I had no clue: Chef Hemant Oberoi on Anupam Kher playing him in 26/11 film

Hemant Oberoi

The darkest memory of celebrity chef Hemant Oberoi's four-decade career at the Taj is the subject of an upcoming Hollywood production, Hotel Mumbai, but he wasn't aware of it until hitlist got in touch with him.

Also read: Anupam Kher to play star chef in Hollywood film on 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks

Hemant Oberoi. Pic/Bipin Kokate

Anupam Kher will play Oberoi in the film set against the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. He has started shooting in Adelaide where the Taj Mahal hotel has been recreated in a studio.

hitlist report on August 19 on Anupam Kher playing Hemant Oberoi in a Hollywood 26/11 film

"Is it so," Oberoi, 62, asks, and adds, "I had no clue that a film is being made. It is difficult for someone to get a feel of what happened that night. Anyone can hear stories and sympathise, but only people who went through the ordeal know what it was actually like."

Though he has rustled up meals for the high and mighty from all over the world, Oberoi cannot recall meeting Kher. He says, "I have never met Mr Kher nor have I ever served him at the hotel."

Anupam Kher

Oberoi is intrigued by how he will be portrayed on the big screen by the 61-year-old actor. "It is a film and I do not want to give my opinion without knowing what it is exactly," he says.

A name synonymous with the Taj group, Oberoi hung up his apron last year after over four decades of being associated with the hospitality chain. On the night of the 26/11 attacks when the Taj came under attack, Oberoi kept his kitchen running to serve traumatised guests and at one point, even came face-to-face with one of the terrorists who had stormed the hotel.

Helmed by Anthony Maras, the film is inspired by docu filmmaker Andrew Ogilvie's Surviving Mumbai. Ogilvie is one of the co-producers of the project which also stars Dev Patel, Jason Isaacs, Armie Hammer and Tilda Boniadi.