By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
‘ओ मेरे हमराही, मेरी बाँह थामे चलना,
बदले दुनिया सारी, तुम न बदलना
प्यार हमे भी सिखला देगा, गरदिश में सम्भलना,
कहीं बीतें न …
कहीं बीतें न ये रातें, कहीं बीतें न ये दिन
गाता रहे मेरा दिल.’
On His 99th Birth Anniversary
Born Dharamdev Pishorimal Anand, better known as Dev Anand was an actor, producer, director & also co-founder Navketan Films. “Hum Ek Hain” (1946), a film about Hindu-Muslim unity, could well be said his debut film opposite Kamala Kotnis: he played a Hindu boy. It was here that he became friendly with Guru Dutt & rest is the history how the two helped each other.
Dev Anand liked & loved singer-actress Suraiya and they wanted to tie the nuptial knot but the latter’s maternal grandmother disapproved of their relationship as she was a Muslim & he a Hindu. This ended their love affair and later Dev Anand married Kalpana Kartik. Said to be the ‘heart throb’ of millions of girls, especially when he adorned black. Dev Anand rose to prominence with Bombay Talkies’ “Ziddi” ( 1948 ) opposite Kamini Kaushal. He & Kishore became close friends during the making of the film.
Dev Anand now set up his own production house and produced “Baazi” ( 1951) to be directed by his friend Guru Dutt, starring Geeta Bali and Kalpana Kartik. There was no looking back for both the friends after the success of the film. Dev Anand later did “Taxi Driver” ( 1954) “C.I.D.” (1956) “Paying Guest” ( 1957), “Kala Paani” ( 1958),”Kala Bazar”( 1960), & “Baat Ek Raat Ki” (1962). The success of Madhubala Starrer ” Kala Paani” won him his first Filmfare Award for Best Actor.
After Suraiya and Kalpana he developed good emotional rapport with Nutan & Waheeda Rehman. Nasir Hussain’s ” Jab Pyaar Kisi Se Hota Hai” opposite Asha Parekh was one of his finest musical extravaganza with hit numbers like ” Jiya O Jiya Re Jiya” ( Rafi),”Yeh Aankhen Uff Yun Ma” ( Rafi) & “Sau Saal Pehle Mujhe Tumse Pyaar Tha” (Rafi-Lata) to mention few. “Hum Dono ” with “Abhi na jaao chhod kar ke dil abhi bharaa nahi” starring Sadhna-Dev & “Asli Naqli” ( 1962) with “Tujhe Jeewan Ki Dor Se Baandh Liya Hai” ( Lata-Rafi) & “Tera Mera Pyaar Amar Phir Kyon” ( Lata)under the music score of SJK were masterpieces. His ” Guide” proved to be a mile stone in his life opposite Waheeda Rehman with many hits.
Dev Anand later worked in a suspense drama ” Jewel Thief” ( 1967) & ” Johny Mera Naam”(1970), another super-hit starring Hema Malini with a hit number ” Samajh Gaya Mein Tera Bahana,Wada To Nibhaya”. “Hare Rama Hare Krishna”, “Tere Mere Sapne”, “Banarsi Babu” & “Amir Garib” are some other worth mentioning films.
Dev Anand’s autobiography gave an insight into his nature ,life style and his passion. He spoke uninhibitedly giving even the minutest detail of his extra marital flings. He lived a care-free life & remained as agile as he was when 25.
Dev Anand won National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi for ‘Guide’. He won two Filmfare Awards for Best Actor. An ever green actor, as he was rightly called, Dev was also recipient of Dadasaheb Phalke Award conferred upon him in 2002.
I have the honor of meeting this matinee idol on the sets of “Return of Jewel Thief” in 1995 at Natraj Studios ,Andheri and discussed about his passion for films, likings and dislikings at length. Shekhar Kapoor of “Bandit Queen” fame is his nephew .Chetan Anand of “Haqeeqat” & “Her Ranjha” fame was his elder brother. His younger brother is considered one among the most successful directors with hits like- “Guide” (1965), “Teesri Manzil” (1966), “Jewel Thief” (1967) and “Johny Mera Naam” (1970). He also worked in few films including “Kora Kagaz” & “Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki”.
