Eternal charmer of Indian cinema

Time Capsule: Dev Anand (1923-2011)

Chandani Chandel

Updated At : 09:30 AM Sep 26, 2024 IST

Dev Anand (1923-2011)

In the over 100-year-old potpourri of Hindi cinema, few names shine as bright as phenomenal actor Dev Anand. Known for his charisma, infectious smile, flopping arms and the quintessential nod, he was an actor who braved the vicissitudes of life, personal as well as professional — whether it was losing his mother at a young age, his decision to come to Mumbai, his broken relationship with superstar Suraiya, his secret marriage to actor Mona Singha, or camaraderie with co-actor Zeenat Aman.

Born Dharamdev Pishorilal Anand on September 26, 1923, at Shakargarh (now in Pakistan), he grew up in Gurdaspur. Under the care of a gentle mother and a strict father, the first setback was his mother’s death. “I cried and cried and cried…,’ he said in a rare interview with Simmi Garewal on her show Rendezvous.

What helped him sail through was “not clinging to sorrow”. In the habit of writing a diary since his early days, after his failed relationship with Suraiya, he wrote, “I fell in love with her… I could not marry her… I sobbed, I cried, I forgot.” In a later interview, Suraiya revealed that she her family had threatened to have Dev Anand killed. She did not marry him, such was her love.

Dev Anand studied at Government College, Dharamsala, and completed his BA degree in English literature from Government College, Lahore. In 1943, he reached Mumbai, and got his first break in 1946 with ‘Hum Ek Hain’, but it was ‘Baazi’ that marked the beginning of his stardom in 1949. He later went on to launch his own production house, Navketan Films, along with his brother Chetan.

Over the decades, he carved a niche for himself with his looks and a range of jackets, scarves, mufflers and caps. He developed his unique acting style, planned his own clothes and developed his unique mannerism. His performances in classics like Guide, Jewel Thief and Hare Rama Hare Krishna showcased not only his acting prowess, but also his ability to connect with the audience at a deep emotional level.

Anand won four Filmfare awards, including two awards for best actor. He was also conferred with the Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest civilian honour in 2001, and a year later, with Dadasaheb Phalke Award.

Very less is known about his wife Mona Singha — a Shimla-bred girl and a devout Christian. She had just won the Miss Shimla contest when Chetan Anand noticed her and convinced her family, who were relatives of his wife, to allow her to join Navketan Films as a leading lady. Mona Singha was rechristened Kalpana Kartik by Chetan and her first film Baazi, with Dev Anand, became a huge success. They got married during a shoot break after a courtship of three-four years. His daughter Devina’s broken marriage was again a huge setback for Dev Anand, which made him cry, and then move on.

He ventured into directing and producing films, bringing to life stories that resonated with the spirit of the times. He produced 35 films, of which 18 were successful at the box office. He also wrote the script for 13 of his films.

Dev Anand’s impact extends beyond the silver screen. He was a humanitarian, involved in various charitable activities, and his commitment to the welfare of society exemplified his larger-than-life persona. His love for life, art, and people created an indelible mark that continues to inspire. The song ‘Main zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya…’ from the film Hum Dono reverberated in his life.

What truly set Dev Anand apart was his remarkable ability to remain relevant throughout his career. He did not believe in destiny, but in the strength of the inner self. He once famously said, ‘I will not stop until my last breath.’ And he lived by these words.

His last film Chargesheet was released two months before he died aged 88 of cardiac arrest in London, with a register in his hand, working on his next project.