Chetan Anand (producer & director)
Encyclopedia
Chetan Anand (3 January 1915 – 6 July 1997) was an acclaimed Hindi
film producer, screenwriter
and director
from India
, whose debut film, Neecha Nagar
, bagged the Palme d'Or
(Best Film) award, at the Cannes Film Festival
in 1946.
He is the eldest brother of the Anand family as he is the elder brother to Hindi film actor-directors, Dev Anand
and Vijay Anand. His younger sister, Sheel Kanta Kapur, is the mother of renowned Hindi and English film director Shekhar Kapur
.
in Punjab
. After graduating from Government College Lahore, he also remained a member of Indian National Congress
in the 1930s, subsequently worked for the BBC
and taught at the Doon School, Dehradun
for a while, before coming down to Mumbai to sell a film script .
, which he went on to show to director, Phani Majumdar in Bombay, but not before his failed attempt to qualify, the Indian Civil Service (ICS) exams, in London
. As luck would have it, Phani Majumdar, instead cast him, as a lead in his Hindi
film, Rajkumar, released in 1944. He also became associated with Indian People's Theatre Association
(IPTA
) in Bombay.
He soon took to film direction with the well-acclaimed movie, Neecha Nagar
which bagged the Palme d'Or
(Best Film) award, then known as 'Grand Prix', at the Cannes Film Festival
in 1946 . This film was also the debut film for Kamini Kaushal
, and became the first Indian film to gain international recognition and also debut of Pandit Ravi Shankar.
By early 50s, he and his younger brother Dev Anand
had set up `Navketan Productions' in Mumbai, and Afsar, starring Dev Anand and Suraiya
, was the first film made by Navketan, which turned out to be a moderate success, it was followed by Taxi Driver
and Andhiyan, both of which he directed for Navketan banner.
Later on Chetan Anand started his own production banner called Himalaya films and teamed up with photographer Jal Mistry, music director Madan Mohan
, lyrics writer, Kaifi Azmi
and actress, Priya Rajvansh
. Together they gave some of most memorable and unique films in Hindi cinema like Haqeeqat
, Heer Raanjha
, Hanste Zakhm
, Kudrat
and Hindustan Ki Kasam
.
Apart from 17 feature films he is also known for the acclaimed television serial, Param Vir Chakra, which was aired Doordarshan
in 1988.
After separation from his wife he had a long time relationship with the actress Priya Rajvansh
, she was the heroine of his film Haqeeqat
and all films after that. He had a relationship with her till his death.
. On 27 March 2000, Priya was murdered in his Juhu home, and in 2002, Chetan Anand's sons Ketan Anand and Vivek Anand along with their employees Mala Choudhary and Ashok Chinnaswamy, were given life imprisonment with her murder
A retrospective of his film was held at Struttgart Film Festival, and at India International Centre
, New Delhi
in 2007 .
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
film producer, screenwriter
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
and director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
from India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, whose debut film, Neecha Nagar
Neecha Nagar
Neecha Nagar is a 1946 Hindi film directed by Chetan Anand. Written by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas, this film was a pioneering effort in social realism in Indian cinema, and paved the way for many such 'Parallel Cinema' films by other directors and many of them written by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas...
, bagged the Palme d'Or
Palme d'Or
The Palme d'Or is the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival and is presented to the director of the best feature film of the official competition. It was introduced in 1955 by the organising committee. From 1939 to 1954, the highest prize was the Grand Prix du Festival International du...
(Best Film) award, at the Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
in 1946.
He is the eldest brother of the Anand family as he is the elder brother to Hindi film actor-directors, Dev Anand
Dev Anand
Dharam Dev Anand , better known as Dev Anand , is an Indian Hindi Cinema actor, director and film producer. Dev is the second of three brothers who were active in Hindi Cinema. His brothers are Chetan Anand and Vijay Anand. Their sister, Sheel Kanta Kapur, is the mother of renowned Hindi and...
and Vijay Anand. His younger sister, Sheel Kanta Kapur, is the mother of renowned Hindi and English film director Shekhar Kapur
Shekhar Kapur
Shekhar Kapur is an Indian film director and producer. A critically acclaimed director, he rose to popularity with the movie Bandit Queen...
.
Early life
Chetan Anand was born on 3 January 1915, in GurdaspurGurdaspur
Gurdaspur is a city in the state of Punjab, situated in the northwest part of the Republic of India. It is located in the center of and is the administrative head of Gurdaspur District. It was the location of a fort which was famous for the siege it sustained in 1712 from the Mughals...
in Punjab
Punjab (India)
Punjab ) is a state in the northwest of the Republic of India, forming part of the larger Punjab region. The state is bordered by the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh to the east, Haryana to the south and southeast and Rajasthan to the southwest as well as the Pakistani province of Punjab to the...
