‘That little fear still walks beside me’: Anupam Kher on feeling nervous before every theatre performance, calls it a blessing

Stage fright and pre-show jitters are often viewed as hurdles exclusive to newcomers, with audiences naturally assuming that seasoned veterans remain completely immune to performance anxiety. However, even decades of spotlight experience cannot entirely erase that familiar, stomach-churning nervousness before the curtains rise. Veteran actor Anupam Kher recently challenged this popular misconception in a candid post on X, admitting that a lingering sense of fear still accompanies him prior to every theatre performance. Far from seeing this lingering anxiety as a handicap, Kher views his persistent stage nervousness as a true blessing that keeps his passion, sharp focus, and live craft alive.

Fear and doubt before the curtains rise

The video showcased Anupam Kher walking through the backstage corridor, making his way to the stage for his theatre performance, Jaane Pehchaane Anjane in Dallas, Texas. He was decked up in a stylish pastel-hued suit and a white dhoti.

In his heartfelt write-up accompanying the clip, Anupam Kher reflected on the uniquely solitary experience of a theatre actor walking from backstage to the stage. He described those few moments before the performance as intensely personal, when an actor is left alone with their thoughts, doubts and nervousness, with the awareness of their own heartbeat making the anticipation even more pronounced.


Kher explained that several questions can run through an actor’s mind in those final moments. There is always the possibility of forgetting a line, failing to establish a connection with the audience or simply feeling that the performance is not going as expected. To overcome these apprehensions, an actor must regain focus, take a deep breath and surrender to the moment rather than allowing fear to take control.

Every new audience brings fresh beginnings

Despite having spent 41 years working in films and recently beginning work on his 555th movie, Kher said his extensive experience has not eliminated these feelings. Having faced the camera thousands of times and performed for audiences across the globe, he still experiences a familiar sense of nervous anticipation each time he prepares to walk onto a theatre stage. For him, that lingering fear remains a constant companion, regardless of how much experience he has accumulated over the years.

Rather than considering this nervousness a weakness, Kher sees it as something valuable. He believes that an actor who completely loses the ability to feel nervous could eventually become complacent and begin taking both the audience and the art of acting for granted. In his view, fear serves as a reminder to remain humble and respect every performance. No matter how experienced an actor becomes, each new audience brings a fresh beginning and demands the same level of presence and commitment.

Once the actor finally steps onto the stage, however, the emotional landscape begins to change. The presence of the lights and the audience gradually transforms apprehension into concentration and nervousness into creative energy. What begins as a solitary and uncertain walk ultimately becomes a deeply rewarding collective experience, allowing the actor and audience to share the unique magic of live theatre.