Mumbai, August 8, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Veteran actor Anupam Kher has recalled the unexpected circumstances that led to his casting as the iconic antagonist Dr Michael Dang in Subhash Ghai’s Karma, as the 1986 film marked its 40th anniversary on Saturday.
Kher shared a video on social media revisiting his association with the action drama and said the film played a significant role in transforming his career.
“Around 40 years ago, on this very day, a film of mine was released, which changed my category from a ‘good actor’ to a ‘star’. The name of the film was ‘Karma’, by Subhash Ghai,” he said.
Recalling his first meeting with Ghai, Kher said the filmmaker approached him at a party. The two crossed paths as Ghai was leaving while Kher was entering the venue.
“He saw me from top to bottom. I had not met him before that. He told me to come to his office,” Kher recalled.
When he visited Ghai’s office the following day, the filmmaker offered him the role of the film’s principal villain.
Kher said he even asked Ghai who else was part of the film, only to learn that the cast included Naseeruddin Shah, Anil Kapoor, Sridevi, Poonam Dhillon, Nutan, Jackie Shroff and legendary actor Dilip Kumar.
The revelation left Kher delighted, particularly as he was making his mark alongside some of the biggest names in Hindi cinema.
He also remembered seeing a Karma poster featuring himself and Dilip Kumar near the Mahim Church area in Mumbai.
Thanking Ghai for placing his faith in him, Kher expressed gratitude to his co-stars, including Dilip Kumar, Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Nutan, Sridevi and Poonam Dhillon.
Kher concluded the video by recreating his memorable Dr Dang dialogue from the film, revisiting the character’s dramatic reaction after being slapped.
Karma, released in 1986, was written, directed and produced by Subhash Ghai under the Mukta Arts banner. The film featured an ensemble cast led by Dilip Kumar, alongside Nutan, Sridevi, Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Poonam Dhillon and Anupam Kher.
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