Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Anand Was Based On His Friendship With Raj Kapoor: 'He Had A Pulse Problem'

The 1971 film Anand by director Hrishikesh Mukherjee, starring Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan in lead roles, remains a beloved Hindi classic. Even though it’s been over fifty years, its famous dialogue, “Babumoshai, zindagi badi honi chahiye, lambi nahi,” still resonates with the audiences. But, did you know the ace director was inspired by his friendship with actor-filmmaker Raj Kapoor for Anand?

In a 1998 interview with Rediff, Hrishikesh Mukherjee had mentioned that Anand was partly inspired by his relationship with Raj Kapoor. “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,” he had said.

Even during his illness, Raj Kapoor remained upbeat, spreading happiness instead of dwelling on his pain. Hrishikesh Mukherjee infused the character of Anand, played by Rajesh Khanna, with this same positivity. He also based Amitabh Bachchan’s character on himself, a friend who feared 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 be smiling always. The same way Amitabh would worry, and Rajesh would brush it off,” the director had recalled.

In the interview, the filmmaker said Anand took only 30 days to make. He also said that he believed Amitabh Bachchan, not Rajesh Khanna, was the main hero of the film. “I made Anand in 30 days, and I was confident of what I shot,” he had said back then, adding, “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.”

Anand released on March 12, 1971. The film starred Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Sumita Sanyal, and Ramesh Deo. Hrishikesh Mukherjee and NC Sippy produced it and Salil Chowdhury composed the music. The script was co-written by renowned lyricist Gulzar, who also contributed to the dialogues. Anand is regarded as one of the greatest Hindi films ever. At the Venice Film Festival in 1971, Rajesh Khanna was given a special award in the best actor category.