Anand began his film career by helping Rahul Rawail direct his film Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi, that starred Kajol. He then co-wrote the 2004 hit Hum Tum along with Kunal Kohli and also worked as an executive producer and associate director on the film.
When 27, Anand directed Salaam Namaste loosely based on Jeff Goldblum starrer Nine Months, starring Saif Ali Khan and Preity Zinta. The film was one of the biggest hits of 2005 and it helped him establish himself as a director in the Hindi film industry.