Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s ‘Anand’ to get a remake

TIL Desk Bollywood/ No lessons learnt about remaking iconic films. Remember what happened to Sholay and Padosan? Over 50 years after its release, Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s cult classic “Anand” is headed for a remake.

Sameer Raj Sippy, grandson of N C Sippy, the producer of the 1971 hit, is working on a new version of the film along with producer Vikram Khakhar. Regarded as one of the finest films in Hindi cinema, Mukherjee’s “Anand” featured the late superstar Rajesh Khanna in the title role of a terminally ill cancer patient and megastar Amitabh Bachchan as Dr Bhaskar, fondly called ‘Babumoshai’ by Khanna’s character. According to the makers, the project is in the scripting stage and a director is yet tobe finalised.

Sameer Raj Sippy said stories like “Anand” need to be narrated to the new generation. “Keeping in mind the sensibilities of the original film and the emotions attached, I felt the current generation needs to be retold the many stories that are so relevant today and especially when there is a great appetite for good content,” the producer said in a statement on Thursday.