On Saturday night, I watched one of Hrishikesh Mukherjee's masterpieces - Anand.

Although I had seen this movie earlier when I was younger in age and mind, this time around I managed to get a lot more out of this movie.

Rajesh Khanna has given an outstanding performance, perhaps one of the best in Indian cinema and Amitabh does well to play second fiddle. It reminded me of the Dustin Hoffman - Tom Cruise duo in The Rainman. Hoffman soaked the spotlight with his acting and Cruise was left to collect the props after the show was over. Of course, an Amitabh vs. Tom comparison is far from being fair, considering that the former is a very good actor. In fact, Amitabh won the best supporting actor award for his role in Anand. He was instrumental in giving Rajesh Khanna that extra push to remain on the top of the pedestal.

Coming to the film, Gulzar has etched a beautiful and thought-provoking script for this movie. Anand (Rajesh Khanna) suffers from cancer and is in his last stage. With no more than 3 months to live for, he is still chirpy and laughing all the time. He makes friends with strangers (the 'murarilals' of the world), makes people laugh and becomes their most endeared friend. As Amitabh (Dr. Bhaskar who is treating Anand) observes in his diary, he isn't quite sure whether Anand is laughing at life or at death.


The movie has some profound dialogues on the concept of life and death. Anand proudly claims "Zindagi badi honi chahiye, lambi nahi" and leaves the room carrying his trademark jhola, leaving Amitabh wondering how one could laugh all the way into the jaws of death.

One of the most well-crafted scenes in the movie is towards the end when Anand is on his death bed and the tape recorder switches on. Its a beautiful scene which probably only Hrishikesh Mukherjee could conceive.

At one moment, when you see what happens to Anand, you can't help but wonder the futility of existence. At the same time, the entire concept of Anand comes running back to tell you how to live that existence and make it more worthwhile for you and for people around you.

If you haven't watched this movie, you have missed one of the finest moments of Indian cinema. If you have watched this movie, you know what I am talking about.