Legend has it…

Nonika Singh

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Ketan Anand may not be a classic example of ‘like father like son’. But as he stands as the proud son of legendary filmmaker Chetan Anand, he can go on and on about his father’s exceptional filmmaking abilities. And in the centenary year of Chetan Anand’s birth anniversary he has taken the mantel upon himself to remind the world why his father’s genius should be celebrated.

What made his father stand apart was the fact that he carved a solitary path and couldn’t care less about what the world thought and made the kind of cinema he wanted to. Path breaking films, such as Aakhri Khat, is Ketan’s favourite, which by the way inspired the makers of Bajrangi Bhaijaan, and then Neecha Nagar, the first Indian film to be recognized at the Cannes film festival, are only few exemplary examples. Then Haqeeqat was India’s first war, rather anti-war, film. Interestingly, to fulfill his father’s wish, who had once told him, “If only I had made Haqeeqat in colour,” Ketan has come up with an abridged version in colour.

Much of what he feels about his father of course he has already shared in a book Chetan Anand: The Poetics of Film, co-authored with mother dearest. Father was dear too, from whom he learnt many lessons in making films though he does wish he could be closer to him at a personal level.

He rues, “My father was a patriarch of sorts who kept to himself and I so wish we could be friends.” Ketan shared greater camaraderie with his uncle Vijay Anand and seems to be rather possessive about him if his comment on director Sriram Raghavan a self-confessed fan of Vijay is to be taken seriously. But Ketan denies the adverse comments on Raghvan attributed to him, “For one, I have not seen Badlapur and if someone is a fan of Goldie uncle I would only be too happy.”

Being the son of a legend is tough enough. So what happens when you hail from a family of legends? Well, you grow up watching name, fame and success up close and personal though he qualifies it was not his father but Dev uncle who was the star of the family. Nevertheless he has wonderful memories of all three stalwarts “great men with great vision.”

Compared to their singular achievements, though he did go on to make some meaningful films like Shart, his work certainly pales in comparison. But then life has not been too kind to him. Still following the teachings of J and UG Krishnamurthy, he has no regrets.

Much water has flown under the bridge and he knows, “You can’t grab a river.” However, you may not be able to turn the clock backward, he is certainly looking ahead and is excited to launch his nephew Surya Rishi Anand. Another Dev Anand in the making? He quips, “The days when you could just smile into the camera and nod your head to stardom are over. I hope he will be just himself.”

Yet another advantage of being the inheritor of illustrious legacy is you can say what you want to and get away with it. But before you read anything nasty into his observation, let you be reminded that yesteryear’s evergreen star doted on Ketan.

nonikasingh@tribunemail.com