Veteran Bollywood actor Anupam Kher, at 70, has offered a candid glimpse into his personal life, revealing his deepest anxieties and simple joys. In a recent podcast appearance, the celebrated star discussed everything from his dietary preferences to a profound fear shared by many: the loss of memory.
Simple Pleasures and a Year Without Meat
Despite a glamorous career spanning decades, Anupam Kher's tastes remain remarkably grounded. The actor shared that he enjoys keeping his meals straightforward and satisfying. "I like to eat food. I like to eat rice and dal. Dal with ghee," he stated, highlighting a classic Indian comfort food. In a notable personal challenge, he also revealed that he abstained from eating meat for an entire year, showcasing his capacity for discipline and experimentation even in personal habits.
The Anchor of Memory and the Fear of Losing It
Moving beyond the dinner plate, Kher touched upon a more vulnerable topic during his conversation on the 'Unfiltered by Samdish' podcast. He admitted that his greatest fear is losing his memory. For a man who has lived a storied life, memory is not just a record but the very fabric of his identity. "I used to write my life. I see my life as a film. That's why I remember all dates," he explained. This cinematic view of his own journey allows him to navigate the present with a sense of humor and perspective.
His personal mantra, "I love myself. My reference point is where I started from," underscores how his memories serve as crucial anchors, mapping his growth from humble beginnings to iconic status. This fear, as psychotherapist Delnna Rrajesh points out, is universal. It transcends the mere forgetting of facts; it's the terror of losing the emotional and psychological anchors that define who we are.
Expert Advice on Protecting Your Mental Anchor
Kher's candid admission opens a door to a crucial conversation about memory, identity, and mental well-being. Psychotherapist Delnna Rrajesh elaborates that memory fragility, whether due to age, stress, or trauma, can feel like an erasure of self. To combat this, experts suggest practical, accessible strategies.
Chronicle Your Journey: Don't rely on memory alone. Maintain journals, take voice notes, or curate photo albums. These acts of preservation are more than archival; they are emotional lifelines that let you reconnect with past versions of yourself—the one who overcame challenges, celebrated successes, and persevered.
Cherish Daily Rituals: Grand events aren't the only memory-makers. The simple, repeated rituals—a morning walk, sharing a cup of chai, or watching the sunset—create a gentle thread of continuity. These moments build a resilient sense of self that can weather life's upheavals.
Prioritize Mental Health: Protecting memory is intrinsically linked to protecting the mind. Chronic stress, anxiety, and lack of sleep actively wear down our cognitive reserves. Regular rest, mindful breaks, and conscious self-care are non-negotiable for maintaining the neurological architecture that supports memory.
Ultimately, Delnna Rrajesh advises anchoring your identity not solely in the past but in continuous growth. "If we anchor identity in growth – in the values we nurture, lessons we learn, compassion we build…then our sense of self remains resilient even when memories fade," she says. Like Anupam Kher, finding humor in the present and love for the journey, with all its chapters remembered or not, may be the most powerful anchor of all.
