Dev Anand the Indian film actor, director and producer

Dharamdev Pishorimal Anand popularly known as Dev Anand the Indian film actor, director and producer

Dev Anand was born at Gurdaspur in undivided Punjab to Pishorimal Anand (Advocate). After graduation, he left home and landed at Mumbai to fulfil his passion of acting in films. Devanand did job in the military censor office at Churchgate, Mumbai, for a salary of Rs. 160. Dev Anand was offered his first big break by his favorite actor Ashok Kumar in the film “Ziddi” opposite Kamini Kaushal. The film was successful and afterthat Dev Anand launched his own production company ‘Navketan’. First film produced by him was crime thriller “Baazi”, which was directed by his friend Guru Dutt. Lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi’s song, ‘Tadbeer se bigdi huyee taqdeer bana de’, in the film proved prophetic and Dev Anand became a true star. His films “Rahee”, “Aandhiyan” and “Taxi Driver” were super hit at box office.

A rapid-fire style of dialogue delivery, an array of hats and a penchant for nodding while speaking became Dev Anand’s style in the films like “Munimji”, “CID” and “Paying Guest”. His style was lapped up by the audience and was widely imitated. His class act in the film “Kala Paani” won him Filmfare Best Actor Award. Devanand’s first colour film “Guide”, which was directed by his elder brother Vijay Anand, is regarded as his best work till date. He also tried his hand at film direction with the film “Hare Ram Hare Krishna” in which he introduced Zeenat Aman. The film was based on hippie culture.

It is meaningless to talk about Indian cinema without mentioning the ‘golden age’ of Hindi cinema and the golden period of Hindi cinema is incomplete without Dev Anand. Considered the most handsome actor of his time, Dev Anand was instructed never to wear a black suit in public because women would go crazy seeing him dressed in black and would jump from buildings. That’s why the handsome actor was called ‘lady killer’.

Dev Anand completed his graduation in English literature in Lahore and got a job of a clerk there. Famous actor Ashok Kumar encouraged and helped Dev Anand to join the film industry and thus his journey as an actor started with the film ‘Zidddi’. Rest is, as they say, history. Dev Anand not only gave one hit after another, he also established an image of a liberal, romantic hero who despite being a gentle and mild person, stands up and fights against social evils. He also started a production house with the name of Navketan Films which produced many quality and meaningful films.

The love story of Dev Anand and one of the most beautiful and popular heroines of the time, Suraiya still attracts the attention of movie buffs and fans alike. But unfortunately, religion came in the way of this love story of a charming, educated and liberal Dev Anand. Suraiya was so deeply heart broken that she did not marry at all.

Dev Anand too swore that he will never marry but finally succumbed to the charms of Kalpana Kartik, his heroine in four consecutive hits (Baazi, Aandhiyan, House No 44 and Nau Do Gyarah). During the lunch break of their fifth film together (Taxi Driver), they both got married.

Dev Anand is one of those few Indian actors/filmmakers who are politically aware and active and are ready to stand up for the cause that is dear to them. He led a group of film personalities who stood up against the Internal Emergency imposed by the then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. Most of his films are an expression of his world view and have dealt with socially relevant subjects

Dev Anand’s filmography
Mr Prime Minister, Aman Ke Farishtey, Love at Times Square, Censor Main Solah Baras Ki, Return of Jewel Thief, Gangster, Sau Crore, Awwal Number, Kishen Kanhaiya, Lashkar, Sachche Ka Bol Bala, Hum Naujawan, Anand Aur Anand, Swami Dada, Man Pasand, Lootmaar, Des Pardes, Darling Darling, Chhupa Rustam, Heera Panna, Joshila, Shareef Budmaash, Yeh Gulistan Hamara, Gambler, Hare Raama Hare Krishna, Tere Mere Sapne, Johny Mera Naam, Prem Pujari, Mahal, Duniya, Jewel Thief, Pyar Mohabbat, Guide, Teen Devian, Sharabi, Hum Dono, Solva Saal, C.I.D., Funtoosh, Taxi Driver, Rahi, Aandhiyan, Baazi, Do Sitare, Madhubala , Ziddi, Aage Badho, Mohan and Hum Ek Hain.

Trivia

• Dev Anand is married to his co star Kamini Kartik.
• In September 2007, Dev’s autobiography “Romancing with Life” was released by the Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.
• Dev Anand was honoured with the Living Legend Award by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in recognition of his contribution to the Indian entertainment industry.
• The President of India honoured him with the prestigious Padma Bhushan Award (India’s third highest civilian award).
• He was romantically involved with singer-actress Suraiya.

Date of Birth: 26th September, 1923.
Nickname: Devdutt
Education: Graduate (English Literature)
Debut Film: “Hum Ek Hain”
Film Awards: Filmfare Best Actor Award for “Kala Paani”
Filmfare Best Actor Award for “Guide”
Filmfare Life Time Achievement Award