'Life is simple on any level': After selling his house to Alia Bhatt, Anupam Kher explains why he has been living in rented house in Mumbai for 10 years

Anupam Kher began his film journey in the 1980s with Mahesh Bhatt’s Saaransh. Over the years, he has become a celebrated global actor with more than 550 films to his credit. After arriving in Mumbai with just Rs 37, he faced early struggles, including sleeping on railway platforms, before finding a breakthrough with Saaransh (1984). He has since won multiple National and Filmfare awards, founded an acting school, and earned international recognition. Today, the actor lives in a rented house, and he has a clear reason for that choice.

‘Failure doesn’t scare me anymore’: Anupam Kher

In a recent conversation on Zindagi With Richa, the actor-director opened up about how his early struggles shaped his outlook on life. He recalled arriving in Mumbai in 1981 with almost nothing and said that moment still keeps him grounded.



He explained that whenever he thinks about failure, he goes back to that phase when he had just Rs 37 in his pocket. Compared to that, nothing in life feels as difficult. According to him, this perspective makes life easier to handle. He added, "Life is simple, we just complicate it with unnecessary desires."

Choosing success over wealth

Anupam Kher also spoke about his decision to live in a rented house for the past decade. He shared that it was a conscious choice and not driven by financial limitations. The actor said he has always been ambitious, not for wealth, but for success. He wants to be remembered as one of the finest actors rather than someone who simply accumulated money. He pointed out that if money had been his priority, his lifestyle choices would have been very different.

The actor revealed that around 10 years ago, he decided he did not want to own a house anymore. He even sold his property, which was later bought by Alia Bhatt.

He said, "Kiran and I moved to a different place, and it took us four years to find it. Then she became an MP and shifted to Chandigarh. At one point, I wondered why we were even searching so hard for a house. So we just started living simply."

He believes that people often attach too much importance to material possessions when, in reality, a simpler life can be more fulfilling. For him, living in a rented house became a way to stay grounded and avoid unnecessary complications.

Fulfilling his mother’s wish

While Anupam Kher chose not to own a house for himself, he made sure to fulfil his mother’s long-standing wish. After his father’s passing, he asked her if she wanted anything. She expressed a desire to own a home in Shimla, having spent nearly six decades living in rented spaces.



He shared that he honoured her wish and bought a house for her there. Though she initially wanted just a small space, he went ahead and arranged a larger home. He fondly mentioned that she still prefers simplicity and mostly visits the house during the summer.

Major life lessons from Anupam Kher

Talking about life lessons, Anupam Kher said that the difference between ordinary and extraordinary lies in putting in that “little extra” effort. However, he also warned against losing oneself in the pursuit of success. He described success as something that often pushes people to want more without truly teaching them much. In contrast, failure, according to him, plays a much bigger role in shaping a person. It forces one to adapt, grow, and rediscover purpose.

"If you have Rs 10 crore, you start wanting Rs 20 crore, then Rs 25 crore. But failure teaches you. It helps you grow, reinvent yourself, and reminds you that you’re alive. Failure, at every step, pushes creativity and innovation. You shouldn’t feel self-pity. I do feel it sometimes, but after that, I find joy in living again. People have forgotten how to truly live."

The actor concluded by saying that "life is simple on every level", whether in small towns or big cities. He believes that the more successful a person becomes, the more they should embrace simplicity, as they already have everything they need.

Anupam Kher's professional front

On the work front, Anupam Kher was last seen in Tanvi The Great, which he also directed. While the film received appreciation from critics, it did not perform strongly at the box office. He is currently working on his upcoming projects and will announce them soon.

On the other hand, Alia Bhatt is currently shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Love & War alongside Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal. The makers have officially announced the release date, and it's been scheduled to hit the theatres on January 21, 2027.

Earlier, Alia had talked about the upcoming project and said, "I am working on a movie currently called Love & War. It is a film directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. We are at the tail end of filming. It has been quite a magical experience. Working with Sanjay sir is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I am so grateful that I get to do it."