Anupam Kher is not only an acclaimed actor but also a mentor in the world of acting. Through his acting school, Actor Prepares, he has trained some of Bollywood’s biggest stars. The list includes names like Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone, Ananya Panday, Vasanth Ravi, and Ridhi Dogra. Interestingly, among his students now stands an unexpected name, OYO’s founder, Ritesh Agarwal.
The entrepreneur, known for his sharp business acumen, is no stranger to the limelight. As a Shark on Shark Tank India, he is frequently seen evaluating startup pitches. However, this time, he found himself in an entirely new role. With Anupam Kher guiding him through the craft of acting, he got a taste of what it takes to deliver a performance.
During the session, Ritesh was given a dialogue to perform. It goes, “Kaash mein Ritesh jaisa bann paata, but pata nahi ki ban paaunga ki nahi.” The line expressed a wish to be like him but with uncertainty about achieving it. As he took on the challenge, Anupam helped him grasp the subtle aspects of acting. The lesson went beyond just delivering words, it was about making the performance seem effortless.
Anupam broke down the scene for Ritesh, explaining that acting should never look rehearsed. He demonstrated how body language plays a crucial role and emphasized the importance of articulation. He also introduced exercises to help Ritesh structure a scene and create a backstory for the character. Step by step, the business leader transformed into an aspiring performer.
A video capturing this unique session was later shared by Anupam Kher. In his caption, he wrote, “When I brought out the actor in OYO Founder Ritesh Agarwal!” He mentioned how he believes there is an actor within everyone. He also recalled how much fun it was to teach Ritesh, who embraced the lesson with enthusiasm. He praised him saying, “I must say he was very cool about it. And did a great job!” Anupam added that the session was completely free, signing off with his signature phrase, ‘Jai Ho!’
Seeing Ritesh in this new avatar was a surprise. While his expertise lies in building businesses, this experience proved that he is open to exploring new skills. Whether this was a one-time experiment or the beginning of something more, only time will tell. For now, it was a glimpse into the world of acting through the eyes of an entrepreneur.