By Subhash K Jha

When one of our most versatile actors Anupam Kher has a chance to meet one of his favouite actresses, he naturally doesn't let go of the opportunity. Hence when at the now-running Toronto Film Festival, Anupam Kher got to know that Susan Sarandon was attending he naturally asked one of his friends from Hollywood for an introduction.

Says Anupam from Toronto, `I told her how much I enjoyed her performance in Thelma & Louise and Dead Man Walking. I also met Hugh Grant. `

Strangely Susan Sarandon was ignorant of Indian cinema and Anupam's work. Anupam specially, was all over the Toronto Film Festival.

He was not only part of Deepa Mehta's much talked-about Midnight's Children but also included in the core group of starcast members representing David Russell's Silver Linings Playbook alongside Robert De Niro, Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Julia Stiles and Chris Tucker. Throughout the Festival de Niro bonded liberally with Anupam. Anupam is also been featured on the cover of Variety.

However Anupam has taken an extremely pragmatic view of Bollywood's status vis-a-vis Hollywood and interntional cinema. `Why should Hollywood know our work? Why should they know us?

We run after them. Not the other way around. We give too much importance to global recognition. I've worked with the topmost names from American cinema-Woody Allen, Ang Lee, Robert de Niro. But I've never sought their recognition or approval.

For me Midnight's Children is as important as Silver Lining Playbook. And my work back home is equally important. `