. After graduating from Government College Lahore, he also remained a member of Indian National Congress
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
in the 1930s, subsequently worked for the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
and taught at the Doon School, Dehradun
Dehradun
- Geography :The Dehradun district has various types of physical geography from Himalayan mountains to Plains. Raiwala is the lowest point at 315 meters above sea level, and the highest points are within the Tiuni hills, rising to 3700 m above sea level...
for a while, before coming down to Mumbai to sell a film script .
Career
In the early 1940s, while he was teaching History, he wrote a film script on king AshokaAshoka
Ashok Maurya or Ashoka , popularly known as Ashoka the Great, was an Indian emperor of the Maurya Dynasty who ruled almost all of the Indian subcontinent from ca. 269 BC to 232 BC. One of India's greatest emperors, Ashoka reigned over most of present-day India after a number of military conquests...
, which he went on to show to director, Phani Majumdar in Bombay, but not before his failed attempt to qualify, the Indian Civil Service (ICS) exams, in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. As luck would have it, Phani Majumdar, instead cast him, as a lead in his Hindi
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
film, Rajkumar, released in 1944. He also became associated with Indian People's Theatre Association
Indian People's Theatre Association
Indian People’s Theatre Association was an association of leftist theatre-artists and others mostly based in Kolkata, West Bengal, Mumbai and Assam, India. Its goal was to bring cultural awakening among the people of India. It was the cultural wing of the Communist Party of India...
(IPTA
Ipta
IPTA can refer to:* Indian People's Theatre Association* International Pulsar Timing Array...
) in Bombay.
He soon took to film direction with the well-acclaimed movie, Neecha Nagar
Neecha Nagar
Neecha Nagar is a 1946 Hindi film directed by Chetan Anand. Written by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas, this film was a pioneering effort in social realism in Indian cinema, and paved the way for many such 'Parallel Cinema' films by other directors and many of them written by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas...
which bagged the Palme d'Or
Palme d'Or
The Palme d'Or is the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival and is presented to the director of the best feature film of the official competition. It was introduced in 1955 by the organising committee. From 1939 to 1954, the highest prize was the Grand Prix du Festival International du...
(Best Film) award, then known as 'Grand Prix', at the Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
in 1946 . This film was also the debut film for Kamini Kaushal
Kamini Kaushal
Kamini Kaushal is a Hindi film and television actress, most noted for her roles in films like Neecha Nagar which won the 1946 Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Festival and Biraj Bahu which won her the Filmfare Best Actress Award in 1955.-Early life:Kaushal was born to a botanist and professor at...
, and became the first Indian film to gain international recognition and also debut of Pandit Ravi Shankar.
By early 50s, he and his younger brother Dev Anand
Dev Anand
Dharam Dev Anand , better known as Dev Anand , is an Indian Hindi Cinema actor, director and film producer. Dev is the second of three brothers who were active in Hindi Cinema. His brothers are Chetan Anand and Vijay Anand. Their sister, Sheel Kanta Kapur, is the mother of renowned Hindi and...
had set up `Navketan Productions' in Mumbai, and Afsar, starring Dev Anand and Suraiya
Suraiya
Suraiya Jamaal Sheikh was a singer and actress of the Indian films in the 40s and 50s, and was popularly known by her first name Suraiya..-Early life:...
, was the first film made by Navketan, which turned out to be a moderate success, it was followed by Taxi Driver
Taxi Driver (1954 film)
Taxi Driver is a 1954 Hindi movie produced by Navketan Films. The film is directed by Chetan Anand and stars his brother Dev Anand , Dev's wife to be Kalpana Kartik and Johnny Walker. The film's music director is S. D...
and Andhiyan, both of which he directed for Navketan banner.
Later on Chetan Anand started his own production banner called Himalaya films and teamed up with photographer Jal Mistry, music director Madan Mohan
Madan Mohan
Madan Mohan Kohli , better known as Madan Mohan, was a famed Bollywood film music director of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s...
, lyrics writer, Kaifi Azmi
Kaifi Azmi
Kaifi Azmi was an Indian Urdu poet. He is considered to be one the greatest Urdu poets of 20th century. Together with Pirzada Qasim, Jon Eliya and many others he participated in many memorable mushairas of 20th century.-Early life:...
and actress, Priya Rajvansh
Priya Rajvansh
Priya Rajvansh , born Vera Sundersingh, was an Indian film actress, who is known her performance in films like, Heer Ranjha and Hanste Zakhm , amongst a handful of films she did during her career....
