Anupam Kher and Mahesh Bhatt go a long way back and their association goes beyond films. The veteran actor started his prolific Bollywood career at the age of 28 playing the role of a 65-year-old retired school teacher in his debut film Saaransh which was directed by Mahesh Bhatt. The talented actor pulled off the difficult role with sensitivity and did not bother about the naysayers who doubted his caliber in essaying a role that was thrice his age. He bagged the Best Film Actor for Filmfare in 1984, for his path-breaking performance.

Not many know that the now international star and the veteran filmmaker are immensely fond of each other to the extent that Anupam follows a tradition of giving away a small amount from each of his projects to the director. He has been following this tradition of ‘Guru Dakshina’ for the past 30 years as a token of appreciation. The actor has been consulting Bhatt for all the important and professional choices in his life. Anupam who is shooting for his upcoming British show, revently presented a fifty-pound note to Bhatt as a token of his gratitude.

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Anupam, who is a recognized figure not only in Bollywood but also in Hollywood, has made a pact with Bhatt to present him with some money as gratitude. The actor shared, “I completed 34 years in movies. While everyone told me that playing a 65-year-old in Saaransh could have been the biggest mistake of my life, it became a defining moment of my life and there was no looking back. My ups and downs have taught me so much about people, life and entertainment business. Thank you Mahesh Bhatt Saab, Rajshri Films and the audience for showering upon love and support.”

In fact, this ‘Guru Dakshina’ ritual is related not only to Anupam, but actor Emraan Hashmi as well who is the nephew of Bhatt. Emraan also pays his respects to the filmmaker through small gifts like books or a small amount of money after every hit film of his.

On the work front, Anupam is all set to star in his political drama The Accidental Prime Minister which is based on the 2014 memoir of the same name, written by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's media advisor Sanjay Baru. Kher plays the role of Manmohan Singh in the film. The film is directed by debutant Vijay Gutte and written by Hansal Mehta and is set to hit theatres on December 21, 2018.