MUMBAI :  1971,Anand starring Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan , directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee's is a classic Hindi film. Despite being over five decades old, it still touches the audience's heart whenever they hear the dialogue, ‘Babumoshai, zindagi badi honi chahiye, lambi nahi.’ But did you know Mukherjee drew inspiration for 'Anand' from his friendship with actor-filmmaker Raj Kapoor?

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In a 1998 interview, Mukherjee called 'Anand' a biographical film as he shared, ‘I got the idea to make this film after I became friends with Raj Kapoor.In fact, it is a kind of biography. I wrote 'Anand' when Raj Kapoor was not well.’

During his illness, Kapoor was never hopeless. He would spread happiness around him instead of showing his pain. Mukherjee introduces the character of Anand, played by Rajesh Khanna, with the same sense of positivity. Also, he modelled the character of Bachchan on himself, a friend who was always worried about losing his friend.

‘He (Raj Kapoor) was suffering from a pulse problem, but he still managed to smile and spread happiness around. I used to think if something happens to him, what will happen to me? We all were worried about him, and he would always be smiling. The same way Amitabh would worry, and Rajesh would brush it off,’ Mukherjee recalled.

During the same interview, the well known director revealed that 'Anand' was made in just 30 days. ‘I made 'Anand' in 30 days, and I was confident of what I shot.’

Though the film was titled 'Anand', for Mukherjee, Rajesh Khanna, whom he called ‘Pintu Baba.’ Instead, he believes it was Amitabh who was the lead hero of 'Anand'.

‘He (Bachchan) was the main character because he is there throughout the film, and through him, we get to know the story. Rajesh Khanna was the second main character. I just had to look at Amitabh to know that he was right for the role,’ Mukherjee mentioned.

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CREDIT:indiatoday