I just hate tragedies, Be it tragic love stories, a hero giving up his life for a cause or any other melodrama that Hindi cinema makers have till now forced us to see and bear.
But this movie is different.
Not in the way Hindi Movie damsel’s say in pre-movie release Interviews ’’:Oh ! My role in this movie is so Diff’’ We believe them, and have to go thru same junk again ! This Movie is really different.
Hrishi da created a Character, which though dies in the movie, lives in the memories of those who watched him forever and ever.
Presenting.................. ANAND
Produced :Rupam Chitra
Story/Direction :Hrishikesh Mukherjee
Music :Salil Chowdhary
Stars :Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan , Ramesh Deo , Jhony walker
Released in the period when Rajesh Khanna, a superstar was more often than not portraying the singing and dancing lover boy, and even the Big B had just about managed to step in the Industry.This movie would definitely not have been rated as a would be super-hit by the Industry Analysts then.
But this movie went on to sweep the Filmfare ( Regarded as the Oscar of hindi movies )
If not mistaken , Then Anand got awards for :
Best Film
Best Actor :Rajesh Khanna
Best Supporting Actor :Amitabh Bachhan
Best Dialogues : Gulzar
Best Story :Hrishikesh Mukherjee
Best Editor : Hrishikesh Mukherjee
Though it missed out on a couple of awards to the might of RK productions Mera Naam Joker in some aspects. More or less , Anand Was a clean sweep at the awards that year.
Anand... The Movie
Dr Bhaskar Banerjee(Amitabh Bachhan), is a simple and true to his profession doctor who is pained by the helplessness that even the advanced medical science faces against death and more so when faced by the impoverished people he treats.
Dr.Prakash (Ramesh Deo) is a more of the enterprising types , who charges hefty sums from his rich customers for all their imaginary illness and in turn helps the poor patients that Dr.Bhaskar Banerjee sends to him for treatment.
It is during one such meeting of the two doctors that Anand charges into their life, A friend of their common friend Anand has been diagnosed with lymph o sarcoma of the Intestine , A terminal illness for which there is no known cure. He comes to Bombay well aware of the fact that this is the last leg of his journey.
A man full of life and zest Anand instantly makes himself at home with clinic staff, The matron(Lalitha Pawar) who for once is not the wicked step mother, but the nurse at the hospital. The initial stiff reaction that the Matron melts out to Anand turns malleable, when Anand sweet-talks her into calling her Mother and not Sister as nurses are usually called!
Anand also manages to get himself out of the hospital room , into the house of Dr.Banerjee. The chatter box anand talks talks and talks and manages to get a few words and smiles out of the very introvert Doctor whom he lovingly calls ’’Babu Moshai’’ .The film brings out this relation of Anand and Dr.Banarjee in a very very special way. What starts of as a doctor patient relation bonds into a much closer much stronger relation. Till a point where the Doctor himself gives up hope on medical science and ventures out to seek help from some alternate source of Medicine to save his friends life.Anand also very cunningly sets up the love life of the shy doctor by setting up a date and leaving the two alone.
Anand also manages to keep everyone aware of the fact that though he is very near to death, they should let him live his life to the full , whatever he has got left. and not kill him every minute by making him realize again and again of his impending death.
’’Zindagi Badi honi chahiye Babu Moshai Lambi Nahin’’ he tells when during some conversation, The Doc reminds him to take care, as he hasn’t got much to live.
During the course of the movie , many characters walk in and out of his life , and he manages to find a place in everyone’s heart.
The most intriguing way a character is introduced in the movie is that of Johnny walker (Damn! I forget the characters name) ;-( , a stranger walking on the street whom Anand goes at greets as ’’ Kaise Ho Murali lal .. Pechana ’’ when in reality he knows that he is not Murari lal and he as never met him earlier in life... After this weird way of getting to know each other Anand manages to befriend this stranger also.
’’Kisiko Dekha , Apna sa laga , use choo kar dekh liya , do pal baat kar li.. Bas Babu Moshai ’’
When Anand has the capacity to make such unknown people into well wishers, how could the wife of Dr. Prakash be not charmed by Anand, She starts considering him her brother
Tujhe kya aashirwaad du behen... Yeh bhi to nahi keh sakta ki meri umar tujhe lag jaaye
The movie also has some very memorable songs which bring out the hidden feelings and philosophy of life that Anand has
Kahin door jab din dhal jaaye... Mukesh
A sad song that brings out his feelings and in a way conveys that he is staring at the face of death. Scared. Yet smiling
Maine tere liye hi... Mukesh
A Happy and chirpy song... where he wishes good for all his fellow beings and happy memories that he has
Zindagi kaisi hai paheli.. Manna Dey
A songs with strong lyrics and a deep meaning.. Anand’s analysis of life.
Nothing, and No flaws can be found in any of the actors. With powerful, more correctly meaningful dialogues all of them have done a fantastic transition from the initial happy and glad days acting to the last tragic scene. Making this movie one, which you should not miss for anything.
And then the inevitable...Climax
The Helplessness shows on everyone’s faces as one and sundry is running about doing whatever they feel can possible to save Anand.
The doctors consult many specialists, Try out different medicines.
The Matron prays at the church, Johnny walker at the masjid, The sister at the temple and the Doctor’s servant goes off to his village to some renowned BABA who is know to have the power to cure such illnesses. All this though seems like typical Hindi movie melodrama has been very beautifully emoted by the actors, specially by Amitabh and Johnny walker..
Agli Mulakat yahin hogi.. Itni Jaldi Parda girne nahi dunga
And when nothing seems possible, They all just wait for death to come.
Dr.Banarjee, when realizes that his medicines and all the good wishes and prayers have proved futile rushes off to a homeopath to give it a last shot. But it is too late when he returns.... Anand dies.
Babu Mashai ....Zindagi aur Maut Upar wale ke haath hai Jahan Panah ...
Hum Sab to rang Manch ki Katputliyan hai...
Kaun Kab Kaise Uthega... Yeh Koi nahin Jaanta.. Ha HA HA HA...
The climax scene is so strong and intense that every time I see the movie , I say a secret prayer. Let Anand Live. Let the voice that comes of the tape recorder be his....
But no. Anand is dead. or is he?
Anand does manage to teach us few lessons
Live life till you are alive … Death is inevitable , but should NOT stop us from living>
Strangers are just people…waiting to be our friends >
Live life.. share life…..