Anand Revisited in Air India

I was in for a triple surprise on the Pune Delhi flight, Air India. It had an entertainment system, it worked, and they screened Anand- one of my favourite films. I was lost in the movie, with great acting, editing and direction- and story!

But this is about the bit actors, more than the hero, who of course was fabulous with his message of don't worry, be happy. From Johnny Walker playing the mythical 'Murarilal' whom Anand is always looking for, to Ramesh Deo (the doc treating him) and Seema (his wife), Lalita Pawar the matron, Durga Khote, Sumita Sanyal, Dara Singh the friendly pehelwan, they are all sewn together into a seamless whole, with an anchor in Amitabh Bachchan's supporting character of Dr. Banerjee, the strong, silent, helpless spectator of Anand's impending demise. The dialogue is impeccable, and the songs are a treat, after all these years.

One can only marvel at this brilliantly philosophical film by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, which delivers a knockout message, one which we struggle to imbibe.

3 comments:

Diamond Head said...

You could have broken out into a marathi song - Anandi Anand Gade - Jikde Tikde Chohikade (to the detriment of the soondariyans)

Meghna said...

After Rajesh Khanna's death, Envision had planned a screening of Anand as a tribute to Kaka. But that somehow did not materialize. Must remind them.. And 2 years back I was watching a movie on an Air India flight from B'lore to Bombay; they switched it off 10 minutes before the climax. I haven't been able to catch up on those 10 minutes till date. What luck!

Rajendra said...

You mean hawai sundariyaan, they have long matured into lovely aunties..but they feed you well.

Meghna, hope Air India wakes up and completes what it started :)

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