Dev Anand
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The 1950s
When Dev Anand was mistaken for a taxi driver
Roshmila Bhattacharya,Mumbai Mirror | Nov 12, 2013, 12.00 AM IST
1952, 1953: lean years
Reeling under the financial burden of two flops— 'Aandhiyan' (1952) and 'Humsafar' (1953)-- Navketan's 'Taxi Driver' drove on to the streets of Mumbai on a shoestring budget. Scripted by the youngest Anand, Vijay, fondly called Goldie, who was still studying at the St. Xavier's College, and fine-tuned by Chetan Anand's wife Uma, the film starred Dev Anand and Kalpana Kartik.
Kalpana was a girl from an army background in Shimla, who was paired with Dev in Guru Dutt's 'Baazi' (1951) went on to make a hit jodi with him after the success of the crime thriller.
1954
The two signed up for Taxi Driver (1954). With Suraiya out of the picture, Dev fell in love with her and the two quietly got married on the sets during lunch break. However, they couldn't keep the wedding a secret for long because the cinematographer spotted a ring on Kalpana's finger, which hadn't been there an hour earlier. Enquiries revealed that her dashing groom had slipped it on. Two years later, Suneil was born. Kalpana quit acting after 'Nau Do Gyarah', went back to her original name Mona and over the years became a recluse.
Mohan Churiwala, Dev's close associate, remembers the song 'Jaayen to jaayen kahan' recorded separately by Lata Mangeshkar and Talat Mehmood. "Talat saab was an unusual choice for Dev saab, but Dada (SD Burman) insisted on recording the male version with him and the song won him the Filmfare Award for Best Playback (Male) while Burman was adjudged Best Music Director," said Churiwala.
Churiwala recalls how Dev was mistaken for a real cabbie when he had stopped outside Taj Mahal Hotel to pick up Sheila Ramani who plays to a club dancer Sylvie. "A foreigner jumped in and directed Dev saab to take him to the red light area. It took our hero a few minutes to convince him that they were shooting a film following which the apologetic guy got off," he narrates.
Mumbai (then Bombay), he points out, was mentioned in the credits, and the cab, a Buick, took viewers on a picturesque tour of the city. "At the film's premiere, members of the taxi drivers union who'd been invited, parked their cabs outside Minerva theatre before stepping in. It was a rare sight," Churiwala says, adding that in 1976 the film was remade by Chetan Anand as Jaaneman.
In Navketan's silver jubilee year Dev wanted all three brothers to make films under the banner. Chetan Anand made Jaaneman, Vijay Anand made Bullet, while Dev Anand started on Des Pardes which was released two years later.
Dev Anand and Calcutta
Dev Anand loved premieres in Kolkata
The Times of India TNN | Sep 26, 2013
By Ranjan Das Gupta
April 6, 1966. A crowd of about 1,000 enthusiastic fans were waiting outside a city five-star to greet their idol, Dev Anand.
The evergreen hero was in Kolkata, along with brother, director Vijay Anand and leading lady Waheeda Rehman, for the premiere of 'Guide'. As Dev saab came out to greet the crowd, a female fan threw an autograph book to him, which he caught. Much to her delight, he signed 'With Love, Dev Anand' and returned the book to her. He also made it a point to visit Paradise and Lotus cinemas where 'Guide 'was being screened to packed houses.
Kolkata was Dev saab's favourite city to premiere his films. Taxi Driver, Nau Do Gyarah, Hum Dono, Hare Rama Hare Krishna and Heera Panna — most of his films started their journeys from this city. He had fond memories of his first visit to Kolkata in 1951 for the premiere of Baazi. The actor, then young and shy, was overwhelmed to be introduced to Uday Shankar by his friend, director Guru Dutt.
In the '60s, whenever he visited Kolkata, he made it a point to meet actress Suchitra Sen with whom he had worked in Bambai Ka Babu and Sarhad. He was also fond of singer Sandhya Roy, who played his rakhi-sister in Asli Naqli. Their bond was so strong that Dev treated her as his own sister.
While shooting Teen Deviyan here in 1965, the actor is said to have taken help from ace director cinematographer Ajay Kar. "This is the capital of culture. It is the land of icons like Pramathesh Barua, Chabi Biswas, Uttam Kumar and Satyajit Ray and its audience has appreciated my films the most," Dev sahab always said. His last visit here was in May 2011 to launch a book.
Hare Rama Hare Krishna
The 1970s saw Bollywood's first hippies and drugs in Dev Anand's film Hare Rama Hare Krishna (Praise Rama Praise Krishna). The film also introduced an actress that would go on to become a Bollywood icon: Zeenat Aman.
