Remembering Dev Anand, a legendary actor, director, and producer who was known for his impeccable style and sophistication and remembered for his iconic films like Baazi, Taxi DFriver, CID, Kala Pani, Kala Bazar, Hum Dono, Guide, Jewel Thief, Johnny Mera Naam, and many more.
Early Life
Born Dharamdev Pishorimal Anand on 26 September 1923, in Gurdaspur district in Punjab, he attended Government College University in Lahore. His brothers Chetan Anand and Vijay Anand also were part of the film industry.
In 1946, Anand debuted with a lead role in Prabhat Films’s “Hum Ek Hain,” opposite Kamla Kotnis, a film about Hindu-Muslim unity. Some of his other early films include Aage Badho (1947), Mohan (1947), and Hum Bhi Insaan Hain (1948). In 1948, he starred in Vidya (1948), which was his first film with Suraiya. He had his first hit in Shahid Latif’s Ziddi (1948) opposite Kamini Kaushal. some of his subsequent films were Jeet (1949), Namoona (1949), Shair (1949), Uddhar (1949), Dilruba (1950), Hindustan Hamara (1950), Madhubala (1950), and Aaram (1951).
Dev Anand – The Charming Prince
The inception of Navketan Films coincided with a time when Indian cinema was undergoing a transformation, and the Anand brothers were at the forefront of this change. Their first production, “Afsar (1950),” directed by Chetan Anand, set the tone for the company’s commitment to quality and innovation.
The early years saw a series of successful films like ‘Baazi’ (1951), directed by Guru Dutt, and ‘Taxi Driver’ (1954), directed by Chetan Anand, which not only established the production house but also helped define the noir genre in Indian cinema.
Some of the other films produced under Naketan were Humsafar (1953), House No. 44 (1955), Funtoosh (1956), and Kala Pani (1958), Kala Bazar (1960), and Hum Dono (1961).”
The Superstar Dev Anand
In the early 60s, Dev Anand’s younger brother Vijay Anand gets involved with Navketan Films and takes the banner to even greater lengths. In 1960, Dev starred in Vijay Anand’s directed Kala Bazar, opposite Waheeda Rehman. He then acted in Hum Dono (1961), written by Vijay Anand, followed by Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963).
One of his most significant achievements was “Guide (1965),” starring himself and Waheeda Rahman, which was based on the novel Guide by RK Narayan. It was not only a commercial success but also received critical acclaim and was India’s entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 38th Academy Awards. The film’s success at the box office and its artistic merit underscored Navketan Films’ status as a production house that did not shy away from taking risks and pushing boundaries. Vijay then directed some of Dev’s most successful films like Jewel Thief (1967), Johny Mera Naam (1970), and Tere Mere Sapne (1971).
Some of his other significant films include Jaal (1952), Patita (1953), Munimji (1955), Insaniyat (1955), C.I.D. (1956), Pocket Maar (1956), Paying Guest (1957), Manzil (1960), Bombai Ka Babu (1960), Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai (1961), Baat Ek Raat Ki (1962), Asli-Naqli (1962), Kinare Kinare (1962), Teen Devian (1965), Pyar Mohabbat (1966), Gambler (1971), Banarasi Babu (1973), Chhupa Rustam (1973), Joshila (1973), Amir Garib (1974), Warrant (1975), Bullet (1976), Man Pasand (1980), and Lashkar (1989).
Dev Turned To Direction
In 1970, he turned director with the ambitious “Prem Pujari,” a film whose story travelled across continents. The film starring Waheeda Rahman with himself went on to become a success. He then came up with “Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971),” where he launched Zeenat Aman. He continue to make films like Heera Panna (1973), Ishk Ishk Ishk (1975), Des Pardes (1978), Lootmaar (1980), Swami Dada (1982), Hum Naujawan (1985), and Sachché Ká Bol-Bálá (1989).
In 1984, he launched his son Suniel Anand in “Anand aur Anand,” which was a big flop. Dev again tried to revive his son’s career with “Main Tere Liye (1988),” which also bombed at box office.
Dev Anand gave many superhits like Prem Purjari and Hare Rama Hare Krishna. But he was never a great film director; even his successful films very messy had very haphazard narratives. In later years, his film’s quality deteriorated further and he never came up with half-decent films. His acting too never evolved and he became a caricature of himself.
Later Career and Legacy
Some of his last films were 1990 Awwal Number (1990), Sau Crore (1991), Pyaar Ka Tarana (1993), Gangster (1996), Return of Jewel Thief (1996), Main Solah Baras Ki (1998), Censor (2001), Love at Times Square (2003), and Mr. Prime Minister (2005). The 2011 film Chargesheet was Anand’s final film.
Anand, was one of the greatest and most successful actors in the history of Indian cinema. He recieved four Filmfare Awards, including two for Best Actor. The Government of India honoured him with Padma Bhushan, the Indian third highest civilian honour, in 2001. He also gets the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2002.
Dev Anand married to actress Kalpana Kartik in mid 1950s. The couple had two children, son Suneil Anand and daughter Devina Anand.
Dev Sahab, who ruled the silver screen for more than six decades, left this world at the age of 88. He died on 3 December 201, due to cardiac arrest.
Anand’s autobiography, ‘Romancing with Life’, provides a detailed account of his life. It also include his personal experiences, his rise to stardom. Dev aslo wrote about his relationships with other icons of Indian cinema like Guru Dutt, Dilip Kumar, and Raj Kapoor.
Throughout his life, Dev Anand maintained a reputation for his professionalism. Dev Anand was also known for his zest for life, and his evergreen personality. His style and mannerisms were unique, often imitated but never duplicated. He was a man who lived for cinema and brought joy to millions through his work.
Dev Anand on IMDB
