Veteran actor Anupam Kher, who is in Goa for the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), has revealed plans to direct a film titled ‘The Return’, which will be a co-production between Australia and India.

Speaking to ANI, Kher talked about the project, which will be his second directorial venture after ‘Tanvi The Great’.

When asked about collaborating on a film in Australia, Kher said, “Yes, I never sit idle. When I don’t have work, I write stories or think about books. About 10-12 years ago, I had an idea and I wrote the story for an English film called ‘The Return’, and it revolves around a main character who goes abroad.”

Since Australia is in focus at IFFI this year, Kher said he has pitched the idea to Australian delegates attending the festival.

He said, “I shared the story with some people in Australia. We are now working on the paperwork and permissions to make the film a reality.”

Kher confirmed that The Return will take place after the release of ‘Tanvi The Great’, which has already been completed and will be out to the audiences soon.

Anupam Kher, who has acted in more than 540 films and 100 plays during his 35-year career, has worked with renowned directors like Ang Lee, David O Russell and Woody Allen. His international projects include Silver Linings Playbook, Hotel Mumbai and the series New Amsterdam. He has been awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest civilian award, and is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

The actor also opened up about the role of failure in shaping his success.

“If you look at my life, it is the sum total of my failures. I have put up a post today about this lecture which is going on in my master class in the evening. It is written there, ‘I am my success story’ Failures”, the actor said before his masterclass.

“I come from a poor family. I was the weakest student in studies, although I loved playing games. Despite this, 40 years later, I have done 542 films and received many awards. My attitude towards failure is what kept me going. Have brought it till here,” said the actor.

Kher is currently receiving praise for his role in ‘Vijay 69’. ‘Vijay 69’ tells the heartwarming story of a 69-year-old man named Vijay who defies societal expectations by training for a triathlon.

YRF Entertainment’s film directed by Akshay Roy was released on Netflix on November 8.

Meanwhile, IFFI 2024, which began on November 20, is showcasing over 180 international films from 81 countries, including 16 world premieres, 3 international premieres, 43 Asian premieres and 109 Indian premieres.

Notably, organizers have also included a tribute program to honor the 100th birth anniversary of four stalwarts of Indian cinema, according to Variety: actor-filmmaker Raj Kapoor, director Tapan Sinha, Telugu cinema star Akkineni Nageswara Rao ( ANR), and singer Mohammed Rafi. ,

The 55th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) will run till November 28. (ANI)