Director and producer Manmohan Desai was simultaneously shooting two films. On one side, ‘Dharma Veer’ was running fast, on the other side, ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’.
He took his story from a newspaper report, which reported that a drunkard had abandoned his three children in a park. Making this the subject, they thought to make a film on this news, in which they will show that one child is brought up in a Muslim, another Hindu and third Christian family.
It was a multi-star cast film, in which he included Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor and Vinod Khanna. Obviously, the work of the heroines with such a large male cast was negligible. Manmohan Desai still decided to cast Zeenat Aman, the heroine of the upcoming film ‘Dharam Veer’ whose performance he was impressed with.
Manmohan Desai believed that Zeenat Aman would pair well with Amitabh Bachchan while choosing Neetu Singh for Rishi Kapoor and Shabana Azmi for Vinod Khanna.
Both these heroines accepted the offer, but Zeenat Aman’s case turned out to be different. Director Manmohan Desai told Zeenat Aman of his heart’s desire one day during the shooting of ‘Dharma Veer’, and Zeenat Aman demanded to read the script first.
When Zeenat Aman reached the script, he studied it carefully. He felt that there was nothing for him to do in this film. Seeing this, Zeenat Aman apologized.
When this news reached Manmohan Desai, his anger reached the seventh heaven. Once again he inquired the reason from Zeenat Aman, so he smilingly explained the same reason that I have nothing to do in it, and also said that the remuneration he is getting is also less. .
Manmohan Desai was not in the mood to throw out Zeenat Aman from his upcoming film ‘Dharamveer’. When I mentioned this to the assistant, he suggested that 75% of the film was already completed, so it would be better not to take this step.
So Desai agreed here, but for ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’, Manmohan Desai did not delay even for a moment and replaced Zeenat Aman immediately with Parveen Bobby.
Now the situation was that ‘Dharamveer’ and ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’ were being made simultaneously but Manmohan Desai was all focused on ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’.
The film was produced in a very short period of time and not only hit the theaters on May 27, 1977, but also created a sensation at the box office. Although the role of heroines Parveen Bobby, Neetu Singh and Shabana Azmi were really obligatory, but still the story was such that no one felt this deficiency.
However, Manmohan Desai got free time from ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’ and now he is busy completing ‘Dharma Veer’. During the shooting of the film, the bitterness between Zeenat Aman and Manmohan Desai continued to grow and on many occasions they took out their anger on Zeenat Aman in one scene or the other.
Manmohan Desai’s assistant director Anil Nagarath was sensing all this, so he went ahead and started doing the rest of the photography himself as he didn’t want the film to be affected in any way.
Then on September 6, 1977, ‘Dharamveer’ also hit the theaters, and like other films of Manmohan Desai, it too raised flags of success.
Zeenat Aman’s acting peaked in this film. Due to which he later got the opportunity to act in the best films like ‘Shalimar,’ ‘Don,’ ‘Great Gambler,’ ‘Dostana,’ ‘Lawarath’ and ‘Ram Balaram’.
Zeenat Aman was grateful to Mohan Desai, but she did not know that he had angered her by refusing to work in ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’.
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In such a situation, when Manmohan Desai planned to make ‘Sehaag’ and ‘Desh Premi’ in the next two years, the production team said that these days the pairing of Zeenat Aman with Amitabh Bachchan, with whom His Don, Great Gambler, Dostana and Iraaraath have become hits, so it would be better to cast Zeenat Aman for both these films.
But Manmohan Desai flew away. He bluntly said that no matter what happens, I will not take Zeenat Aman as a heroine. He cast Praveen Bobby in both the films.
The quick-tempered man Mohan Desai also made it clear to his production team that they should never again pitch Zeenat Aman’s name to him for any film. It so happened that as long as Manmohan Desai was alive, he never again cast Zeenat Aman for any film.
Thus, Zeenat Aman’s ‘No’ to a great director put him out of his camp forever.
When Zeenat Aman came to know about this, she also started to feel sad that she did not apologize for not acting in the super hit movie ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’. This regret came to him even more in 1978 when ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’ got the highest seven nominations at the Filmfare Awards along with Zeenat Aman’s ‘Hum Kissi Se Kum Nahin’.
Although Zeenat Aman’s role in ‘Hum Kisei Kum Nahi’ was that of a guest actress, Zeenat Aman regretted that if she had agreed to act in the film, she would have had the unique honor of being the two most nominated actresses. The films belonged to him.
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#Jab #Zeenat #Amans #director #lost #mind
**Interview with Film Historian Dr. Rahul Mehta on the Legacy of *Amar Akbar Anthony***
**Interviewer**: Today, we have Dr. Rahul Mehta, a renowned film historian, to discuss the incredible journey behind the making of *Amar Akbar Anthony*, directed by Manmohan Desai. Welcome, Dr. Mehta.
**Dr. Rahul Mehta**: Thank you for having me!
**Interviewer**: It’s fascinating to learn that Manmohan Desai was working on two major films simultaneously. How do you think that affected the production of *Amar Akbar Anthony*?
**Dr. Mehta**: It’s significant. Balancing two films, especially one as ambitious as *Amar Akbar Anthony*, would have required Desai to harness all his creative energy and organizational skills. This dual focus likely pushed him to innovate and streamline his film-making process, ultimately contributing to the successful and rapid production of the film.
**Interviewer**: Speaking of innovation, the premise of the film—taking inspiration from a newspaper report about three children raised in different faiths—is quite intriguing. How do you think this premise resonated with audiences at the time?
**Dr. Mehta**: The premise was groundbreaking, especially in the context of 1970s India. It resonated deeply with the audience, reflecting the country’s secular ethos while addressing communal harmony. Such a portrayal was both refreshing and socially relevant, providing a blend of entertainment and commentary on societal values.
**Interviewer**: Manmohan Desai had a stellar cast for the film, including Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor, and Vinod Khanna. However, Zeenat Aman’s eventual replacement by Parveen Bobby is notable. What do you make of that casting decision?
**Dr. Mehta**: Zeenat Aman’s initial reluctance to join was understandable, given the limited roles for women in such ensemble casts. However, Desai’s swift replacement with Parveen Bobby was strategic; he needed a strong actress who could complement the male leads and bring charisma to the film. It worked perfectly, as Bobby was a rising star, and her presence helped maintain the film’s energy.
**Interviewer**: The film was indeed a massive hit upon its release. What elements do you think contributed to its box office success despite the minor roles for the actresses?
**Dr. Mehta**: The film’s vibrant storytelling, catchy music, and lively performances by its male leads played a vital role. The film also cleverly merged comedy, drama, and action, appealing to a broad audience. While the heroines had less screen time, the story and musical numbers provided just enough to engage viewers without detracting from the main narrative.
**Interviewer**: Lastly, what legacy do you believe *Amar Akbar Anthony* has left in Indian cinema?
**Dr. Mehta**: It’s left an indelible mark. Not only is it celebrated for its entertaining storyline, but it’s also a significant cultural commentary on India’s diversity and unity. It paved the way for future filmmakers to explore similar themes within a commercial framework, thus embedding itself as a classic in the annals of Bollywood history.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Dr. Mehta, for sharing your insights. It’s clear how *Amar Akbar Anthony* continues to be relevant and influential even decades later.
**Dr. Mehta**: My pleasure! It’s a film that will always be remembered for its heart and humor.