Raju Kher recalls tough career phase after selling his house, says he expected Anupam Kher to help but ‘he did not help me out’; reveals how 2000 changed his life

Actor-director Raju Kher has opened up about a difficult chapter in his life and recalled how the financial and professional challenges he faced around 2000 changed his perspective on his relationship with his elder brother, veteran actor Anupam Kher.

Raju revealed that during the challenging period, he had expected Anupam to help him financially. However, he later understood that his brother was also dealing with his own professional and personal concerns at the time.

Raju Kher Sold His House, Invested Money In TV Project

Raju recalled selling his house because he needed money to invest in the launch of a new television channel. He used the money from the sale to invest in a programme that was being developed for the channel.


“There was a time when I was going through a bad phase. I had sold my house because a new channel was coming, so I had bought a flat elsewhere. A new channel was going to launch and many people were making pilots, agreements were already signed. I also made a programme ‘Life Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega’,” he shared in an interview with Siddharth Kannan.

The actor-director said he believed his family's financial future was secure after selling his house and investing the proceeds in the project. However, his plans didn’t go as planned because the channel suddenly disappeared.

“Suddenly, I got to know that the channel has disappeared. I had invested the money that I got from selling the flat in that programme. I thought that I had a first-class life, a 4-BHK house, everything set for the family. And then, the channel disappeared and no one knew what happened.. there was just a lock on their door.”

Raju Expected Anupam Kher To Help Him Financially

With his work affected and the pressure of paying rent increased, Raju said he felt he had no one else to turn to and expected his elder brother to support him.

However, Anupam was also facing uncertainty in his career. Raju recalled that his brother had stopped taking up certain projects because he wanted to wait for more substantial roles.

“I also felt the pressure to pay the rent. I had no one else, I could only talk to my brother, and I thought he will help me. But at that time, he had also stopped working. The reason was that he didn’t want to do any of those weird films, he wanted substantial roles. So, I felt that my brother did not help me out. ‘He could have done so,’ that was my thought at that time.”

Magazine Interview Changed Raju's Perspective

Raju said his outlook changed after he happened to read an interview with Anupam in a magazine. A comment made by his brother made him realise that he had been viewing Anupam primarily through the lens of his financial success and had not considered the personal struggles he may have been facing.

“Then, I was reading a magazine on the toilet. In the interview, Anupam Kher had said, ‘I wish I had my own child’. Although, he considers Sikander his own child. But then I never thought about my brother in that light. We took him for granted, thinking he doesn’t have any problems because he was doing well financially. We never thought that what was going on in his life.”

‘Year 2000 Changed My Whole Life’: Raju Kher

Raju described the year 2000 as a defining moment that changed his outlook towards life and relationships. He said the experience taught him to consider another person's circumstances before expecting them to help.

“That was the thing that changed the whole concept of my life. Have expectations but don’t do it like that. Try to find out what is going in the other person’s life as well. I am talking about the year 2000, the year that changed my whole life, my thinking. On that day, I stopped expecting anything from anyone, no matter who it is.”

Raju Kher Tried Rituals, Prayers During Difficult Phase

Raju also recalled how the lack of work added to his difficulties. During that period, he said people advised him to try different remedies, including wearing certain rings and performing rituals and prayers.

“When your time is bad, your expenses tend to increase. Some suggested wearing certain rings, doing rituals, prayers, I got those done too. Work had also stopped coming. After a few months, I told my wife that we should trust in God, let’s see what happens, and I removed all the rings. The next day, I got a call for work. I got an offer for a TV serial. I instantly agreed and told them to pay whatever they want. Life started again,” he concluded.

Anupam Kher Had Earlier Spoken About Supporting Raju

Earlier this year, Anupam Kher also spoke about his relationship with his younger brother Raju during an interaction with the Zindagi with Richa YouTube channel.

Anupam said he had financially supported Raju over the years and had never kept a record of how much money he had given him. He also praised his wife, actor-politician Kirron Kher, for never questioning his decision to help his brother.

“If every brother remembers what they were like when they were young, there would be no fight. I look at my life like it’s a film. How can I forget that we grew up together? I must also compliment Kirron (Kher, wife), because she never, ever asked me, ‘Why do you do so much for your brother?’ That’s how problems begin. I would sign cheques for Raju, the household, and other things… I told my manager long ago, ‘Remember one thing in life, never ask me how much money I’m giving to my brother’.”

[With TOI inputs]