On September 23 and 24, 2023, a two-day film festival was held in 30 cities across India to celebrate the birth centenary of the legendary actor and filmmaker Dev Anand. The festival, titled 'Dev Anand
100 - Forever Young,' brought the superstar's iconic films back to the big screen, giving moviegoers a chance to relive the magic of his cinema.The four films selected for the festival were 'C.I.D.' (1956), 'Jewel Thief' (1967), 'Guide' (1965), and 'Johny Mera Naam' (1970). These films were carefully curated by the Film Heritage Foundation (FHF) in collaboration with the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) and the National Film Archive of India (NFAI).
The festival was a huge success, with most shows selling out. Moviegoers across the country were thrilled to have the opportunity to watch Dev Anand's classics on the big screen once again. The screenings were also attended by several Bollywood celebrities, including Waheeda Rehman and Jackie Shroff.
In an interview, Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, the founder of the FHF, spoke about the motivation behind the festival: "We wanted to celebrate Dev Anand's birth centenary in a way that would have made him proud. He was a true pioneer of Indian cinema, and his films are still enjoyed by audiences of all ages. We hope that this festival will help to reintroduce his work to a new generation and rekindle nostalgia for those who love his films."
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The 'Dev Anand 100 - Forever Young' film festival was a fitting tribute to one of the greatest actors and filmmakers in Indian cinema. It was a celebration of his legacy and his enduring appeal. Dev Anand may be gone, but his films will continue to live on in the hearts of his fans forever.