend, something he continues to cherish.

Samdish: “You are Bob’s fan.”

Anupam: “I was Bob’s fan. And now I am Bob’s friend.”

Samdish: “Being liked by him means a lot to you!”

Anupam: “It means the world to me. I have messages from Bob on my phone. I keep reading them and wonder how lucky I am.”
— Conversation between Anupam Kher and Samdish

For the people who don’t know, Anupam has been a childhood fan of De Niro but got the chance to meet him only in 2011 when an ensemble cast was hired for the film Silver Linings Playbook. Interestingly, the start of their professional collab was not ideal. Robert De Niro apparently wanted Anupam Kher out of one scene from the movie of Silver Linings Playbook, as he believed that Anupam’s presence would hinder (or overpower!) his own character. If reports are to be believed, Anupam gave a piece of his mind to the directors and explained to them why he needed to be in that particular scene. De Niro eventually agreed.

The friendship between the two have blossomed over the years even if their public appearances together have been limited.

Seeing Anupam’s admiration for Robert De Niro, Samdish jokingly asked Anupam Kher whether he ever wanted to kiss De Niro, to which he replied “No No. I have normal tendencies………..Looking at him is sufficient, talking and spending time with him is sufficient.”