The younger brother of Chetan and Dev Anand, Vijay Anand having a multifaceted personality, started his career as a director but later made a distinctive place as a filmmaker, producer, screenwriter, editor, and actor. Some of his iconic films include Guide, Teesri Manzil, Jewel Thief, and Johny Mera Naam as a director and Haqeeqat, Kora Kaghaz, and Main Tulsi Tere Angan Ki as an actor.
Early Life of Vijay Anand
Vijay Anand, affectionately known as Goldie, was born on January 22, 1934, in Gurdaspur, Punjab, India. He was the youngest of eight siblings in the Anand family, which included notable figures like his brothers, the celebrated actor Dev Anand and filmmaker Chetan Anand. Vijay’s father, Pishori Lal Anand, was a successful advocate. Vijay lost his mother at a young age and was raised by his eldest brother, Chetan, and his wife, Uma. They had a significant influence on his early life and career.
He has one more brother, Manohar Anand, who was an advocate at Gurdaspur Dist. Court, as well as sisters Savitri (Kanti) Kohli, Sheel Kanta Kapoor, mother of film director Shekhar Kapur, Usha Madhok, and Bonnie Sareen.
Vijay attended St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, where he met theatre great Satyadev Dubey. The two become friends for life and he shared a deep bond. Vijay Anand’s career in the film industry began as a screenwriter. He co-wrote the script for the film Taxi Driver (1954) with his sister-in-law Uma Anand. The film, starring his brother Dev Anand, was a significant success and marked the beginning of Vijay’s illustrious career.
Vijay Anand The Filmmaker
Vijay Anand made his directorial debut with the film Nau Do Gyarah (1957), which was based on his own script. Starring Dev Anand and Kalpana Kartik, he shot the film in just 40 days. This film established Vijay as a talented director with a unique visual style, especially in song sequences.
Vijay Anand carved his niche with a distinctive style marked by innovative storytelling and gripping narratives. In the early 60s, Vijay Anand joined Navketan Films and takes the banner to even greater lengths. Vijay Anand went on to direct some of Nav Ketan’s most successful films over the years.
In 1960, Vijay Anand directed “Kala Bazar (1960),” featuring Dev Anand as a black marketer who reforms after falling in love. The film also starred Waheeda Rehman and Nanda.
In 1961, Goldie wrote Hum Dono, where Dev Anand played a double role of Major Verma and Anand, along with Sadhana and Nanda. The film explored the themes of personal identity and duty. Dev Anand’s charismatic performance combined with music by Jaidev, made it a classic. The film’s songs, like “Kabhi Khud Pe Kabhi Haalaat Pe Rona Aaya,” “Abhi Na Jao Chhodkar,” “Mai Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya,” and “Allah Tero Naam,” are still remembered and cherished.
In 1963, came “Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963),” a romantic comedy starring Dev Anand and Nutan. In this romantic comedy, Vijay Anand showcased Dev Anand’s lighter side. Dev played the role of Rakesh, an architect caught between the constant rivalry of his father with his archenemy. To make matter worse the enemy was none other than the father of the girl he loves. The film’s breezy narrative and Dev Anand’s effortless charm, along with beautiful music from S. D. Burman, made it a delightful watch.
Guide
One of his most significant achievements was “Guide (1965),” based on the novel Guide by RK Narayan. Starring Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman, the film tells the story of Raju, a tour guide who transforms into a spiritual guide. Dev Anand’s portrayal of Raju earned him critical acclaim and the Filmfare Award for Best Actor. The film was also India’s official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 38th Academy Awards. The film also earned the Filmfare Best Director Award for Vijay Anand. It also gets a nomination for Best Director at the Chicago International Film Festival.
The film’s success at the box office and its artistic merit underscored Navketan Films’ status as a production house that did not shy away from taking risks and pushing boundaries.
Continuing Success
In 1967, he directed “Jewel Thief,” a thriller where De Anand played the role of Vinay, a man mistaken for a notorious jewel thief. The film’s gripping storyline, coupled with the performances of its cast, which includes Ashok Kumar, Vyjyantimala, Tanuja, and Dev Anand, made it a box office hit. In 1970, Vijay Anand directed the action-packed Johny Mera Naam (1970), which proved to be a big success.
One of his most memorable films Teesri Manzil came in 1966. It is considered one of the finest musical mysteries of Hindi cinema. The film starring Shammi Kapoor and Asha Parekh is a gripping murder mystery with many twists and turns. The film keep the viewers on the edge of their seats.The film has songs like “O Haseena Zulfonwale Jane Jahan,” “Aaja Aaja Main Hoon Pyar Tera,” “Deewana Mujhsa Nahin,” and “Tumne Mujhe Dekha Hokar Meherban.”
His other directorial ventures, like Kahin Aur Chal (1968), Tere Mere Sapne (1971), Blackmail (1973), Chhupa Rustam (1973), Bullet (1976), Ek Do Teen Chaar (1980), Ram Balram (1980), Rajput (1982), and Main Tere Liye (1988), showcased his ability to blend suspense, romance, action, and social commentary seamlessly.
His Craft
Vijay Annad always had distant vision and artistic approach in his films. From directing nerve-wracking thrillers and romantic comedies to sentimental classics and family dramas, he was a man who had touched everything with elegance and perfection.
Vijay Anand is also known for his stylish song picturization. Almost all the songs of Guide are masterclasses of song picturization. His other songs, such as “Dil Ka Bhanwar (Tere Ghar Ke Samne),” “O Haseena Zulfonwali (Teesri Manzil),” “Honthon Mein Aisi Baat,” and “Rulaake Gaya Sapna Mera” (Jewel Thief), have become a study source for new filmmakers. Hollywood director Mike Judge was a fan of Vijay Anand and even animated a character resembling him in the film “Beavis and Butthead Do America.”.
Vijay Anand The Actor
Goldie made his debut as an actor with the film Agra Road (1957); he went on to give impactful performances in films like Kala Bazar (1960), Haqeeqat (1964), Tere Mere Sapne (1971), Kora Kagaz (1974), and Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978).
He also acted in the thriller Chor Chor (1974) with Leena Chandavarkar, Ghungroo Ki Awaaz (1981), Double Cross (1972), & Chhupa Rustam (1973).
To the younger generation of the 1990s, he is also known for playing detective “Sam deSilva” in the television series Tehkikaat (1994).
Personal Life
Vijay Anand was a disciple of Osho Rajneesh and often spent time at the Pune ashram.
Vijay Anand first married to Lovleen, but the couple divorced after some time. Against the opposition of family and society, Vijay married his much younger niece, Sushma Kohli, the daughter of his sister Savitri and sister of filmmaker Yash, Purab, and Hersh Kohli. He has a son, Vaibhav Anand, who is also a filmmaker and actor.
He died on 23 February 2004 due to a heart attack at the age of 70. Sushma Anand died of cardiac arrest on 27 August 2023.
Vijay Anand on IMDB
