Kishore Kumar, revered as one of the most legendary singers in the Hindi film industry, was not only a singer but also an accomplished actor and director. In an interesting twist of fate, the celebrated singer-actor was initially offered the role of superstar Rajesh Khanna in Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s 1971 film ‘Anand.’ However, Kishore Kumar went bald to avoid the same. This intriguing behind-the-scenes revelation was brought to light by renowned poet-lyricist Gulzar in his memoir, ‘Actually… I Met Them: A Memoir.’
Gulzar, the celebrated writer behind the dialogues of ‘Anand,’ provided a captivating glimpse into the pre-production phase of this iconic film, revealing the unexpected twists and turns characteristic of Bollywood’s golden era. One particularly intriguing detail about ‘Anand’ is that it marks one of the rare instances where Bollywood legends Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan shared the screen. Their memorable collaboration was later revived in the 1973 classic ‘Namak Haraam,’ also directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee.
Gulzar recounted a particularly dramatic episode just days before the shooting of ‘Anand’ was set to commence. A meeting had been scheduled to finalize Kishore Kumar’s look for the film. However, to everyone’s astonishment, the famously unpredictable Kishore Kumar arrived completely bald. This whimsical act left the film’s team in shock, as Kishore Kumar gleefully danced around the office, teasing director Hrishikesh Mukherjee about how he planned to proceed with a bald lead actor.
This unexpected situation prompted a swift change in plans, leading to Rajesh Khanna being cast in the lead role. Reflecting on this incident, Gulzar speculatesd in his book that Kishore Kumar might never have intended to play the part seriously. His impulsive decision to shave his head was yet another manifestation of his mercurial personality.
Despite the initial chaos, ‘Anand’ went on to achieve critical acclaim, winning numerous awards, including the prestigious Filmfare Award for Best Film in 1972. Gulzar’s writings further illustrated that Kishore Kumar’s penchant for mischief extended beyond directors to producers as well. The legendary singer-actor was known for leaving producers in challenging situations with his unpredictable behavior, a testament to his playful and free-spirited nature.
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