Hare Rama Hare Krishna was the most successful movie of 1971. Filmed almost entirely in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, the movie explores not only the theme of a broken family, but also a relationship between a brother and a sister, as well as drugs and the hippie movement. Many people assumed the film had been made with the involvement of ISKON, the movement for Krishna consciousness. The movie begins with scenes of drug use and a dancing woman, who we are told is the narrator's sister. The film then flashes back to the brother and sister playing happily as children, only to hear their parents arguing. This soon leads to a split in the family. The brother goes with the mother and the sister with the father, who re-marries.
As time passes, the brother goes in search of his sister and is informed that she no longer lives with the father and that she has moved to Nepal. Here, the brother Prashant not only finds love, but he also finds his sister Jasbir, who calls herself Janice. But he finds out that she has fallen into some bad company and takes drugs to block all memory of her past. With help of Shanti, his love, the brother tries to get his sister away from all this but has to overcome many obstacles as people try to stop him. During filming, Dev Anand asked Panchamda (the composer RD Burman) to compose something special for this film. Panchamda came back with the composition 'Dum Maro Dum', which became an instant hit.
The movie was ahead of its time with its realistic portrayal of drugs and the hippy movement. The music and songs, especially 'Dum Maro Dum', sung by Asha Bhonsle (who has sung with Boy George) were very popular. The film also rocketed the career of Zeenat Aman, who played the ill-fated sister. She would soon become an icon for teenagers, even though the sister's role was initially offered to another actress, Zaheeda, who rejected in favour of a role as the girlfriend. The role was offered to Aman, who was the daughter of one of the writers of Mughal-E-Azam, Amanullah Khan.
Dev Anand: The eternal romantic hero of Bollywood
PTI | Dec 4, 2011, 09.46PM IST
MUMBAI: Dev Anand, the debonair hero, whose signature puff hair and swagger enchanted fans across generations, outlived many of his contemporaries with his infectious zeal for life and cinema.
The charismatic star lived by the philosophy of "Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata chala gaya, har fikar ko dhuen mein udata chala gaya," a song written for him by friend Sahir Ludhiyanwi in 1961 film "Hum Dono".
The 88-year-old versatile actor-filmmaker, who passed away in London last night, has left an indelible mark on his fans with his style of dialogue delivery, tilted hats and a penchant for nodding while speaking.
His latest project "Chargsheet" is ready to release. He was also planning a extention of his cult hit 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna'.
In his last interview to PTI in September on his 88th birthday this September, Dev Anand had said,"My life is the same and I am at a beautiful stage at 88. I am as excited as I was in my 20s."
There has always been a hint of romance and intrigue in Dev Anand's personal and professional life which made him a living legend.
Keeping up with his image of an evergreen star, the actor had said that he wanted to be reborn as Dev Anand.
In an interview to PTI last year, he said, "I am always in a rush because time is slipping away and I am chasing it, chasing it. I have so many stories to tell but where is the time. I wish I am born again as Dev Anand and people will see a young star 25 years later. That will give me some time to finish what I want to do."
His films spoke of his modern sensibilities and desire to portray tomorrow's headlines today. The Bollywood legend always said that his films were expression of his world view and hence dealt with socially-relevant subjects.
The Bollywood legend redefined and enriched cinema with everlasting classics like "Guide", "Taxi Driver" and "Hum Dono".
When his contemporaries like Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar stopped playing the leading men in movies, Dev Anand continued to woo young heroine in movies till 1983.
Even though after 'Awwal Number' (1990), his movies did not do well at the box office, the evergreen hero's mantra was always to think positive. "I never give myself a chance to get depressed. I think ahead."
His recent movies focused on the themes of present times like "Sau Crore", "Censor", "Mr Prime Minister" and the latest "Chargesheet" where he always played the central character.
In 2007, he released his memoirs " Romancing with Life" where he admitted he has never looked back in his life, always preferring to remain optimistic and confident about future.
Born Dharamdev Pishorimal Anand in Gurdaspur of undivided Punjab to a well-to-do advocate Pishorimal Anand on September 26, 1923, he graduated in English literature from the Government Law College in Lahore.
He was the second of three brothers born to Kishorimal Anand. Dev's younger sister is Sheela Kanta Kapur, who is mother of Shekhar Kapur. His brothers Chetan Anand and Vijay Anand were also into filmmaking.
Love for acting made Dev Anand leave his hometown and arrive in Mumbai (then Bombay), where he began working at the military censor office at Churchgate, reading letters written by soldiers to their families.
His first breakthrough "Hum Ek Hain" in 1946, with Pune's Prabhat studios, did little to boost his film career but he found a lifelong friend in fellow actor-director Guru Dutt. The duo made a pact: if Dev produced a film, Guru Dutt would direct and if Guru Dutt produced a film, Dev would act in it.
Dev Anand was offered his first big break by Ashok Kumar for Bombay Talkies "Ziddi" co-starring Kamini Kaushal in 1948 which became a success.
