Media365
Veteran actor Anita Kanwal recently opened up about her struggle to find work and the financial uncertainty she is facing. In an interview, Anita revealed that her savings could run out within a year and that returning to work is crucial for her mental well-being. Despite reaching out to several people in the industry, she said she has yet to receive any substantial offers. Expressing disappointment that many remain unaware of her body of work, Anita reflected on her career across different mediums and recalled working with actor Shah Rukh Khan and filmmaker Prakash Jha.
Known for her roles in shows such as Banegi Apni Baat, Shaanti and Sasural Genda Phool, Anita opened up about the challenges she is currently facing. She said, “I need to earn. If I survive for another 10-12 years, what will I do? My house is my only asset. My savings will run out in a year; that’s why I need work. Even though my kids want to support me, I don’t want to take money from them. I want to be in a position where I can give. Now the new kids don’t even know the work I have done. I get offered a 21-year-old’s role at times. I am not begging for work. If someone doesn’t know who Anita Kanwal is and the work she has done, there is nothing I can do. I do go for auditions, meet casting directors, but nothing is translating into work.”
Anita Kanwal on working with Shah Rukh Khan in Kabhi Haa Kabhi Naa: ‘Scenes were cut’
During the interview, Anita Kanwal also recalled working with Shah Rukh Khan in Kabhi Haa Kabhi Naa. Anita Kanwal, who played Deepak Tijori’s mother in the film, said her scenes from that film were cut. “I never auditioned for Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa. It was real fun doing that film. I was so new. Of course, Shah Rukh Khan recognised me from Delhi. It was a lovely experience. Everyone thought I was too young to be Deepak Tijori’s mother at that time. I was 35-36, but it was a nice role. There was much more to it that got cut in the editing. Deewana became a big hit, so they made Shah Rukh’s motorcycle scenes longer. And our scenes were made smaller, but I got noticed, and after that I did so much work on TV. My main scene with SRK got cut, and I felt very bad about it.”
Also Read: Once did 13 shows at a time, now rejected at auditions: Anita Kanwal asks ‘why am I even living?’
Anita on getting paid double by Prakash Jha for Gangajal
Anita Kanwal further recalled working with Prakash Jha on the 2003 film Gangaajal, revealing that her remuneration was doubled following the film’s success. “Working with Prakash Jha was great. One thing I will never forget about Prakashji. When I did Gangajal, I was paid timely, and he paid me fully. One day I got a call from his office saying my cheque was ready, and I said I was already paid. I was told that since Gangajal did very well, Prakashji gave an extra pay cheque to everyone. That was something I will never forget. Who does that? Here, if people pay you the full amount, it’s a big deal.”
