Anupam aspires to play

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Varanasi, Dec 3 (UNI) Anupam Kher, who began his Bollywood career in 1984, by essaying the role of an upright school master fighting against the system to get the ashes of his dead son in 'Saraansh', now aspires to play ' -- the legendary mentor of Chandragupta Maurya.

''I have played variegated roles spanning from the retired school master of 'Saaransh' to the award winning central role in 'Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Maara'. But the greatest challenge of my acting skills will be to don the role of the historical character on the silver screen,'' Kher told UNI here this evening just before leaving for Mumbai.

''Essaying the diverse shades of is a challenge for me and anytime a movie is made on the persona of the legendary kingmaker-diplomat-economist, I will love to play the lead role,'' he added.

Denying that character artists in Bollywood were slowly losing their sheen, Kher said on the contrary, the integral pillar of any film had become more strong. ''Now superstars like Amitabh Bachchan are playing roles once mastered by the likes of Aruna Irani and others, which goes on to show the ever increasing popularity for character roles in films.'' About his acting school 'Actor Prepares,' the actor said the school aims at producing thoroughly professional actors, who can be anyone and not just star sons and daughters. ''The impact of the school on the film industry will be pervasive in years time,'' he maintained.

Kher also disclosed his plans of opening a branch of the school in Varanasi by October 2007.

The critically acclaimed actor was in the city for the shooting of a Yash Raj banner film, where he plays husband to Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan and father to Rani Mukherjee and Konkona Sen.