Anand is a 1971 Indian Hindi-language drama film co-written and directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, with dialogues written by Gulzar. It stars Rajesh Khanna in the lead role, with a supporting cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Sumita Sanyal, Ramesh Deo and Seema Deo.

The film won several awards, including the Filmfare Award for Best Film in 1972. In 2013, it was listed in Anupama Chopra's book 100 Films To See before You Die. Anand is counted among the 17 consecutive box office successes of Rajesh Khanna between 1969 and 1971, adding the multistarrers Maryada (1971) and Andaz (1971). The film was a semi-hit at box office.[4][5] But it has since gained a cult following and is hailed as one of the greatest Hindi films ever made[by whom?]. Indiatimes listed it among the "25 must watch films Bollywood movies". Anand is one of the only two films that Khanna and Bachchan have starred together– the other being the 1973 film Namak Haraam, which was also directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee.

Format: NTSC, Color, Subtitled
Subtitles: English
Region: All Regions
See Photo for more details

Directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee
Written by;  Bimal Dutta, Gulzar, D.N. Mukherjee, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Biren Tripathy
Produced by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, N. C. Sippy
Cinematography Jaywant Pathare
Edited by Hrishikesh Mukherjee
Music by Salil Chowdhury
Release date;  12 March 1971
Running time 122 minutes
Country India
Language Hindi

Plot (Spoiler Alert)

Bhaskar, an oncologist, treats the poor for no charge but is often disheartened by the fact that he cannot cure all the ailments in the world. He becomes pessimistic after seeing the suffering, illness, and poverty all around him. He is straightforward and won't treat the imaginary ailments of the rich. His friend, Dr. Kulkarni, follows a slightly different path. He treats the imaginary illnesses of the rich and uses that money to treat the poor.

One day, Kulkarni introduces Bhaskar to Anand, who has lymphosarcoma of the intestine, a rare type of cancer. Anand has a cheerful nature and despite knowing the truth that he is not going to survive for more than six months, he maintains a nonchalant demeanor and always tries to make everyone around him happy. His cheerful and vibrant nature soothes Bhaskar, who has a contrasting nature and they become good friends. Anand has the rare quality of attracting people and befriending them. In one such encounter, he makes Isa Bhai, a theater actor, his friend. They enjoy each other's company and create an emotional bond.

Anand's condition gradually deteriorates, but he does not want to spend his remaining days in a hospital bed; he, instead, roams freely and helps everyone. He discovers that Bhaskar has strong feelings for Renu, whom he had treated previously for pneumonia. He helps Bhaskar express his love and convinces Renu's mother to bless their marriage. He tells Bhaskar that everyone should remember him as a lively person and not as a cancer patient. It is also discovered that he loved a girl back in Delhi who is now married to someone else because of Anand's illness. The day she got married, Anand came to Mumbai from Delhi to move on from her but keeps a flower in his book in her memory. Anand becomes sicker and sicker with time and is now bound to the house. He records Bhasker saying a poem and himself delivering dialogue and both of them laughing together on tape. He is counting his last breaths as his friends gather around him but Bhasker is gone to bring medicines for him. He shouts for him and dies. Bhasker comes back just a few minutes later and begs Anand to speak to him. Suddenly, the tape starts playing with Anand's voice and his friends cry for him. A couple of balloons are seen flying away in the sky as Anand leaves the world and flies away in the sky.