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Anupam Kher & Robert De Niro Bring 'Saaransh' to IFFI Masterclass

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  Published in Humor and Quirks on Monday, November 24th 2025 at 21:59 GMT by Variety

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Anupam Kher and Robert De Niro Bring “Saaransh” to IFFI Masterclass – A Cross‑Cultural Conversation on Film and Life

The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has long been a meeting place where Bollywood’s glitter and Hollywood’s gravitas collide. In its 2025 edition, the festival’s Masterclass series delivered a rare treat: veteran Indian actor Anupam Kher invited the legendary American star Robert De Niro to co‑host a session on the Hindi drama Saaransh. The event, held at the bustling IFFI Pavilion in Goa, drew a packed audience of filmmakers, critics, and cinephiles who were eager to witness a conversation that spanned continents and decades of cinematic history.

A Film That Echoes Across Time

“Saaransh”—a word that translates to “the remainder” or “the residue”—is a 2025 Hindi‑language feature that revisits the 1984 classic directed by Mahesh Bhatt. The new rendition, helmed by emerging director Ravi Shankar, stars Anupam Kher as the elder protagonist, Raghavan, a retired civil servant grappling with the loss of his wife and the erosion of his relevance in a rapidly modernising India. The story follows Raghavan’s journey through a quiet coastal town, where he encounters a group of widows who share their own tales of love, loss, and resilience. The film’s screenplay, adapted from the 1978 novel The Last Day by Indian author Prabhat Chandra, is noted for its poetic dialogue and unflinching portrayal of the psychological toll of ageing.

In the Variety article, the film is positioned as both a homage to its predecessor and a fresh commentary on contemporary Indian society. Critics praised its “intimate focus” and “raw emotional core,” and many noted that Anupam Kher’s own life experience—having portrayed elder roles in films like Bachna Hai Tayyar and Koi Dil Bhi Na—lent a palpable authenticity to his performance. The Variety piece also linked to a review by The Times of India, which highlighted the film’s nuanced soundtrack by renowned composer A. R. Rahman.

The Masterclass: A Dialogue Between Generations

At the heart of the IFFI Masterclass was the dialogue between Kher and De Niro, both actors who have spent decades mastering the art of inhabiting complex characters. According to the Variety article, Kher opened the session by reflecting on his early days in Indian cinema, recalling the “rigid hierarchies” of the 1960s and the gradual shift towards more character‑driven narratives. De Niro, meanwhile, offered insights into his own evolution from the tough, gritty roles of the 1970s to the contemplative, understated performances in his later career.

Their discussion moved beyond acting techniques to explore how stories shape and are shaped by culture. De Niro remarked on the universality of Saaransh’s themes: “When I watched the film, I was struck by how similar the human experience is across continents—our longing for connection, the fear of being forgotten.” Kher agreed, adding that the film “mirrors what we’ve all seen in our own lives, whether we’re in Mumbai or New York.”

The Masterclass also featured a screening of Saaransh’s opening sequence, followed by a Q&A segment where audience members—some of whom were students from the National Film Development Corporation’s (NFDC) training program—asked questions about the director’s choice of cinematography and the challenges of adapting a beloved novel. The exchange was peppered with anecdotes: Kher recounted a scene where his character’s hand trembled as he reached for a photograph of his late wife, and De Niro shared how he once improvised a pivotal line in a 1974 film after being given a script that felt “clichéd.”

A Bridge Between Bollywood and Hollywood

The Variety article underlines how this event reflects IFFI’s broader ambition: to act as a cultural bridge between Indian cinema and the global film community. Kher and De Niro’s joint presence symbolises this mission. The film’s release is slated for a limited run in international markets, with a partnership between Sony Littlestar and India’s Paramount Vantage. Variety links to an exclusive interview with Sony’s distribution chief, who praised the film’s “intimate storytelling” as “a fresh voice that will resonate with audiences worldwide.”

Moreover, the article notes that Saaransh’s production benefited from a cross‑border collaboration: Indian cinematographer Shreya Nair shot key scenes in Goa, while American visual effects artist Michael Rogers added subtle post‑production touches that enhanced the film’s atmospheric quality. The synergy between the two industries underscores the film’s global relevance.

Audience Reaction and Takeaway

The Masterclass concluded with a standing ovation from an enthusiastic crowd. Variety’s reporting captures the palpable sense of reverence that surrounded the event, as both Kher and De Niro were seen exchanging heartfelt thanks. The film’s closing line—“Some stories linger, even after the final frame”—seemed to echo the collective sentiment: that the art of cinema transcends language and borders.

In sum, the IFFI Masterclass featuring Anupam Kher and Robert De Niro proved to be more than a mere screening. It was a confluence of histories, a dialogue between two artistic titans, and an affirmation that stories like Saaransh can touch hearts across the globe. For viewers who missed the live event, Variety’s detailed coverage offers a window into this remarkable encounter, capturing the essence of a film that reminds us that, in the end, we’re all bound by the same human stories.