Veteran Bollywood actor Anupam Kher recently recounted an incident early in his Hollywood career when he demanded fair compensation after the success of "Bend It Like Beckham". The 2002 film, directed by Gurinder Chadha, marked Kher's entry into Hollywood and became a significant hit.

Kher played the role of Mr. Bhamra, the immigrant Sikh father of Jess, who dreams of playing football like David Beckham. Despite the film's success, Kher felt he was not being adequately compensated for his work and the value he brought to the project.

In a recent interview, Kher recalled his mindset at the time, stating that he had a "Hindi film actor mentality". He acknowledged that initially, upon reading the script, he was concerned about the limited number of lines his character had. However, he spoke with the director, who assured him that the audience would appreciate his role.

Following the film's positive reception, Kher recognized his worth and decided to advocate for fair pay. While details of the specific incident remain sparse, Kher's statement suggests a bold move to address the disparity. "[He] stood up on the table…" implying a decisive act to convey his demand for equitable treatment.

Kher has spoken about the challenges he faced during the film's production, particularly with the English dialogue. As someone who primarily thinks in Hindi, he had to translate his thoughts before delivering his lines, which he found difficult. Despite these challenges, "Bend It Like Beckham" became one of his most well-known Hollywood projects.

The film's success opened doors for Kher in international cinema, and he has since appeared in several other Hollywood productions. He credits his willingness to step outside his comfort zone for these opportunities.

Recently, Kher met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who expressed his admiration for "Bend It Like Beckham". Kher shared his pleasure in meeting Starmer on Instagram, noting the Prime Minister's positive remarks about the UK-India partnership.

Looking ahead, a sequel to "Bend It Like Beckham" is reportedly in the works, slated for release in 2027 to coincide with the film's 25th anniversary and the FIFA Women's World Cup. Director Gurinder Chadha has expressed interest in reuniting the original cast.