Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Amitabh Bachchan: A Mentor-Mentee Relationship
How Mukherjee gave Bachchan his break and helped him shape his career
Hrishikesh Mukherjee and his'maharaj' Amitabh Bachchan: 'Gurupita' who gave Big B his break, had him laughing in Anand's climax
One of the most famous filmmaking partnerships in Hindi cinema was that of Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Amitabh Bachchan. Mukherjee, often known as "Hrishi da," was a master of middle-class film; Bachchan, meanwhile, was a rising star best known for his appearances as irate young men. Bachchan gave a performance that would forever alter his career in Mukherjee's 1971 film "Anand," though.
Anand (Rajesh Khanna), a man who is terminally ill, is befriended by Bhaskar Banerjee, a cynical doctor, in the movie "Anand," in which Bachchan starred. Bhaskar starts to understand what friendship and life's true purpose are as the two men spend more time together. Bachchan's position as one of the top actors in Hindi cinema was solidified by the film's critical and financial success.
One of the most touching moments in Hindi film history is the movie "Anand"'s climax. Bhaskar is inconsolable after Anand's passing. A cassette with Anand's voice on it starts to play all of a sudden. Anand gives Bhaskar a parting advice on the tape on the value of enjoying every moment.
It is a moving scene that also inspires. Being able to see the loss of a close friend makes it heartbreaking. The fact that it serves as a reminder that our loved ones can continue to impart insightful lessons on life even after they pass away makes it upbeat.
During the filming of this poignant sequence, Bachchan allegedly laughed at Hrishikesh Mukherjee's jokes. Although Mukherjee wanted Bachchan to experience the joy of Anand's existence, he also realized that Bachchan needed to be able to grieve on screen. Mukherjee produced a scene that is both sorrowful and uplifting by having Bachchan chuckle in it.
Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Amitabh Bachchan had a relationship that went beyond the confines of their respective careers. Bachchan looked up to Mukherjee as a father figure and a mentor. Along with Abhimaan, Namak Haraam, and Chupke Chupke, the two men collaborated on a number of other movies.
Being a great visionary, Hrishikesh Mukherjee significantly influenced Amitabh Bachchan's career. For their ageless themes and endearing tales, Mukherjee's movies continue to be praised today.
