My father a deserving candidate for Padma Bhushan: Sikandar Kher

The news of a Padma Bhushan for Anupam Kher led to social media trolls, where several people claimed the veteran actor has been chosen for the honour for his continued support to BJP. However, his son Sikandar Kher has come to his defense.

"Sikandar, who is the son of Anupam's wife Kirron and her former husband, told IANS: "I have immense respect for him. I think my father is a deserving candidate for Padma Bhushan. It's an honour. We all are happy."

"Now we have Padma Bhushan Anupam Kher at home... that's how we all address him at home these days," he added.

The news was broken to him by Anupam himself, shared Sikandar, who is busy promoting his film "Tere Bin Laden: Dead or Alive" these days.

"My dad called me and told me he is getting a Padma Bhushan. I was damn excited when he called me... I was shooting for '24' in Pune. I told everybody on the sets about it. It's a great honour and I think dad well deserves this. He is a great man," he added.

Anupam, winner of two National Awards, is to receive the Padma Bhushan, 12 years after he was given the Padma Shri in 2004.

Several names, including veteran actor Kader Khan, have raised their voice against the decision to bestow the honour upon Anupam. "What has he done except singing praises for (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi," Kader Khan asked in an interview to IANS.