"Anand" is counted among the 17 consecutive box office successes of Rajesh Khanna between 1969 and 1971, adding the multistarrers "Maryada" (1971) and "Andaz" (1971). The film was a super hit and the third highest grossing Indian film of 1971. It has since gained a cult following and is hailed as one of the greatest films ever made. "Indiatimes" listed it among the "25 must watch films before you die". "Anand" is one of the only two films that Khanna and Bachchan have starred together in - the other being the 1973 film "Namak Haraam", which was also directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee.