Director Mukul S. Anand was born into a family deeply connected to the Hindi film industry. His uncle, Inder Raj Anand, had already made a mark as a respected writer, penning Raj Kapoor’s 1948 classic Aag and several other notable scripts. Carrying forward this creative lineage, Inder’s son, Tinnu Anand, ventured into acting and filmmaking, directing Amitabh Bachchan-led projects like Kaalia (1981), Shahenshah (1988), and Major Saab (1998). Yet, despite these connections, Mukul’s own road to recognition was far from smooth.
Early Struggles and Personal Sacrifices
According to The Indian Express, Mukul’s father was a successful chartered accountant who managed the finances of several Bollywood stars. But when his father’s health declined, the family’s stability crumbled. Speaking to Rediff in one of his final interviews, the director recalled that his filmmaking ambitions stalled due to financial constraints.
To support his family, he turned to making and selling lampshades on Bandra’s Linking Road. Priced at around Rs 25 at the time, these handmade items allowed him to survive a difficult chapter of life. Anand explained that although the struggle was harsh, using his skills to feed his family gave him a sense of dignity and resilience that strengthened his spirit.
First Steps in Filmmaking
Despite these challenges, Anand broke into direction with Kanoon Kya Karega (1984), a suspense drama modeled after Hollywood’s Cape Fear. His second film, Aitbaar (1985), took inspiration from Alfred Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder. Recognition came with Sultanat (1986), a big-budget saga that marked the on-screen pairing of Dharmendra and Sunny Deol, while also introducing Juhi Chawla. That same year, Anand directed Main Balwan, a thriller that further showcased his versatility. His first box-office success arrived in 1987 with Insaaf, which played a pivotal role in bringing Vinod Khanna back into the film fold. Anand collaborated again with Khanna in Maha-Sangram (1990).
Partnership with Amitabh Bachchan
The defining chapter of Mukul Anand’s career unfolded with his collaborations with Amitabh Bachchan. Their first film together, Agneepath (1990), initially failed at the box office but gradually attained cult status. The movie rejuvenated Bachchan’s faltering career, earning him a National Award for his performance. Their next project, Hum (1991), was a roaring commercial success. Featuring an ensemble cast including Rajinikanth and Govinda, it is still remembered for its blockbuster track “Jooma Chumma De De.”
Riding high, Anand then directed Khuda Gawah (1992), an action epic with Bachchan and Sridevi. Shot extensively in Afghanistan, the film became celebrated for its scale, sweeping visuals, and technical precision. By then, Mukul Anand had established himself as a filmmaker renowned for grandeur and spectacle.
Later Films and Unfinished Dreams
After the success of Khuda Gawah, Anand attempted Trimurti (1995), starring Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, and Shah Rukh Khan. However, the film underperformed, prompting him to shift his focus to an even more ambitious venture, Dus. Based on India-Pakistan hostilities, the film featured a star-studded cast including Salman Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Shilpa Shetty, Raveena Tandon, and Rahul Dev in his debut role. According to Rediff, the production of Dus was riddled with problems—actors dropped out, schedules kept changing, and midway through the shoot, Anand himself passed away from a heart attack while filming in Utah.
A Director Ahead of His Time
Mukul Anand was not only a storyteller but also a visionary when it came to production design. Drawing from his understanding of texture and woodwork, he became the first Hindi filmmaker to incorporate foliage and natural backdrops on a grand scale, as per the Rediff report. This surprised and sometimes unsettled art directors, who were astonished at his deep grasp of their craft.
The Incomplete Swan Song
Following Anand’s death, his producing partner Nitin Manmohan tried to salvage Dus by bringing in veteran directors like Ramesh Sippy and David Dhawan. Yet neither could replicate Anand’s vision or match the magnificence of the climax sequences he had already shot. Ultimately, the film was shelved, leaving Dus as one of Bollywood’s most poignant unfinished projects.
Early Struggles and Personal Sacrifices
According to The Indian Express, Mukul’s father was a successful chartered accountant who managed the finances of several Bollywood stars. But when his father’s health declined, the family’s stability crumbled. Speaking to Rediff in one of his final interviews, the director recalled that his filmmaking ambitions stalled due to financial constraints.
To support his family, he turned to making and selling lampshades on Bandra’s Linking Road. Priced at around Rs 25 at the time, these handmade items allowed him to survive a difficult chapter of life. Anand explained that although the struggle was harsh, using his skills to feed his family gave him a sense of dignity and resilience that strengthened his spirit.
First Steps in Filmmaking
Despite these challenges, Anand broke into direction with Kanoon Kya Karega (1984), a suspense drama modeled after Hollywood’s Cape Fear. His second film, Aitbaar (1985), took inspiration from Alfred Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder. Recognition came with Sultanat (1986), a big-budget saga that marked the on-screen pairing of Dharmendra and Sunny Deol, while also introducing Juhi Chawla. That same year, Anand directed Main Balwan, a thriller that further showcased his versatility. His first box-office success arrived in 1987 with Insaaf, which played a pivotal role in bringing Vinod Khanna back into the film fold. Anand collaborated again with Khanna in Maha-Sangram (1990).
Partnership with Amitabh Bachchan
The defining chapter of Mukul Anand’s career unfolded with his collaborations with Amitabh Bachchan. Their first film together, Agneepath (1990), initially failed at the box office but gradually attained cult status. The movie rejuvenated Bachchan’s faltering career, earning him a National Award for his performance. Their next project, Hum (1991), was a roaring commercial success. Featuring an ensemble cast including Rajinikanth and Govinda, it is still remembered for its blockbuster track “Jooma Chumma De De.”
Riding high, Anand then directed Khuda Gawah (1992), an action epic with Bachchan and Sridevi. Shot extensively in Afghanistan, the film became celebrated for its scale, sweeping visuals, and technical precision. By then, Mukul Anand had established himself as a filmmaker renowned for grandeur and spectacle.
Later Films and Unfinished Dreams
After the success of Khuda Gawah, Anand attempted Trimurti (1995), starring Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, and Shah Rukh Khan. However, the film underperformed, prompting him to shift his focus to an even more ambitious venture, Dus. Based on India-Pakistan hostilities, the film featured a star-studded cast including Salman Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Shilpa Shetty, Raveena Tandon, and Rahul Dev in his debut role. According to Rediff, the production of Dus was riddled with problems—actors dropped out, schedules kept changing, and midway through the shoot, Anand himself passed away from a heart attack while filming in Utah.
A Director Ahead of His Time
Mukul Anand was not only a storyteller but also a visionary when it came to production design. Drawing from his understanding of texture and woodwork, he became the first Hindi filmmaker to incorporate foliage and natural backdrops on a grand scale, as per the Rediff report. This surprised and sometimes unsettled art directors, who were astonished at his deep grasp of their craft.
The Incomplete Swan Song
Following Anand’s death, his producing partner Nitin Manmohan tried to salvage Dus by bringing in veteran directors like Ramesh Sippy and David Dhawan. Yet neither could replicate Anand’s vision or match the magnificence of the climax sequences he had already shot. Ultimately, the film was shelved, leaving Dus as one of Bollywood’s most poignant unfinished projects.
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