# Ananda Ashram

Ananda Ashram (Hindi: Anand Ashram, English: The Ashram of joy) is a 1977 Indian bilingual romantic drama film made in Bengali and Hindi language simultaneously, co-written and directed by Shakti Samanta. Based on a story by film director and novelist, Sailajananda Mukhopadhyay, it stars Ashok Kumar, Uttam Kumar, Sharmila Tagore, Moushumi Chatterjee and Rakesh Roshan (making his debut in Bengali cinema) in lead roles. The same story was earlier filmed as 'Doctor' in 1940 starred by Pankaj Mullick, Ahindra Choudhury and Bharati Devi.

## Plot

Dr. Amaresh lives with his wealthy father, a Thakur, in a small town in India. While the Thakur would like to get Amaresh to marry a woman from an equally wealthy family, he has fallen in love with a poor woman named Asha, and would like to marry her. The Thakur is displeased, and asks Amaresh to leave his house, never to return. A few months later, Thakur's employee, Girdhari, informs him that he has found an abandoned child by the river bank, and would like to adopt him. Initially, the Thakur does not want anything to do with the child, but when he sees it for the first time, he decides to let Girdhari have his way. Years later, young Samaresh has grown up under Girdhari and Thakur's care, and travels abroad to study in order to be a doctor. When he returns, he decides to work with a chemical company. His travels take him to meet a beautiful woman named Sumita, her father, and an elderly man named Doctor. Samaresh is perturbed by this doctor, who seems to know him very well, and wants him to leave his job at the chemical company, and start practicing medicine in the small town where they live. What Samaresh does not know that this doctor is none other than his biological father, Amaresh. What both don't know is what steps the Thakur will take when he finds out that Samaresh is none other than his grandson.

## Cast

* Uttam Kumar as Dr. Amaresh Rai Chaudhary
* Sharmila Tagore as Asha Rai Chaudhary
* Rakesh Roshan as Dr. Samaresh Rai Chaudhary
* Moushumi Chatterjee as Sumita Dutta
* Ashok Kumar as Zamindaar/Pratap Narain Rai Chaudhary
* Asit Sen as Girdhari
* Utpal Dutt as Rasharaj Dutta, Sumita's dad
* Anita Guha as Sumita's mom
* Chandrima Bhaduri
* Prema Narayan (Guest appearance)
* Alankar Joshi as Chandan Dutta, Sumit's younger brother (as Master Alankar)

## Production

After the success of Amanush in 1975 Shakti Samanta cast almost same actors including Ashok Kumar. The film marked the collaboration for the first and only time where two legendary actor of Hindi and Bengali cinema Uttam Kumar and Ashok Kumar worked together. It's making again in double version.
This film also shot in Sandeshkhali Sundarban like Amanush and the Nataraj Studio Bombay. There was a scene in Anand Ashram where Uttam Kumar would come down from a high hill, speak a dialogue with the heroine. So then Uttam Kumar already had two heart attacks. Uttam Kumar rose to a high place at that age with great difficulty. Then the director Shakti Samant understood the mistake and apologized. He says to changing the set. But Uttam Kumar said nothing. The with that body, he ran down the two-storey hill again and did it ok in one shot. Director Prabhat Roy (also the assistant director in the film) remembered the dedication of Uttam Kumar which is bring him to the top and different to the other artists.
During the film production Mohunbagan Footballers in Mumbai at that time to play the Rovers Cup Final of 1977. On the evening, footballers turned upon the set to watching the shooting. Uttam Kumar always being a Mohunbagan fan. Uttam Kumar said to the footballers You should have to win the final and return to Kolkata with the trophy. Mohunbagan really become champions and kept good words of Uttam.

## Music

The film had music by Shyamal Mitra, with lyrics by Indeevar
| Song | Singer (s) | Duration |
| "Tum Itni Sundar Ho" | Yesudas, Preeti Sagar | 3:55 |
| "Sara Pyar Tumhara" | Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar | 3:58 |
| "Tere Liye Maine Sabko Chhoda" | Kishore Kumar | 4:01 |
| "Raahi Naye Naye Rasta Naya Naya" | Kishore Kumar | 3:40 |
| "Safal Wohi Jeevan Hai" | Shyamal Mitra | 3:38 |
| "Jab Chaho Chali Aaoongi" | Lata Mangeshkar | 3:49 |

### Bengali Songs

* Prithibi Bodle Geche - Kishore Kumar
* Asha Chilo Valobasha Chilo - Kishore Kumar
* Tinti Montro Niye - Shyamal Mitra
* Valobeshe Dekei Dekhona - Asha Bhonsle
* Amar Shopno Tumi Ogo - Asha Bhonsle, Kishore Kumar
* Kotha Kichu Kichu Bujhe Nite Hoy - Aarti Mukherji, Shyamal Mitra

## Reception

In the article of 2015 The Hindu wrote It is Uttam Kumar’s commanding performance that leaves an impression on the viewer, especially the latter stage of his character when he carries himself with distinction. At no point does he indulge in histrionics. The director in fact does not allow anyone to drift from the balanced narration.
The songs of the film become blast hits and again the reunite of Uttam and Kishore Kumar and there combination is huge popular in 1970s after the significant success of Amanush. The songs become evergreen and got the cult status.
Hindi and the Bengali version both released in the same date while Bengali version make it's released on the occasions of Durga Puja in Bengal. Unfortunately the Hindi version didn't well at the box office but Bengali version become all-time blockbuster as expected and Kumar puja track record. The film saw the run 26 weeks constantly in theaters and become highest grossing Bengali film in 1977. This film become one of Kumar's most successful film ever.