Anupam Kher to star in Hollywood film based on 26/11 terror attacks

Anupam Kher

Veteran actor Anupam Kher is set to star in his 501st film, titled ‘Hotel Mumbai’, which talks about people of all races, colours and creeds binding together in a fight for survival. The film also stars Jason Isaacs, Armie Hammer and Dev Patel.

‘Hotel Mumbai’ is based on a true story of victims and survivors of the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai. Parts of the film will be shot in the south Australian city of Adelaide, where the makers have re-created the hotel.

In the film, Kher essays the character of celebrity chef Hemant Oberoi, who kept the kitchen running and serving guests while the Taj Mahal Hotel was under attack. While talking to a leading daily about his role, the actor said, “It is not an autobiographical work. It is about what unfolded in those 68 hours at the hotel. It is a story of courage of the people who were working there.”

“Hotel Mumbai’ is my 501st film. I am treating it as my first film post the interval of my career. I have no Bollywood projects in hand at the moment. I hope to be back with a bang after a break,” he added.

The film is inspired by documentary filmmaker Andrew Ogilvie’s ‘Surviving Mumbai’ and is being helmed by Anthony Maras.

Anupam has international projects like ‘Bend It Like Beckham’, ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ and ‘The Other End’ of the Line to his credit. He has also featured in the film ‘The Headhunter’s Calling’ with globally known names like Gerard Butler, William Defoe and Alfred Molina, and ‘The Big Sick’ with actors Holly Hunter, Zoe Kazan and Ray Romano. Both films will be released next year.