Always the one to think ahead, he decided to start producing after Zinddi's success by launching his own company Navketan in 1949. As promised, he signed his friend Guru Dutt to direct the crime thriller 'Baazi' (1951). This creative collaboration was a success.
In the 40s, Dev Anand got a few offers to star opposite singer-actress Suraiya, an established actress of that time.
While shooting these films, he became romantically involved with Suraiya. The two of them were paired in seven films together --"Vidya", "Jeet", "Shair", "Afsar", "Nili", "Do Sitare" and "Sanam" , all hits at the box office.
He finally proposed Suraiya on the set of "Jeet" but Suraiya's maternal grandmother opposed the relationship as they were Muslim and Dev Anand Hindu. Suraiya remained unmarried all her life. He married Kalpana Kartik after meetin her on the set of "Taxi Driver".
He broke new grounds, playing a smuggler in "Jaal", absconding gang member in "Dushman", blackmarketeer in "Kalabazaar" and a murderer in "Bombay Ka Babu".
Still, critics accused him of being more style than substance. But, Dev Anand proved his detractors wrong - first with a class act in "Kala Paani" (1958). Then came "Hum Dono" (1961) and he finally sealed all doubts with a nuanced performance in "Guide" (1966).
Honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2002, Dev Anand had also been politically active. He led a group of film personalities, who stood up against the 1975 Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
He actively campaigned against her with his supporters in 1977 Parliamentary elections. He also floated a political outfit, National Party of India, which he later disbanded.
Dev Anand, legendary Bollywood actor, dies in London
PTI | Dec 4, 2011, 07.57AM IST
LONDON: Dev Anand, the 'Evergreen Romantic Superstar' of Indian cinema, has passed away here last night following cardiac arrest. He was 88.
Dev Anand, who had come here for medical check up, was not keeping well for the last few days, family sources told PTI. His son Sunil was with him when he breathed last.
Dev Anand made his debut as an actor in 1946 in 'Hum Ek Hain'. By the time his 'Ziddi' was released in 1947 he was a superstar and has never looked back.
Versatile Dev Anand has given countless hits like 'Paying Guest', 'Baazi', 'Jewel Thief', 'CID', 'Johny Mera Naam', 'Amir Garib', 'Warrant', 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna' and 'Des Pardes'.
For his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema, Dev Anand was honoured with the prestigious the 'Padma Bhushan' in 2001 and 'Dada Saheb Phalke Award' in 2002.
He established his film production company 'Navketan International Films' in 1949 and has produced more than 35 movies.
Dev Anand has won two Filmfare Awards - India's equivalent of the Oscars - in 1958 for his performance in the film 'Kala Paani' (Black Water) and in 1966 for his performance in 'Guide'.
'Guide' went on to win Filmfare Awards in five other categories including 'Best Film' and 'Best Director' and was sent as India's entry for the Oscars in the foreign film category that year.
He co-produced the English version of 'Guide' with the Nobel Laureate Pearl S Buck ('The Good Earth').
In 1993, he received a Filmfare 'Lifetime Achievement Award' and in 1996 he received a Screen Videocon 'Lifetime Achievement Award'.
Of late he was involved in the direction of a new all American film Project 'Song Of Life' - a musical love story which was to be shot in the United States.
He was to play the central character in the film which was to have a predominantly American star cast.
Dev Anand is the second of three brothers who were active in Hindi Cinema. His brothers are Chetan Anand and Vijay Anand. Their sister, Sheel Kanta Kapur, is the mother of renowned film director Shekhar Kapur.
When Dev Anand almost declared his love for Zeenat Aman
PTI | Dec 4, 2011, 01.51PM IST
Basking in the glow of the success of Hare Rama Hare Krishna in 1971, Dev Anand, the ever-romantic hero, soon realised that he was in love with the film's leading lady and his discovery Zeenat Aman.
Describing his feelings for Zeenat, Dev Anand wrote in his autobiography, Romancing With Life that he enjoyed it when newspapers and magazines started linking them together romantically after the film's success.
He almost declared his love to her, but quietly withdrew when he saw her getting close to Raj Kapoor, who wanted to cast her in his film Satyam Shivam Sundaram.
"Whenever and wherever she was talked about glowingly, I loved it; and whenever and wherever I was discussed in the same vein she was jubilant. In the subconscious, we had become emotionally attached to each other," Dev Anand wrote in his 2007 book.
Some years later, Dev Anand admitted he felt jealous when Raj Kapoor kissed Zeenat in full view of the invited audience at the premiere of his next film Ishq Ishq Ishq.
He soon realised that he was in love with her and wanted to declare it to her at a romantic meeting at the Taj in Mumbai.