. Together they gave some of most memorable and unique films in Hindi cinema like Haqeeqat
Haqeeqat
Haqeeqat is a 1964 Hindi war-film directed by Chetan Anand. It was supported by the Government of India.The movie stars Balraj Sahni, Dharmendra, Rajender Kumar, Priya Rajvansh, Sanjay Khan and Vijay Anand. the music is by Madan Mohan and the lyrics by Kaifi Azmi. The movie was based on the 1962...
, Heer Raanjha
Heer Raanjha
Heer Raanjha is a 1970 Hindi movie, produced by son Ketan Anand and directed by father Chetan Anand. The film stars Raaj Kumar, Priya Rajvansh, Pran, Prithviraj Kapoor, Ajit, Jayant, Sonia Sahni, Kamini Kaushal, Indrani Mukherjee, Achla Sachdev and Tun Tun...
, Hanste Zakhm
Hanste Zakhm
Hanste Zakhm is a 1973 Indian Hindi film produced and directed by Chetan Anand with music by Madan Mohan, and lyrics by Kaifi Azmi. The film stars Navin Nischol, Priya Rajvansh, Balraj Sahni, and Nadira in lead roles.-Plot & Textual Analysis:...
, Kudrat
Kudrat
Kudrat is a Hindi/Urdu word which was probably derived from the Persian language. It means Nature in English. The word is used widely in lots of expressions in Hindi and Urdu languages. There is also a 1981 Hindi movie written and directed by Chetan Anand. The film stars Rajesh Khanna and Hema...
and Hindustan Ki Kasam
Hindustan Ki Kasam
Hindustan Ki Kasam is a 1973 war movie based on the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 directed by Chetan Anand.-Cast:*Chetan Anand*Vijay Anand*Raaj Kumar*Priya Rajvansh*Balraj Sahni*Padma Khanna*Amjad Khan*Amrish Puri*Parikshat Sahni*Bharat Kapoor...
.
Apart from 17 feature films he is also known for the acclaimed television serial, Param Vir Chakra, which was aired Doordarshan
DoorDarshan
Doordarshan is an Indian public service broadcaster, a division of Prasar Bharati. It is one of the largest broadcasting organizations in India in terms of the infrastructure of studios and transmitters. Recently, it has also started Digital Terrestrial Transmitters. On September 15, 2009,...
in 1988.
After separation from his wife he had a long time relationship with the actress Priya Rajvansh
Priya Rajvansh
Priya Rajvansh , born Vera Sundersingh, was an Indian film actress, who is known her performance in films like, Heer Ranjha and Hanste Zakhm , amongst a handful of films she did during her career....
, she was the heroine of his film Haqeeqat
Haqeeqat
Haqeeqat is a 1964 Hindi war-film directed by Chetan Anand. It was supported by the Government of India.The movie stars Balraj Sahni, Dharmendra, Rajender Kumar, Priya Rajvansh, Sanjay Khan and Vijay Anand. the music is by Madan Mohan and the lyrics by Kaifi Azmi. The movie was based on the 1962...
and all films after that. He had a relationship with her till his death.
Death
He died on 6 July 1997, at the age of 82 in MumbaiMumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
. On 27 March 2000, Priya was murdered in his Juhu home, and in 2002, Chetan Anand's sons Ketan Anand and Vivek Anand along with their employees Mala Choudhary and Ashok Chinnaswamy, were given life imprisonment with her murder
Legacy
'Chetan Anand: The Poetics of Film', a book written by Chetan Anand's wife Uma Anand and son Ketan Anand (Himalaya Films Media Entertainment) was released in 2006 , also a documentary by the same made by Ketan Anand was released in 2008 .A retrospective of his film was held at Struttgart Film Festival, and at India International Centre
India International Centre
The India International Centre is a well known non-official organization situated in New Delhi, India. It was founded in 1958, and inaugurated in 1968...
, New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
in 2007 .
Filmography
- Neecha NagarNeecha NagarNeecha Nagar is a 1946 Hindi film directed by Chetan Anand. Written by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas, this film was a pioneering effort in social realism in Indian cinema, and paved the way for many such 'Parallel Cinema' films by other directors and many of them written by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas...
(1946) - Director - Afsar (1950) - Director, Screenwriter
- Aandhiyan (1952) - Director
- Taxi DriverTaxi Driver (1954 film)Taxi Driver is a 1954 Hindi movie produced by Navketan Films. The film is directed by Chetan Anand and stars his brother Dev Anand , Dev's wife to be Kalpana Kartik and Johnny Walker. The film's music director is S. D...
