'Anand', one of Rajesh Khanna's most memorable performances, needs a remake, feel Twitter users as the veteran Bollywood actor and the reigning king of the 70s celebrates his 69th birthday on Thursday. There is a series of remakes lined up in 2012 including that of 'Agneepath', starring actors Hrithik Roshan as Vijay Dinanath Chouhan and Sanjay Dutt as Kancha Cheena. 'Anand' tells the story of a reticent and introverted doctor treating a terminally ill patient.
Director Hrishikesh Mukherjee left the narrative of the poignant story to protagonist Amitabh Bachchan, then a rising star. Bachchan as the jaded Dr Bhaskar Banerjee develops a close bond with his patient Rajesh Khanna playing Anand Sehgal, the main lead who suffers from lymphosarcoma of the intestine.
The response to an IBNLive question - which Rajesh Khanna classic should find its way back in present day Bollywood as a remake - was in favour of Anand. Interesting options were offered for the role of the lead protagonists. Aradhana, Bawarchi and Kati Patang were the obvious choices for some.
"Anand remake? Risky but prefer to go with Aamir Khand as Anand and Abhisek Bachhan as Dr.Banerjee," tweeted user Jaal Mohon using the handle @mtanmay. His choice was seconded by @vigneshwar, Rimjhim Ray (@GlobeSlother) who would prefer to see the character of Anand played by Ranbir Kapoor and 'Babumosai' by Ajay Devgn. But Anand is not the only film the Twitteratti wants remade. At a time when three major classics of Bachchan are getting a makeover, they feel it is only fair that Khanna gets his due.
Actor Viveck Vaswani who uses the Twitter handle @VIVECKVASWANI pitched in sportingly, suggesting a modern day Amar Prem starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in the lead roles. Vaswani's second choice was another Khanna hit 'Kati Patang' with Khan and Aishwarya Rai.
Given a choice, Twitter user Aditi Sen (@senaditi) would remake 'Mehbooba' with Sanjay Dutt in the lead role and IIM graduate @jurnoleast revive the Red Rose with Emraan Hashmi. Mehbooba is a 1976 Shakti Samanta film dealing with afterlife and rebirth. Beside Khanna, it starred Hema Malini and Prem Chopra. The thriller Red Rose had Khanna and Poonam Dhillon in the lead roles.
Author Diptakirti Chaudhuri (@diptakirti) who blogs from Calcutta Chromosome and communication professional Saurabh Rathore (@SauReal) both wanted an Aradhana remake with the former suggesting Ranbir Kapoor and Vidya Balan for the lead roles. If Namak Haram is remade, @TheBitchnessman wants Amir Khan to play the role of Khanna, Kareena Kapoor as Rekha and Saif Ali Khan as Bachchan.
@Gablu said: "I will remake Aap Ki Kasam with Sharukh Khan (in Place of Rajesh Khanna), Kajol & Ajay Devgan (in place of Sanjeev Kumar)." Three of Bachchan's cult films – Don, Agneepath and Satte pe Satta have been chosen for remakes. Khanna, a towering star in the 70s, have given inspired performances in many of the films mentioned by the Twiteratti. A revamped Aradhana or Amar Prem may just be the films Bollywood is missing.
