Starring
The story
Released on 12 March 1971, Anand is a Hindi-language drama directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, framed as a memory. At a book launch, the reserved Mumbai physician Dr. Bhaskar Banerjee (Amitabh Bachchan) begins to read from a diary and recalls a patient who changed his life: Anand Sehgal (Rajesh Khanna), a young man diagnosed with lymphosarcoma of the intestine and given only months to live.
Rather than surrender to the diagnosis, Anand fills his remaining days with laughter, mischief and affection for strangers, gently prodding the melancholy doctor he nicknames 'Babu Moshai' to embrace life instead of merely enduring it. The film sets Anand's exuberance against Bhaskar's disillusionment, and its power lies less in plot than in that contrast — a portrait of a man determined that a life should be measured by its depth rather than its length.
Making of the film
Mukherjee co-wrote and edited the film himself, with dialogue by Gulzar and production shared with N.C. Sippy. The premise is widely described as loosely inspired by Akira Kurosawa's Ikiru (1952), the story of a dying bureaucrat resolved to make his final days count.
The character of Anand was modelled on Mukherjee's close friend Raj Kapoor, who affectionately addressed the director as 'Babu Moshai' — the very endearment Anand bestows on Bhaskar. Reportedly conceived when Kapoor fell seriously ill, the film was dedicated to Raj Kapoor and to the people of Bombay. The casting travelled a long road before settling: Mukherjee replaced his original choice for Bhaskar with the then little-known Amitabh Bachchan, and by most accounts wrapped the shoot in roughly a month.
The music
The score and songs were composed by Salil Chowdhury, with lyrics by Gulzar and Yogesh — the latter's career revived by the film's success. In a notable choice, Chowdhury handed Anand's voice to Mukesh rather than Kishore Kumar, who had famously sung for Rajesh Khanna in Aradhana, giving the character a gentler, more reflective tone.
The soundtrack has outlived the film's box-office numbers. 'Kahin Door Jab Din Dhal Jaaye' and 'Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli' (both voiced by Mukesh and Manna Dey respectively), along with 'Na Jiya Lage Na' sung by Lata Mangeshkar, remain staples of Hindi film music. The melody of 'Kahin Door Jab Din Dhal Jaaye' was adapted from Chowdhury's own earlier Bengali composition.
Performances and awards
Anand is remembered as one of Rajesh Khanna's finest performances, arriving at the height of his superstardom and channelling his charisma into a role about mortality. For Amitabh Bachchan, still years from his 'angry young man' fame, the quietly intense Bhaskar was an early breakthrough that announced a major talent.
The film was a critical triumph. It won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi, and at the Filmfare Awards took Best Film, Best Actor for Khanna and Best Supporting Actor for Bachchan, alongside honours for its story, dialogue and editing. Gulzar's crisp, quotable lines were singled out for their own award.
Legacy
More than five decades on, Anand endures as a touchstone of Hindi cinema — routinely ranked among the greatest films the industry has produced and a fixture on 'must-watch' lists. Its meditation on friendship, joy and acceptance has kept it alive across generations who quote 'Babu Moshai' with instant recognition.
It also holds a curious place in film history as one of only two films to pair Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan, the other being Mukherjee's own Namak Haraam (1973). At the box office it was a modest rather than record-breaking earner in its day, yet its cultural stature has only grown, making it one of Mukherjee's most beloved and most rewatched works.
Key details
| Release year | 1971 |
|---|---|
| Language | Hindi |
| Director | Hrishikesh Mukherjee |
| Genre | Drama |
| Starring | Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan |
Did you know?
- Director Hrishikesh Mukherjee based the character of Anand on his close friend Raj Kapoor, who affectionately called him 'Babu Moshai' — the same nickname Anand gives Bhaskar in the film, which is dedicated to Kapoor and the people of Bombay.
- The film is widely regarded as loosely inspired by Akira Kurosawa's 1952 classic Ikiru, about a dying man determined to give his final days meaning.
- Amitabh Bachchan was still largely unknown when cast as Dr. Bhaskar Banerjee; Anand became one of his earliest breakthroughs and won him the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor.
- Composer Salil Chowdhury chose Mukesh to be the singing voice of Anand instead of Kishore Kumar, who had defined Rajesh Khanna's on-screen voice in Aradhana (1969).
- The melody of 'Kahin Door Jab Din Dhal Jaaye' was adapted from Chowdhury's own earlier Bengali song.
- Anand is one of only two films to star both Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan — the other being Namak Haraam (1973), also directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What illness does Anand have in the film?
Anand is diagnosed with lymphosarcoma of the intestine, a terminal cancer, and is given only a few months to live. The entire story unfolds in the shadow of that prognosis, which he refuses to let define how he spends his remaining time. His determination to live fully rather than mourn his fate is the emotional core of the film.
Is Anand based on a true story?
It is not a documentary account of real people, but it draws on real inspirations. The premise is widely described as loosely inspired by Akira Kurosawa's Ikiru, and the character of Anand was modelled on director Hrishikesh Mukherjee's friend Raj Kapoor. The film is dedicated to Kapoor and to the people of Bombay.
Who wrote the film's famous dialogues?
The dialogues were written by Gulzar, who won the Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue for the film. His lines, including the widely quoted use of 'Babu Moshai,' became some of the most memorable in Hindi cinema. Gulzar also contributed as a lyricist and to the screenplay.
Who composed the music and sang the songs?
The music was composed by Salil Chowdhury, with lyrics by Gulzar and Yogesh. The playback singers included Mukesh, Manna Dey and Lata Mangeshkar, with Mukesh voicing songs such as 'Kahin Door Jab Din Dhal Jaaye.' The soundtrack remains one of the most cherished in Hindi film music.
What awards did Anand win?
Anand won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi. At the Filmfare Awards it took Best Film, Best Actor for Rajesh Khanna and Best Supporting Actor for Amitabh Bachchan, along with awards for its story, dialogue and editing. It remains one of the most decorated films of its era.
Why do people call it a Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan classic?
Anand is one of only two films to feature both superstars together, the other being Namak Haraam (1973). It captured Rajesh Khanna at the peak of his stardom and introduced a young Amitabh Bachchan in a major role before his own rise to fame. Their contrasting performances as the joyful patient and the sombre doctor are central to the film's enduring appeal.
Reference: Wikipedia
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