The film recently completed 43 years in the industry
Amar Akbar Anthony - Comic Book CoverShemaroo
To engage and entertain Bollywood fanatics, Shemaroo Entertainment launched some of the iconic cult movies of Bollywood as aesthetic illustrations that brings the characters to life through printed comics. One of them being "Amar Akbar Anthony"
A 1977 film, directed by Manmohan Desai, one of Bollywood's legendary directors who with 'Amar Akbar Anthony' had 3 other films running in the theater simultaneously;
'Dharam Veer', 'Chaachaa Bhateja', and 'Parvarish'.
Amar Akbar Anthony - Comic Page 31 (2020)Shemaroo
The film had an enduring impact on society, its culture along with the notable and popular songs, witty dialogues, and the distinct character of Anthony Gonsalves played by Amitabh Bachchan.
Anthony Gonsalves
The reel life character of Anthony (played by Amitabh Bachchan) was inspired from the life of Laxmikant Pyarelal (music director of the film). The real Anthony Gonsalves was his music teacher. Interestingly, R.D. Burman was also one of his other students.
Amar Akbar Anthony - Comic Page 44Shemaroo
My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves
Sung by Kishore Kumar, this song was a tribute to the real music genius of that name from Goa.
Bachchan emerged from an Easter egg, this song is loved even today.
Lyrics
Wordings of this song were beautifully penned by Anand Bakshi, except the lines seen in the comic. These words are quotations from a speech given by Benjamin Disraeli in 1878.
Amar Akbar Anthony - Comic Page 47Shemaroo
The Iconic Mirror Scene
The stand - out scene of the film, where Anthony (Amitabh Bachchan) is beaten up and talks to himself was taken in one shot.
Not just that it was taken in one shot but also shot without the presence of the Director Manmohan Desai, who was busy directing the film Parvarish, at the same time.
"Amar Akbar Anthony" was the highest-grossing Indian film along with "Dharam Veer" in the year 1977.
The film ran for 25 weeks in 25 theaters in one city alone!
Amar Akbar Anthony - Comic Page 87 (2020)Shemaroo
Amar Akbar Anthony
The film is about the three characters Amar, Akbar and Anthony, brothers who were separated at a young age and adopted by families of different religions.
The plot revolves around how these three brothers lead their individual life but in the end fate brings them together to take revenge on behalf of their long lost father.
This film obtained so much popularity that it was re-made in three different languages. Tamil (1978), Telegu (1980), and Malyalam (1982).
Amar Akbar Anthony - Comic Page 89 (2020)Shemaroo
Amar Akbar Anthony
Title song of the film is still one of Bollywood's most desired songs.
A happy ending to the film where the three brothers unite with each other and their love and also attain revenge for their father.
One of Bollywood's first films to start Film Merchandising, with posters, postcards and even song booklets of the film were available at shops. Stationery products with photographs of Amitabh Bachchan, Vinod Khanna, and Rishi Kapoor were a craze among school students. There was also a trend where men wore colorful vests and a cross around their necks to look like Amitabh's character, Anthony Gonsalves.
