Anupam Kher Says He Felt ‘Honoured & Humbled’ Standing Beside Armed Forces Chiefs at Rashtrapati Bhavan
New Delhi, Aug 19: Veteran actor Anupam Kher expressed his heartfelt gratitude and pride after attending the 79th Independence Day at-home reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan, hosted by President Droupadi Murmu.
The prestigious gathering saw the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers, foreign envoys, and the chiefs of India’s three armed forces, alongside Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan.
Kher Shares “Coolest Pics” with Armed Forces Chiefs
Taking to Instagram, Anupam Kher posted two unseen photographs with the four top commanders of India’s military — General Anil Chauhan (CDS), General Upendra Dwivedi (Army), Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh (Air Force), and Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi (Navy).
In a heartfelt caption, Kher wrote:
“COOLEST PICS: If ever in my life ‘PRIDE’ could be described in pics, then these TWO pictures should do that! To stand next to the three CHIEFS of our #ArmedForces and to also have a pic with the #ChiefOfDefenceStaff is what being #PROUD looks like! Thank you… I feel honoured and humbled standing next to the REAL HEROES! Jai Hind!”
His words quickly resonated with fans, many of whom praised the actor for acknowledging India’s defence leadership.
Why the Moment Matters
Independence Day at Rashtrapati Bhavan is more than a ceremonial event; it reflects national unity and respect for India’s institutions. By sharing the stage with the armed forces’ top brass, Kher highlighted the role of cinema figures in bridging the gap between the cultural and defence spheres.
For millions of followers, Kher’s post was not just about celebrity glamour but about paying tribute to the “real heroes”—the men and women safeguarding India’s sovereignty.
From Reel Life to Real Pride
The actor is no stranger to patriotic roles on-screen, but his Instagram tribute brought a deeply personal tone. His presence at the event underscores the intersection of cinema, culture, and national pride.
Observers note that at a time when Bollywood is increasingly engaging with stories of national security and history, Kher’s remarks struck a chord beyond the film industry.
Work Front: Playing Mahatma Gandhi in The Bengal Files
Amid his patriotic reflections, Anupam Kher continues to stay in the spotlight professionally. After the success of his directorial Tanvi The Great, Kher is set to appear as Mahatma Gandhi in Vivek Agnihotri’s highly anticipated film The Bengal Files.
The actor revealed that his transformation into Gandhi was achieved without the use of prosthetics.
Posting his first look on social media, dressed in Gandhi’s signature attire with glasses, a dhoti, shawl, and wooden stick, Kher wrote:
“Some roles change your thoughts, your habits, your inner self. Playing #GandhiJi is one such role. Sharing it with you all for the first time my character from @vivekagnihotri's #TheBengalFiles! No prosthetics was used here! Jai Hind!”
The Bengal Files – Third in the “Files” Trilogy
Scheduled to release on September 5, The Bengal Files features an ensemble cast including Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumar, Puneet Issar, and Saswata Chatterjee.
The film marks the third installment in Agnihotri’s “Files” trilogy, following The Tashkent Files (2019) and The Kashmir Files (2022).
Industry insiders note that portraying Gandhi could be one of the most challenging and defining roles of Kher’s career.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
Anupam Kher’s Independence Day reflections show how cinema’s leading figures continue to draw inspiration from India’s defence forces, bridging patriotism and popular culture.
As he prepares to embody Gandhi on-screen, Kher’s real-life tribute at Rashtrapati Bhavan adds another layer to his journey — from actor and director to cultural ambassador of Indian pride.
His words capture the sentiment of millions: in a world of reel heroes, it is the armed forces who remain India’s true protectors.