Anupam Kher reminisces about his heartfelt encounter with Sam Neill in Sydney

When news of Sam Neill’s death broke, a wave of nostalgia hit fans across continents. For Bollywood actor‑director Anupam Kher, it also unearthed a personal memory that’s both sweet and a little bittersweet.

Back in 2018, Kher was in Sydney for a film‑promotion tour. He’d heard that Sam Neill – the gentle face of Jurassic Park – would be at a local charity gala that very night. “I thought, ‘Why not?’” Kher chuckles now, adding a casual shrug that feels more like a shrug‑and‑smile. “I was just there for my own event, but the universe kind of nudged us together.”

The two men ended up sharing a corner of the venue, swapping stories over tea. Kher recalls Neill’s calm demeanor, the way he listened intently, and how he laughed – not a theatrical roar, but a genuine, low‑key chuckle that put everyone at ease. “He was so down‑to‑earth, you could tell he’d been through a lot of crowds but never lost his kindness,” Kher said, his voice softening.

They talked about movies, of course. Neill spoke about the making of Jurassic Park, the chaos of the set, and the surprising moments that made him fall in love with acting all over again. Kher, in turn, talked about his own journey from theatre to Bollywood’s biggest screens, and how the craft binds storytellers across borders.

“I felt privileged,” Kher admits, a little pause lingering before he adds, “to have sat with someone whose work defined an entire generation of cinema lovers, including myself.” He says the encounter wasn’t just a brush‑with fame; it was a reminder that beyond the glitz, there’s a human being with humility and humor.

Now, after Neill’s untimely demise, Kher’s recollection feels like a quiet tribute. He hopes fans remember not just the roaring dinosaurs, but also the gentle man who made them roar. “He’ll always be a part of my memory of Sydney,” Kher says, a faint smile breaking through the melancholy.