'He gave directors the status of a star'

A stunned film industry today mourned the death of noted filmmaker Vijay Anand. Anand made a deep impact in the Hindi film industry with films like Guide, Tere Mere Sapne and the action-packed Johnny Mera Naam.

Producer Gulshan Rai's son Rajiv said it was the success of Johnny Mera Naam which consolidated his father's (and producer of Johnny Mera Naam) position as a leading filmmaker. Vijay was a committed filmmaker and never compromised on principles, he added.

Filmmaker and television personality Ramanand Sagar said Anand was a respected filmmaker and his Guide remains a landmark film in the history of mainstream cinema.

Producer-director Anil Sharma said Anand was a dedicated filmmaker who gave a new dimension into filmmaking by giving a Hollywoodian sheen and gloss to movies with his action-packed Jewel Thief and Ram Balram.

Waheeda Rehman, who acted in Guide, said he was a fascinating filmmaker: "With his deft direction, he balanced the overall tempo of the film."

Bigwigs Yash Chopra, Subhash Ghai, Rajkumar Santoshi said, "With Vijay Anand's death, Bollywood had lost a committed filmmaker."

Director Mahesh Bhatt said, "Vijay Anand's death marks the passing away of a true, original mind. Vijay had charisma and cinematic dazzle. He was the first who gave Indian film directors the status of a star."