Mr Anupam Kher is all praise for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and “his colleagues”. The actor believes Indian cinema is doing well under his governance.

Speaking at the FICCI-IIFA Global Business Forum at the three-day International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend and Awards, Mr Kher said that the Indian film industry is flourishing. “Indian cinema is going through golden period under PM Modi. It’s flourishing. I have great faith in him and his colleagues, including my wife (BJP MP Kirron Kher),” Mr Kher said.

The actor, who has done over 450 films in 31 years, believes that Indian movies have managed to make “people happy worldwide”. “This is one job in which everyone puts life into it, including a lightboy. They have nothing to do with the film’s profit, still they put blood and sweat into it,” said the “Saaransh” actor.

The 60-year-old also spoke about his acting school Actor Prepares. “Eleven years back I started the school. I had almost gone bankrupt as my dreams were bigger than reality. I started the school with 12 students and now there are 500. “It can be compared to any acting school. It’s the best thing I can offer to Malaysia,” said the actor, who hates using the term ‘Bollywood’ for the Hindi film industry.

He conjectured that the “Hindi film industry will take over any industry in the next 10 years. We have corporate support and infrastructure”. IIFA, organised by Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt Ltd, is recognised across the world for its celebration of Indian cinema held in an exotic locale every year. While the glamour and the grandeur of the IIFA Weekend is spectacular, IIFA is also heavily invested in the promotion of businesses opportunities, trade relations and cinema opportunities between India and IIFA’s host nation.