How many times have we seen Anand? Innumerable times and loved the film each time even more if you are like me. Seeing it at the Bimal Roy Memorial & Film Society screening was an unique experience for sitting next to me was the absolutely charming and brilliant Ramesh Deo and his wife Seema Deo. Both well known and loved actors from the Marathi stage and screen and amongst the best loved character actors of Hindi films. And the stars who assayed the most important supporting roles in Anand. Dr Prakash and his charming Marathi spouting young wife.
What little nuggets Ramesh ji kept sharing; his eyes brimming with laughter when he whispered how Hrishi da emphatically said no make up for Kaka and asked him gently but firmly to refrain from his hallmark hand over head gestures …how the last shot of “Kahin Door Jab Din Dhal Jaaye” was a last minute decision, Anand walking away from the foreground into the horizon and how “Maine Tere Liye Hi” was just one hour plus in shooting. 90 years old, Ramesh Deo, so engaging and so ramrod straight and alert and his irrepressible sense of humour intact. Both of them shared wonderful memories and despite having said they would stay only for a short while, they sat through the film, quietly getting up only towards the end when Anand finally takes to his bed. In a soft, shaky voice Rameshji says to me, taking my hand, “Let us go now, ab aage ke scenes mujhse dekha nahi jayega …..” it was certainly not Ramesh Deo speaking those words but the heart broken Dr Prakash Kulkarni who could not save his patient …
Viji Venkatesh
BRMC Committee Member
Region Head for South Asia at the Max Foundation
I saw Anand today on a new Tata Sky channel for vintage films. At 50, Anand certainly is vintage wine. I remembered the single screening of the enduring Hrishikesh Mukherjee film when we honoured two actors from the film, Seema and husband Ramesh Deo (that Viji recalls with feeling). They play an on screen couple in Anand. Ramesh Deo, of course enjoyed the dubious distinction of playing villainish parts which is cast aside in Anand. In Bimal Roy’s “Prem-Patra”, Deo is a man with a roving eye.
Watching Anand on a TV screen was no fun. What came through however was Rajesh Khanna’s charming performance. In a role that would easily tempt any actor to go over the top – Rajesh played it in a mellow, restrained tone- with occasional bursts of sunny joviality. A man on the edge – knowing his end is drawing near. The credit for which goes entirely to the director. Also the director took a few tips from real life, for example the character of a silent sadhu, Mouni baba-my Mother’s Guru, was a copy cat one. He sports an ensemble cast including old faithfuls like Asit Sen, Lalita Pawar and several others.
What most people are unlikely to know is that the evergreen Mukesh songs “Kahin door jab din dhal jaye” and “Maine tere liye hi” were written for a Basu Bhattacharya. Basu’s film finally did not get made. Composer Salil Chowdhury gave them to Anand. Amongst the film’s merit is establishing lyricist Yogesh in the rich tapestry of Hindi cinema poetry. Let me add, I am mighty proud to say, Bimal Roy Memorial honoured the soft spoken poet, Yogesh with a Life Time Achievement Award along with other luminaries like Shashi Kapoor.
Rinki Roy Bhattacharya
Chairperson: Bimal Roy Memorial Committee
102 Spencer Society, New Kantwadi Road,
Bandra-West, Mumbai- 400050
Maharashtra, India
bimalroymemorial@gmail.com
Picture Caption – Salil Chowdhury with his family, Basu Bhattacharya, Mukesh, Yogesh and Deb Mukherjee at the recording of ‘Kahin Door Jab Din Dhal Jaaye’
Picture Courtesy- Aloka Chowdhury