Anand (1971) Top Indian Movie

The classic story of a terminally ill man who wishes to live life to the full before the inevitable occurs, as told by his best friend.

Director:

 Hrishikesh Mukherjee

Writers:

 Hrishikesh Mukherjee (story), Hrishikesh Mukherjee(screenplay) | 4 more credits »

Stars:

 Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Sumita Sanyal |See full cast & crew

Storyline

A melodramatic tale of a man with a terminal disease. The story begins with Dr Bhaksar winning a literary prize for his book about a patient called Anand. The rest is flashback. Anand, the title character, is suffering from lymphosarcoma of the intestine. He, however appears to be cheerful on the outside and is determined to extract as much pleasure from his remaining lifespan as is possible. Dr. Bhaskar his physician tends to Anand in his last days. After Anand dies we can however still hear his voice which was recorded on a tape. Dr Bhakser writes a book on his patient and wins a literary prize for it Written by Anonymous

User Reviews

Are we forgetting to make films like anand?

1 September 2005 | by kushal-2 (India) – See all my reviews

a masterpiece, though is better appreciated if you've had an Indian upbringing, especially in the kind of life we used to live in the last century. but that should not stop anybody's heart from being moistened by Anand - its that kind of a film which makes you feel that cloudy ball in your throat, a feeling we hardly have today.

i never saw Anand on big screen, i.e. a theater, didn't get a chance to. but seen it countless number of times i have, each leaving me haunted by that epic last scene, and each letting me discover another gleam in its brilliance.

A great story, in fact that storyness of it struck me first, its difficult to come across a character like Anand's (Rajesh Khanna)in real life, laughing his way to the end. it is for souring such larger-than-lifeness one sees cinemas at times. Amitabh as Dr. Bhaskar with wells of life just under his brooding exterior, was a giveaway at such an early stage of his career that he was destined for a place much beyond the ordinary.

Hrishikesh Mukherjee crafted it to perfection. Salil chowdhury excelled with some of the most melodious tunes ever and the co actors could reach the lofty heights the film dared them to.

but finally it was Rajesh Khanna. yes a shade melodramatic, a touch idiosyncratic may be but you can't deny the vivacity with which he demands your attention, slowly takes over your heart and you don't want him to die and when he does your tears tell you that you just been watching a film.

yeah some films can make you do that. not a tear jerker, but a weller-up of them. its not good in a way though, 'cause it makes you search for such standards ever since, and the disappointment is bitter. but then there's always the DVD and the remote!