If there’s one man who could make ordinary Indian lives feel extraordinary on screen, it was Hrishikesh Mukherjee. 1971 was a year of big wins. India celebrated victories in politics, cricket, and even war. But life was far from easy. Amid national turbulence, Indian cinema quietly offered comfort and laughter. There were moments that made people reflect on what it meant to live fully.
And nowhere was this magic more evident than in ‘Anand’, 1971 classic that still makes us remember the fleeting beauty of life.
Let’s take a deep dive into the world of Mukherjee’s ‘Anand’.
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The legend behind the lens: Hrishikesh Mukherjee
Hrishikesh Mukherjee was a magician of ordinary stories. He could turn mundane city streets, middle-class households, casual conversations into something poetic and relatable.
Mukherjee’s genius lay in his subtle storytelling. Unlike flamboyant directors, he never needed grand sets. He did not demand exaggerated drama to captivate audiences. Instead he drew inspiration from real life weaving in his own experiences, relationships, fears. One of the most poignant examples? His friendship with Raj Kapoor (who was unwell at the time) inspired the dynamic between Anand and Dr Bhaskar in the film.
Mukherjee’s ability to connect with both characters and audience is what made his work timeless. And in ‘Anand’, that skill shines brighter and how!
“Babu moshai, zindagi badi honi chahiye, lambi nahin”
Ask any fan of classic Bollywood. And they’ll tell you that Rajesh Khanna’s line from ‘Anand’. This is a mantra. It was spoken by Anand Sehgal, a terminally ill cancer patient, to his friend Dr Bhaskar Banerjee (played by Amitabh Bachchan).
The film balances despair and hope. Anand’s impending death is looming shadow. But his approach to life is joyful, spontaneous, full of kindness.
This is Mukherjee at his finest. He takes a painful subject like cancer and turns it into celebration of life.
Friendship, laughter, humanity
At its core, ‘Anand’ is a story about friendship. Dr Bhaskar Banerjee is a serious, somewhat disillusioned doctor struggling with inequalities around him. Anand, by contrast, is exuberant, carefree, determined to find joy in every moment.
Their bond is central to film’s magic. Bhaskar worries about poverty, illness, ethics. Then there is Anand who teaches him and the audience the transformative power of laughter and human connection. The film doesn’t shy away from medicine or death. It actually uses these elements as metaphors rather than the main plot.
This interplay of lightness and gravity makes ‘Anand’ universally appealing. Rajesh Khanna’s charming, small-town persona contrasts so, so beautifully with Amitabh Bachchan’s contemplative, slightly brooding presence. And what a real, tender friendship they have created together!
Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan
Rajesh Khanna’s performance in ‘Anand’ is often described as effortless. He wasn’t the brooding antihero we later came to know in other films; here, he was the boy-next-door, full of energy, mischief, charm. He could deliver a line, gesture, or even smile in a way that made audiences fall in love instantly.
One remarkable aspect of his performance was his musical expression. Singing while acting; walking, gesturing, emoting is no easy task. But Khanna did it flawlessly. Songs like ‘Kahin Door Jab Din Dhal Jaye’ and ‘Maine Tere Liye’ are emotional windows into Anand’s soul.
Long before he became the “Angry Young Man” of Bollywood, Amitabh Bachchan was a relatively unknown actor. In ‘Anand’, he played Dr Bhaskar with a quiet intensity. He wasn’t tragic or melodramatic; he was thoughtful, ethical, and at times frustrated by the world’s unfairness.
Interestingly, Bachchan’s role was modeled on Mukherjee himself. The director’s own persona which was a mix of practicality, warmth, and moral reflection shines through Bachchan’s Bhaskar.
A city of many lives
‘Anand’ isn’t just about its two male leads. It’s also about the city they inhabit. Bombay, now Mumbai, emerges as a character in itself. The film showcases a bustling, cosmopolitan city where people of different backgrounds coexist.
There was a Bengali doctor (Bhaskar) and Punjabi Anand. Then there was Mrs. D’Souza, the caring Christian matron. There was Isabhai Suratwala, the Gujarati Muslim businessman. Everything diverse! People spoke their own languages. They followed their religions. And yet, they lived in harmony. This is a vision of India that felt aspirational in the 1970s.
There are some minor characters like Raghu Kaka, the servant; Dara Singh, Punjabi wrestler. They contribute immensely to the film’s tapestry.
Music and melody
No ‘Anand’ without its unforgettable music. Salil Choudhury’s compositions elevate every scene. So perfect to complement the narrative!
The songs are character-driven. Anand’s playful, expressive personality comes alive in numbers like ‘Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli’, ‘Mere Tere Liye’. Choudhury’s music was storytelling in melody form.
If Salil Choudhury gave us the music, Gulzar gave us the soul. His dialogue, poetry, and lyrical sensibility enriched the film in subtle, unforgettable ways. Who can forget the hauntingly beautiful line, “Maut tu ek kavita hai”?
What could have been
Interestingly the original casting ideas were different. Kishore Kumar was initially considered for Anand. Mehmood was in talks for Dr Bhaskar. However a stage fight involving a Bengali impresario led to changes. This eventually resulted in Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan playing the parts.
This twist of fate proved fortuitous. Khanna’s charm and Bachchan’s gravitas created chemistry that became iconic. Sometimes cinematic history is shaped as much by chance as by planning.
The legacy of ‘Anand’ in Indian cinema
‘Anand’ was a statement about Indian life and values. Mukherjee’s vision of ordinary people, real emotions, humour, ethical dilemmas set benchmark for Hindi cinema.
The 1970s were a period of transformation in Indian cinema. The emergence of social realism was on peak. Middle-class narratives, morally complex characters were coming. ‘Anand’ captured all of this while remaining heartwarming and accessible.
In revisiting 1971, we are reminded of a nation finding hope amid challenges… of stories that comforted and inspired… and of a director who understood that cinema’s true power lies in portraying the extraordinary in the ordinary.