Simple narrations with excellent execution, his films are a masterpiece

A screenwriter, filmmaker, and producer, Chetan Anand was among the pioneer directors of Indian cinema. It was his knack for bringing to screen the simple narrations with extreme performances and depictions, Anand’s cinematic expression has always been a point on. Such was his on-screen narration that his debut film, Neecha Nagar, was awarded the Grand Prix Prize (Now Golden Palm) at the first-ever Cannes Film Festival in 1946. Later with his team of photographer Jal Mistry, music director Madan Mohan, lyrics writer KaifiAzmi and actress and partner PriyaRajvansh, gave some of the most memorable and unique films in Hindi cinema like Haqeeqat, HeerRaanjha, HansteZakhm, and Hindustan Ki Kasam. Here we take a look at a few of Chetan Anand’s films that one must watch.

Neecha Nagar This 1946 film was a pioneering effort in social realism in Indian cinema and paved the way for parallel cinema films in the Hindi film industry leading to more and more directors exploring this genre of storytelling. Starring Anand's wife Uma Anand, along with Kamini Kaushal, and Zohra Sehgal, the film was an Indian adaptation of Maxim Gorky's 1902 play The Lower Depths. It also became the first Indian film to gain recognition at the Cannes Film Festival, after it shared the Grand Prix du Festival International du Film (Best Film) award at the first Cannes Film Festival in 1946. It's the only Indian film to be ever awarded a Palme d'Or.

Hindustan Ki Kasam This 1973 war movie is based on Operation Cactus Lilly that took place during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. The unique aspect of this movie is that it is different from other war movies being made in the Indian cinema as it vividly describes the IAF's role in the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war in the western sector. The story of the film revolves around the IAF's mission of destroying a PAF radar, which blocks IAF pilot's radios in combat.

Taxi Driver A romantic musical starring the legendary Dev Anand, along with KalpanaKartik, Sheila Ramani, and Johnny Walker, the film was written, directed, and produced by Chetan Anand himself. The film follows Mangal, played by Dev Anand, a taxi driver who is called ‘Hero’ by his friends owing to his altruistic habits. While he is a cab driver by the day, at night he is mesmerized by a club dancer who has feelings for Mangal. However, the story picks up when one day, while assisting another taxi driver Mangal comes in contact with a damsel in distress, Mala played by KalpanaKartik, who is being molested by two thugs.

A few of Anand’s other films are Haqeeqat, Hindustan Ki Kasam, AakhriKhat, Aandhiyan, and Afsar.