(1954)- Director, Screenwriter - FuntooshFuntooshFuntoosh is a 1956 Bollywood film directed by Chetan Anand. The film stars Dev Anand and Sheila Ramani.-Cast:*Dev Anand ... Ram Lal Funtoosh*Sheila Ramani ... Nilu*K.N. Singh ... Karodi Lal*Leela Chitnis...
- (1956) - Director - Kala BazarKala BazarKalla Bazar is a 1960 Hindi film. Produced by Dev Anand for Navketan films. Written and directed by Dev's younger brother Vijay Anand, who also has a role in the film....
-(1960) - Actor - Kinare Kinare (1963) - Director, Screenwriter
- HaqeeqatHaqeeqatHaqeeqat is a 1964 Hindi war-film directed by Chetan Anand. It was supported by the Government of India.The movie stars Balraj Sahni, Dharmendra, Rajender Kumar, Priya Rajvansh, Sanjay Khan and Vijay Anand. the music is by Madan Mohan and the lyrics by Kaifi Azmi. The movie was based on the 1962...
(1964) - Director, Screenwriter - Aakhri KhatAakhri KhatAakhri Khat is a 1966 Bollywood film written and directed by Chetan Anand. This is Rajesh Khanna's first film released, but actually his debut film is Raaz, which was released a year later...
(1966) - Director, Screenwriter - Heer RaanjhaHeer RaanjhaHeer Raanjha is a 1970 Hindi movie, produced by son Ketan Anand and directed by father Chetan Anand. The film stars Raaj Kumar, Priya Rajvansh, Pran, Prithviraj Kapoor, Ajit, Jayant, Sonia Sahni, Kamini Kaushal, Indrani Mukherjee, Achla Sachdev and Tun Tun...
(1970) - Director, Screenwriter - Hanste ZakhmHanste ZakhmHanste Zakhm is a 1973 Indian Hindi film produced and directed by Chetan Anand with music by Madan Mohan, and lyrics by Kaifi Azmi. The film stars Navin Nischol, Priya Rajvansh, Balraj Sahni, and Nadira in lead roles.-Plot & Textual Analysis:...
(1973) - Director, Producer - Hindustan Ki KasamHindustan Ki KasamHindustan Ki Kasam is a 1973 war movie based on the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 directed by Chetan Anand.-Cast:*Chetan Anand*Vijay Anand*Raaj Kumar*Priya Rajvansh*Balraj Sahni*Padma Khanna*Amjad Khan*Amrish Puri*Parikshat Sahni*Bharat Kapoor...
(1973) - Director - KudratKudratKudrat is a Hindi/Urdu word which was probably derived from the Persian language. It means Nature in English. The word is used widely in lots of expressions in Hindi and Urdu languages. There is also a 1981 Hindi movie written and directed by Chetan Anand. The film stars Rajesh Khanna and Hema...
(1981) - Director, Screenwriter - Hathon Ki Lakeerein (1986) - Director, Producer
- Param Veer Chakra (1988, TV Series) - Director
- Jaaneman (1976 ) - Director
- Saheb Bahadur ( 1977 )- Director , Producer
Awards
- 1946: Palme d'OrPalme d'OrThe Palme d'Or is the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival and is presented to the director of the best feature film of the official competition. It was introduced in 1955 by the organising committee. From 1939 to 1954, the highest prize was the Grand Prix du Festival International du...
(Best Film), Cannes Film FestivalCannes Film FestivalThe Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
: Neecha NagarNeecha NagarNeecha Nagar is a 1946 Hindi film directed by Chetan Anand. Written by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas, this film was a pioneering effort in social realism in Indian cinema, and paved the way for many such 'Parallel Cinema' films by other directors and many of them written by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas... - 1965: National Film Award for Second Best Feature FilmNational Film Award for Second Best Feature FilmThe National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film winners :-See also:...
: HaqeeqatHaqeeqatHaqeeqat is a 1964 Hindi war-film directed by Chetan Anand. It was supported by the Government of India.The movie stars Balraj Sahni, Dharmendra, Rajender Kumar, Priya Rajvansh, Sanjay Khan and Vijay Anand. the music is by Madan Mohan and the lyrics by Kaifi Azmi. The movie was based on the 1962... - 1982: Filmfare Best Story AwardFilmfare Best Story AwardThe Filmfare Award for Best Story is an given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise a writer who wrote a film's story.-1950s:* 1955 Mukhram Sharma - Aulad...
: KudratKudratKudrat is a Hindi/Urdu word which was probably derived from the Persian language. It means Nature in English. The word is used widely in lots of expressions in Hindi and Urdu languages. There is also a 1981 Hindi movie written and directed by Chetan Anand. The film stars Rajesh Khanna and Hema...