GUWAHATI, Jan 14 � �I had a humble background and hailed from a small town but that did not deter me from dreaming big�even in the face of heavy odds, my perseverance ultimately paid off.�
Eminent actor Anupam Kher made this observation while speaking at the launch of his bestseller The Best Thing About You Is...You!! at a function at the Chief Minister's conference hall today.
Drawing from his initial years in Mumbai which were full of struggle, Kher said that self-belief held the key to realising one's goals - no matter how tough the going was.
�Having self-confidence and being yourself is the most important thing� society tries to frighten you with your own convictions. One need not be ashamed of failures, as the power of failure is that it helps to shed your fears. More lessons are to be learnt from failure than success. Dealing with failure successfully has become the mantra of my life,� Kher said.
Tracing the genesis of his book to his one-man autobiographical play Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai, Kher said that he never realized the power of failure till he staged the play in 2005, �in which I laug-hed at my reverses.�
Another defining moment in his life, Kher said, came when he defied doctor's advice to act (while still suffering from facial-paralysis) in the blockbuster Hum Aapke Hain Kaun.
Expressing happiness at his book turning out to be a bestseller in ten days� time, Kher -- who has essayed over 450 films and television plays -- said that it was an attempt at sharing �the thoughts close to my heart with more people through the book.�
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi who formally launched the book along with acclaimed filmmaker Jahnu Barua said that it was pluck and not luck that could bring in dividends.
�I don't believe in luck. It is a combination of hard work, sincerity and commitment that helps you to tackle the challenges of life,� Gogoi said.
Gogoi said most great men who had faced adverssities in life emerged stronger and carved a niche for themselves. �Be honest and sincere in what you do in life and the rest will follow suit,� he said.
Gogoi said that though he came from a nondescript village and had to struggle hard, he did not give up and went on to realise the dreams of his life. �Failures must not deter one. One must learn from mistakes. One must have the guts to face the challenges to cope with life,� he said.
Jahnu Barua, in his address, stressed the need for inculcating self-belief in oneself for translating one's dreams into reality. Barua who worked with Kher in his film Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara said that Kher believed in the script of the film and perfected the role in such a way that �without whom this film would not have been completed.�
The book release function was organised by Friends of Tribal Society, Guwahati chapter.
The Best Thing About You Is...You!! is being brought out by Hay House.