He wrote: "Suddenly, one day I felt I was desperately in love with Zeenat - and wanted to say so to her! To make an honest confession, at a very special, exclusive place meant for romance. I chose the Rendezvous at the Taj, on top of the city, where we had dined together once earlier."
Dev Anand wrote that he called up Zeenat and arranged to go to the meeting place after a brief presence at a party, where "a drunken Raj Kapoor .. threw his arms around her exuberantly. This suddenly struck me as a little too familiar. And the way she reciprocated his embrace seemed much more than just polite and courteous."
Suspecting something, Dev Anand recalled that a rumour had been floating that Zeenat had gone to Raj Kapoor's studio for a screen test for the main role in his new movie Satyam Shivam Sundaram.
"The hearsay now started ringing true. My heart was bleeding," he wrote.
The situation changed further for Dev Anand when Raj Kapoor, "in drunken joviality", told Zeenat: "You are breaking your promise that you will always be seen by me only in a white sari."
A dejected Dev Anand wrote: "More embarrassment was written large on her face, and Zeenat was not the same Zeenat for me any more. My heart broke into pieces... The rendezvous had already lost all meaning in my mind. I sneaked out of the place."
He added: "The evening delivered a blow to my personality, and my dominating spirit. I had decided on the spur of the moment to tell Zeenat for the first time how much I loved her. And that there was an idea in my mind of another story that would put her on a pedestal as never before, the highest so far. But that was never to be."
Dev Anand's brief fling with politics
IANS | Dec 4, 2011, 06.23PM IST
Dev Anand, who passed away at 88 in London early Sunday, was perhaps the first Bollywood star who formally tried his luck in politics. He had a short but not sweet stint, but certainly started a trend of celebs entering the corridors of power.
Way back in 1977, after the Emergency was imposed by then prime minister Indira Gandhi, Dev Anand decided to set things right and "teach the politicians a lesson". He plunged into politics by launching the National Party of India (NPI).
His opposition to Indira Gandhi, her late son Sanjay Gandhi and other top Congres leaders of the time arose mainly out of his disdain for Emergency, which he vociferously mentioned in public and private, his favourite line being: "Unko sabak sikhana hai", said a close family friend, who was also an office bearer of the NPI.
This was despite the fact that Dev Anand enjoyed good relations with top leaders, including the country's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and even Atal Behari Vajpayee, who also went on to become prime minister.
In his autobiography aptly titled "Romancing With Life", Dev Anand has devoted a significant portion to his short-lived political movement.
He recalled the slogan "Indira is India, India is Indira" and referred to Sanjay Gandhi as the "Pampered young Prince"- "......I knew I had become a marked man for the Sanjay coterie," he wrote.
About the 1975-1977 period of Emergency, Dev Anand wrote: "The pro-Emergency lobby enforced strict discipline amongst the masses and the rank and file of the government offices through certain legislative measures. It did a lot of good to the country. But, the fact was that the soul of the people was smouldering, their spirit stifled by an iron hand."
"They were dying to break the shackles, and the lava inside them was gathering momentum, soon to explode into a spluttering volcano. It just needed a single matchstick to light up. And the matchstick was provided by Indira Gandhi herself."
He got inspired from the initiative taken by late southern superstar M.G. Ramachandran, whose foray into politics did wonders for the people of Tamil Nadu.
"I accepted the challenge and was elected president of the party, the determined motto of which was to help elect only those people to the Lok Sabha who were the most qualified in respective fields, and therefore the most deserving," he wrote.
For the new-born NPI's inaugural rally at the historic Shiva ji Park here was comparable to political rallies by any other mainstream political party.
Besides Dev Anand, other Bollywood big names like F.C. Mehra and G.P. Sippy addressed the crowds which cheered enthusiastically - signalling that "Bollywood had finally arrived in politics," according to his close friend, who attended the rally, but declined to be identified.
However, for the evergreen star, the dust and grime of real life politics was difficult to stomach.
Though he quit politics, Dev Anand and his top colleagues were seen regularly in public, rushing to help the victims of floods, earthquakes, riots or other natural and man made calamities around the country.
After that, he was never considered close to any party, though he was invited by Vajpayee when he went on his famous Bus Yatra to Pakistan over a decade ago, in Feb 1999.
Dev Anand, born in undivided India and educated in Lahore, now in Pakistan, and some other celebs grabbed the opportunity to travel on the bus.
It is believed that political parties realised the crowd-pulling magnetism of actors only after the NPI and later almost every party made it a norm to include one or two celebs in its top rungs.
For instance, Indira Gandhi nominated the late Nargis Dutt to the Rajya Sabha, much later, her late husband and actor Sunil Dutt also became a Lok Sabha member from Mumbai and was a minister at the centre.
There were politicians like Shatrughan Sinha and Vinod Khanna in the Bharatiya Janata Party.
In fact, film stars are a 'must' on the list of speakers for most major political rallies.
