In an industry where relationships can sometimes shift with the success or failure of a film, Sikandar Kher believes genuine friendships can stand the test of time. Despite the competitive nature of showbiz, the actor has maintained close bonds with several of his contemporaries, including Abhishek Bachchan and Ranbir Kapoor.Sikandar revealed that one of the biggest influences on his approach to friendships has been the enduring bond shared by his father, Anupam Kher, with actors Anil Kapoor and the late Satish Kaushik. Their decades-long equation, he says, is proof that professional highs and lows need not affect personal relationships.“I look at people who’ve sustained long friendships like my father, Anil Kapoor and Satish Kaushik,” he said in an interview with News18.Sikandar said that the trio’s ability to carve out distinct identities without allowing professional competition to interfere with their personal bonds left a lasting impression on him. “They did different kinds of roles. None of them were doing one kind of films. They were chosen for different things. I don’t think anybody was pitted against one another. So, I haven’t had an issue with sustaining friendships,” Sikandar adds.One of the actor’s oldest and closest friendships is with Abhishek Bachchan. Their families were already connected through business, with their fathers, Gautam Berry and Amitabh Bachchan, having been business associates. Sikandar and Abhishek grew up spending considerable time together and eventually reconnected after Abhishek returned from his studies abroad.Sikandar also recalled being part of an acting workshop conducted by his father when he was a teenager. “Dad had done an acting workshop for a few people. I must have been 15. Hrithik (Roshan), Uday (Chopra) and Abhishek were also a part of it. “It was for near and dear ones who hadn’t started work.”While his friendship with Abhishek is relatively well known, Sikandar revealed that he shares an equally longstanding connection with Ranbir Kapoor. The two go back to their school days and studied together at Bombay Scottish.“Ranbir and I were in the same school and we’ve been friends since then. We studied in Bombay Scottish. I was there till eighth standard. I remember the riots of Bombay. Our school was right in the middle of Shivaji Park and the dargah,” he says.One particular memory from that period remains etched in his mind. “Ranbir’s Contessa had come to pick us up and eight-nine of us sat inside it and left. We saw stuff burning on the road. So, yes, we’ve known each other since we were very young,” he adds.Sikandar also opened up about his family’s warm relationship with the Deols, recalling his childhood interactions with legendary actor Dharmendra. Although he says he interacted more frequently with Bobby Deol, his memories of Dharmendra remain particularly affectionate.“My interactions with Dharam ji was less. It might have been a little more with Bobby (Deol) out of everyone in that family. As a child, my conversations with Dharam ji were all about ‘namaste’ and ‘sat sri akal’. But I’ve seen him a lot while I was growing up. He was a beautiful man. I know how lovely he was. I’ve heard stories about him from mom,” he shares.Reflecting on Dharmendra’s personality, Sikandar says the actor’s warmth extended beyond his personal interactions and was evident in the way he expressed himself publicly.Sikandar continues, “If I looked at his Instagram, his captions would exude warmth and love. He was such a kind man. In Ikkis, we had no scenes because the timelines of our characters were very different. So, he wouldn’t be on set when I would come to film. He was the heart and soul of the film. When I watch Ikkis, his scenes really move me.”For Sikandar, these relationships serve as reminders that the film industry’s competitive landscape does not necessarily have to dictate personal equations. His friendships, many of which began long before fame, continue to remain grounded in shared history, family connections and genuine affection.
