The Casting Story Behind Anand

The origins of Anand were deeply rooted in a real-life friendship. Director Hrishikesh Mukherjee drew inspiration from his close bond with Raj Kapoor and the fear he felt when Kapoor once fell seriously ill. The thought of losing a dear friend gave birth to the emotional core of the story.

The film centers on the friendship between two very different men: a thoughtful Bengali doctor and a lively, dramatic Punjabi patient who refuses to let illness dim his spirit. The doctor’s character was modeled after Hrishikesh Mukherjee himself, while the exuberant Anand was inspired by Raj Kapoor.

Even the affectionate nickname “Babumoshai,” used repeatedly in the film, came from the way Raj Kapoor fondly addressed Mukherjee in real life.

At first, Mukherjee hoped Raj Kapoor would play the role of Anand. But as the script developed, he found it impossible to imagine directing a film in which his friend—who had inspired the character—would die on screen. The emotional weight of that idea led him to search for other actors.

Several prominent names were considered for the role, including Shashi Kapoor, Kishore Kumar, and Uttam Kumar. Eventually, the script reached Rajesh Khanna, who at the time was the biggest superstar in Indian cinema. Drawn to the story, Khanna agreed to take on the role for a fee far below his usual rate.

The casting of the second lead, the quiet and introspective doctor known as “Babumoshai,” took an unexpected turn. Comedian and producer Mehmood, who had initially been considered for the part, suggested a relatively unknown actor who was working with him on the film Bombay to Goa. The young performer was still struggling to find his footing in the industry, but Mehmood believed he had immense potential.

That actor was Amitabh Bachchan.

With Rajesh Khanna portraying the radiant and unforgettable Anand and Amitabh Bachchan as the reserved doctor who narrates the story, Anand brought together two talents who would shape Hindi cinema in very different ways. One was already at the height of stardom, while the other was on the verge of transforming the future of Bollywood—and the image of the Indian screen hero—for decades to come.