Veteran actor Anupam Kher has credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with fundamentally transforming how India and its citizens are perceived on the world stage, saying Indians now command a level of respect overseas that was not always evident in earlier decades. Kher made the remarks during his ongoing North American theatrical tour, speaking from Washington on 8 October 2026.

Kher on the shift in India's global standing

Kher, who has recently performed in Canada and is currently touring the United States, said he had personally witnessed a change in how Indians were received abroad. 'People respect Indians like nobody's business,' he said.

Recalling earlier visits to North America, the actor noted that Indians did not always receive the same degree of recognition that he believes they enjoy today. 'Now they say oh you come from Modi's country which is fantastic,' he said, describing the shift as a direct consequence of India's growing stature under the Prime Minister's leadership.

Congratulating Modi on 25 years in public office

Kher also congratulated PM Modi on completing 25 years in public life — a milestone that spans his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister from 7 October 2001 and his subsequent role as Prime Minister since May 2014. He described Modi as a rare political leader who had worked with a spirit of selfless service and inspired ordinary citizens to pursue their ambitions.

The actor specifically highlighted Modi's encouragement of Indians from modest backgrounds, pointing to the Prime Minister's own journey as evidence that personal circumstances need not constrain individual aspirations.

A personal parallel: humble origins as inspiration

Drawing a parallel with his own life, Kher recalled growing up in a small town where his father worked as a clerk. He said he had become more vocal about his humble beginnings since Modi assumed the Prime Ministership, viewing the leader's trajectory as an inspiration for people from lower-middle-class families.

Kher criticised those who ridiculed Modi's background as a tea seller, arguing that humble origins deserved celebration rather than mockery. He invoked Charlie Chaplin, Mahatma Gandhi, and Bhagat Singh while illustrating how formative struggles could shape extraordinary lives.

Development and sports: other areas of praise

Kher also praised what he described as India's visible infrastructural progress under Modi, citing the expansion of roads, railway development, and the construction of the Atal Tunnel as tangible markers of change.

He additionally highlighted the Prime Minister's engagement with Indian sportspersons, noting that Modi made a consistent effort to congratulate winners and motivate those who fell short — a gesture Kher said resonated strongly with athletes and the wider public.

Context: Kher's longstanding admiration for Modi

Kher's remarks are consistent with positions he has expressed on multiple prior occasions. His career spans Hindi cinema, international films, and theatre, and his latest tour has brought him into close contact with Indian diaspora communities across the United States and Canada. The actor said he wished the Prime Minister a long and healthy life and expressed hope that Modi would continue leading India for many more years.