Anupam Kher wins Best Supporting Actor at UK Asian Film Festival 2026 for 'Calorie'
Synopsis
Anupam Kher's win at the UK Asian Film Festival 2026 is more than a trophy — it signals a deliberate reinvention. His portrayal of an elderly Sikh man in 'Calorie', a film anchored in the trauma of the 1985 Air India tragedy, has earned him his most significant international recognition in years, validating his conscious pivot toward real, rooted storytelling.
Key Takeaways
Anupam Kher won the Tongues on Fire Flame Award for Best Supporting Actor at the UK Asian Film Festival 2026 in London .
The award was for his role as Mohan Singh in the Canadian-Indian drama 'Calorie' , directed by Eisha Marjara . 'Calorie' explores memory, trauma, and family through a Sikh-Canadian family's experience of the 1985 Air India tragedy .
The film premiered at the 56th IFFI in Goa and has drawn significant critical appreciation internationally.
The UK Asian Film Festival is in its 28th edition , organised by Tongues on Fire to spotlight South Asian arts in Britain.
Anupam Kher has won the Tongues on Fire Flame Award for Best Supporting Actor at the UK Asian Film Festival 2026 in London, for his performance in the Canadian-Indian drama 'Calorie'. The veteran actor-director said the recognition reflects his deliberate shift toward stories that are grounded in real-life experience and emotional truth.
About the Award and Festival
The 28th edition of the UK Asian Film Festival, organised by Tongues on Fire, spotlights the contribution of South Asian arts and storytelling to Britain's cultural fabric. The festival's Closing Gala featured the annual Tongues on Fire Flame Awards, which honour South Asian talents reshaping global cinema. Kher's win for 'Calorie' was among the most noted recognitions of the evening.
What Anupam Kher Said
Accepting the honour, Kher said: 'Calorie' is a truly special film, and I'm deeply honoured and happy to receive the Tongues on Fire Flame Award 2026 for Best Supporting Actor at the UK Asian Film Festival. Over the last few years, I have consciously tried to bring in stories that are real life, different, meaningful, and rooted in real-life experiences, and 'Calorie' is one such emotionally powerful journey.
He added: The film explores themes of emotions and portraying this character was a special experience for me as an actor. I am grateful to the entire team of the film, and the audience for embracing our story with so much love.
About 'Calorie' and Kher's Role
'Calorie' is a Canadian-Indian drama that explores themes of memory, trauma, and family, centring on a Sikh-Canadian family navigating life in Montreal and Amritsar in the aftermath of the 1985 Air India tragedy. Kher plays Mohan Singh, an elderly Sikh man whose portrayal drew widespread critical acclaim. The actor has described the role as a deeply emotional and transformative experience.
The film is directed by Eisha Marjara and had its world premiere at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. Notably, 'Calorie' represents the kind of diaspora storytelling that has gained increasing traction at international festivals, bridging South Asian history with contemporary family narratives.
A Conscious Creative Shift
Kher's win underscores a deliberate evolution in his choices as a performer. Over recent years, he has moved away from mainstream commercial fare toward character-driven, socially resonant projects. This is consistent with a broader trend among senior Indian actors — including Naseeruddin Shah and Pankaj Kapur — gravitating toward festival-circuit and independent films that prioritise narrative depth. For Kher, 'Calorie' stands as a marker of that creative intent finding international validation.
Point of View
The 1985 Air India bombing, remains one of the most underrepresented tragedies in South Asian cinema, and the film's festival traction suggests audiences are ready for it. The question is whether this international validation translates into bolder commissioning decisions back home, or whether it remains a festival footnote. Kher's own framing — a 'conscious' shift toward real, rooted stories — reads less like humility and more like a quiet critique of the industry he came from.
NationPress
13 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What award did Anupam Kher win at the UK Asian Film Festival 2026?
Anupam Kher won the Tongues on Fire Flame Award for Best Supporting Actor at the 28th UK Asian Film Festival in London, for his performance in the Canadian-Indian film 'Calorie'.
What is the film 'Calorie' about?
'Calorie' is a Canadian-Indian drama directed by Eisha Marjara that explores memory, trauma, and family, focusing on a Sikh-Canadian family in Montreal and Amritsar dealing with the aftermath of the 1985 Air India tragedy. Anupam Kher plays an elderly Sikh man named Mohan Singh.
Where did 'Calorie' premiere?
'Calorie' had its world premiere at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa before going on to screen at international festivals including the UK Asian Film Festival.
What is the UK Asian Film Festival?
The UK Asian Film Festival, organised by Tongues on Fire, is one of Britain's leading platforms for South Asian cinema and arts. Its 2026 edition was the 28th, with the Closing Gala featuring the Tongues on Fire Flame Awards honouring South Asian talent.
Why is Anupam Kher's win significant?
The win marks one of Kher's most prominent international recognitions in recent years and reflects his stated commitment to choosing real, rooted, character-driven stories over mainstream commercial roles — a creative shift that 'Calorie' exemplifies.
