Anupam Kher, the veteran Bollywood actor, has often spoken about the challenges and experiences he faced while portraying former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the 2019 film "The Accidental Prime Minister". Now, in a recent interview, Kher revealed a light-hearted anecdote about how he honed his impersonation skills for the role, stating that making a prank call to a friend in Manmohan Singh's voice was his "real test".

Kher said that perfecting the nuanced mannerisms, voice modulation, and overall persona of Dr. Singh required months of rigorous preparation. He watched countless hours of footage, studied his speeches, and paid close attention to his subtle gestures. However, he felt that true mastery would only come when he could convincingly interact with someone familiar to him, without them realizing it was him.

"I needed to be absolutely sure that I wasn't just doing an imitation, but embodying the essence of the man," Kher explained. "So, I decided to prank call a close friend. I won't reveal who it was, but they know Manmohan Singh ji quite well. I spoke to them for a few minutes, discussing mundane things, and they had absolutely no idea it was me."

The actor described the experience as both nerve-wracking and exhilarating. "That was my real test," Kher admitted. "If I could fool someone who knew him, I knew I was on the right track. It gave me the confidence to take on the role with conviction."

Kher's portrayal of Manmohan Singh in "The Accidental Prime Minister" sparked considerable debate. The film, based on a memoir by Sanjaya Baru, offered a behind-the-scenes look at Singh's tenure as Prime Minister and was seen by some as critical of the Congress party. Some critics labeled the film as a "propaganda" piece aimed at tarnishing Singh's image, especially since it was released during an election year.

Despite the controversies surrounding the film, Kher has consistently maintained that he approached the role with sincerity and respect. He has often spoken of Singh's inherent goodness, honesty, and humility.

Following the death of Manmohan Singh, Kher paid an emotional tribute to the former Prime Minister, revealing that he had initially refused the role in "The Accidental Prime Minister". He expressed his sadness and acknowledged the time he spent studying Singh's nature, mannerisms, and character. Kher said portraying Singh truthfully meant understanding the person. He described Singh as a good, gentle, bright, brilliant, and kind man.

Kher's dedication to the role, as evidenced by his meticulous preparation and even the prank call anecdote, highlights the commitment he brought to the challenging task of portraying such a prominent political figure. While the film itself remains a subject of discussion, Kher's exploration of Singh's character continues to be a point of interest.