Amar Akbar Anthony is a 1977 Indian action comedy film, produced and directed by Manmohan Desai, and written by Kader Khan. The film, which is based on the lost and found theme, is about three brothers separated from their parents and each other in childhood, and raised in three different faiths, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. They unite in their youth to fight a common villain. It was the biggest blockbuster of 1977, and won several awards at 25th Filmfare Awards including Best Actor, Best Music Director and Best Editing. Amar Akbar Anthony was Desai's first film as an independent film producer.
Directed by Manmohan Desai
Produced by Manmohan Desai
Written by Kader Khan (dialogue)
Prayag Raj (screenplay)
K.K. Shukla (scenario)
Story by Jeevanprabha M. Desai (story)
Pushpa Sharma (story idea)
Starring Vinod Khanna
Rishi Kapoor
Amitabh Bachchan
Shabana Azmi
Neetu Singh
Parveen Babi
Nirupa Roy
Pran
Jeevan
Nazir Hussain
Ranjeet
Helen
Music by Laxmikant-Pyarelal
Anand Bakshi (lyrics)
Cinematography Peter Pereira
Edited by Kamlakar Karkhanis
Release date May 27, 1977
Running time 175 mins
Country India
Box office ₹155 million
The film stars three actors: Amitabh Bachchan (as Anthony Gonsalves), Vinod Khanna (as Amar Khanna) and Rishi Kapoor (as Akbar Allahabadi). Each of the heroes had an affiliation with a heroine; these women were played by Parveen Babi, Shabana Azmi and Neetu Singh. Nirupa Roy, Pran and Jeevan played supporting roles. The music was composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Kishore Kumar sang for Bachchan and Mohammed Rafi sang for Kapoor. The soundtrack was one of Mukesh's last soundtracks with Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Anand Bakshi was the lyricist.
The film about religious tolerance became a landmark in Bollywood masala films. It also had a lasting impact of the pop culture, with its catchy songs, one-liners and the character of Anthony Gonsalves played by Amitabh Bachchan. It was later remade in Tamil as Shankar Salim Simon (1978), in Telugu as Ram Robert Rahim (1980) and in Malayalam as John Jaffer Janardhanan (1982).
Vinod Khanna as Inspector Amar Khanna, the second son (raised as a Hindu)
Rishi Kapoor as Akbar Allahabadi/Raju, the third son (raised as a Muslim)
Amitabh Bachchan as Anthony Gonsalves, the first son (raised as a Christian)
Shabana Azmi as Laxmi, a common thief and Amar's love interest
Neetu Singh as Dr. Salma Ali, Akbar's neighbor doctor and love interest
Parveen Babi as Jenny, Robert's daughter and Anthony's love interest
Nirupa Roy as Bharati, mother of the three sons
Pran as Kishanlal, father of the three sons
Jeevan as Robert, the mob boss
Jeevan also portrayed Albert, Robert's estranged brother
Nazir Hussain as the church priest and Anthony's foster father
Ranjeet as Ranjeet, Laxmi's abusive brother
Helen in a special appearance
Yusuf Khan as Zubesko, one of Kishanlal's former bodyguards
Amar Akbar Anthony
Studio album by Laxmikant-Pyarelal
Released 1977
Label Universal Music
Laxmikant-Pyarelal chronology
Dream Girl
(1977)
Amar Akbar Anthony
(1977)
Dildaar
(1977)
The soundtrack was composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal, and the lyrics were penned by the veteran Anand Bakshi. The soundtrack of the movie proved as popular and successful as the movie itself. The vocals of the songs again have been given by some of the biggest names in the Indian music industry: Mohammed Rafi, Mukesh, Kishore Kumar, Mahendra Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar, Shailender Singh and Amitabh Bachchan (sang in the song "My Name is Anthony Gonsalves"). For the song, "Humko Tumse Ho Gaya Hai" four leading playback singers, Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, and Mukesh sang together for the first and only occasion. The film also features a comical qawwali, "Parda Hai" (There is Veil) sung by Mohammed Rafi. Desai had originally settled for the name "Anthony Fernandes" for Christian character to be played Amitabh Bachchan, though when he met lyricist Anand Bakshi, and the song "My name is Anthony Fernandes" was written, it didn't go well with music directors, Laxmikant-Pyarelal. That is when composer, Pyarelal recalling his violin teacher, composer Anthony Gonsalves, suggested an alternative Anthony Gonsalves, which was finalised.
Shahid Khan of Planet Bollywood gave 9 stars stating, "Overall, Amar Akbar Anthony is one of the finest examples of an album where the list of playback singers matches the star-power in the film".
The vinyl record was released on Polydor and was the first coloured LP: It was pink.
# Title Singer(s) Duration
1. "Shirdi Wale Saibaba"
("O Sai Baba of Shirdi") Mohammed Rafi 05:52
2. "My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves" Amitabh Bachchan, Kishore Kumar 05:32
3. "Hum Ko Tum Se Ho Gaya Hai Pyar"
("I Have Fallen In Love With You") Mohd. Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, Mukesh 06:03
4. "Taiyab Ali Pyar Ka Dushman"
("Taiyyab Ali, Enemy of Love") Mohammed Rafi 04:40
5. "Parda Hai Parda"
("There Is a Veil") Mohammed Rafi 06:12
6. "Amar Akbar Anthony"
("The Impossible Becomes Possible") Kishore Kumar, Mahendra Kapoor, Shailendra Singh 05:52
7. "Ye Sach Hai Koi Kahani Nahi"
("This Is True; It's No Story") (featured over the opening credits) Mohammed Rafi 02:22
Awards and nominations
Best Music Director: Laxmikant-Pyarelal
Best Editing: Kamlakar Karkhanis
Filmfare Nomination for Best Movie Award
Filmfare Nomination for Best Director: Manmohan Desai
Filmfare Nomination for Best Lyricist: Anand Bakshi for the song "Parda Hai Parda"
Filmfare Nomination for Best Male Playback Singer: Mohammed Rafi for the song "Parda Hai Parda"
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