Dev Anand Biography

Very famous for his unique style of dressing and dialogue delivery, Dev Anand is the name that influenced yesteryear cinema world and is still keeping the magic intact. Originally known as Dharam Dev Pishorimal Anand, he was born on 26 September, 1923 in Punjab. Dev Anand was an all-in-one package, as he was actor, director, writer and producer. Along with his elder brother Chetan Anand, the actor founded Navketan Films in the year 1949. Dev Anand was counted as one of the most influential and celebrated actors in Bollywood industry, who acted in more than 110 films. His fans and the film critics praised the actor as 'evergreen' due to his younger looks than his real age and his appeal. Dev Anand was married to Kalpana Karthik and the couple had two children; his son, Suniel Anand and the daughter Devina.

Pishorimal Anand, the father of Dev Anand was an affluent advocate. The filmmaker Shekhar Kapur's mother Sheela Kanta Kapur was the younger sister of Dev Anand. The actor completed his schooling from Sacred Heart School in Dalhousie. From Lahore-based Government College, he attained Bachelor's Degree in English Literature. In the early 1940's, Dev arrived in Mumbai. At a monthly salary of Rs. 165, he commenced his career in Churchgate-based Military Censor's office. Babu Rao Pai at Prabhat Film Studios gave the first break to the actor. The film 'Hum Ek Hain' based on Hindu Muslim unity by Prabhat Film Studios was the debut movie of Dev Anand in Hindi cinema. The smile, beautiful eyes and his confidence made him achieve big in Bollywood.

It was Ashok Kumar, who offered a big break to Dev in the film 'Ziddi' in 1948. Kamini Kaushal was his co-star in this movie. The film garnered immense success. The first duet of Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar 'Yeh Kaun Aya Karke Yeh Sola Singhar' was recorded in the film 'Ziddi'. Post this flick, Dev Anand planned to produce the films. The production house of the star produced around 35 movies. Prior to this, the actor appeared in the films like 'Vidya' (1948), 'Shair' (1949), 'Jeet' (1949), 'Nili' (1950), 'Sanam' (1951), 'Afsar' (1950) and 'Do Sitare' (1951).

The other films done by Dev Anand in the 1950's include 'Baazi' (1951), 'Nau Do Gyarah', 'Aandhian', 'House No. 44', 'Taxi Driver', Pocketmaar', 'C.I.D.', 'Funtoosh', 'Paying Guest', 'Munimji', 'Solva Saal', 'Kala Pani', 'Rahi', 'Kala Bazar', 'Bambai Ka Babu', etc.

In the 1960's, Dev Anand acted with many eminent actresses like Meena Kumari, Sadhana, Nutan, Tanuja, Helen, Nanda, Simi Garewal, Mala Sinha, Hema Malini, Asha Parekh, Anju Mahendru, Waheeda Rehman, Vyjayanthimala and Kalpana. The hit films of the actor in this phase are 'Tere Ghar Ke Samne', 'Asli-Naqli', 'Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai', 'Kinare Kinare', 'Teen Deviyan', 'Guide', 'Jhonny Mera Naam', 'Mahal', 'Jewel Thief' and many more. At the 6th Moscow International Film Festival in 1969, Dev Anand was the jury member.

Some more prominent flicks of this veteran star include 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna', 'Prem Pujari', 'Tere Mere Sapne', 'Gambler', 'Dharam Karam', 'Yeh Gulistan Hamara', 'Chhupa Rustom', 'Amir Garib', 'Heera Panna', 'Bullet', 'Warrant', 'Banarasi Babu', 'Darling Darling', etc. During 1970's, the co-stars of Dev Anand were Zeenat Aman, Yogeeta Bali, Raakhee, Tina Munim, Mumtaz and Parveen Babi.

In 1970's, the actor was politically active for some period. 'Des Pardesh' was one of his hit films along with 20-years old Tina Munim in 1978. This film bestowed the actor the tag of evergreen hero. In 1984, Dev Anand himself directed and produced a film titled 'Anand Aur Anand'. The music of the film was composed by great artist R. D. Burman. The other films in which the actor featured in are 'Awwal Number' (1990), 'Hum Naujawan' (1985), 'Lashkar' (1989), 'Kahin Aur Chal' (1968), etc. The film 'Sachche Ka Bol-Bala' was his directorial venture. Dev featured in guest appearance in the film 'Shrimanji' (1968).

During his lifetime, Dev Anand achieved innumerable awards. Some of them include National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi for 'Guide' in 1965, Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2002, Star Screen Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996, Padma Bhushan Award in 2001, Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1991, Sony Golden Glory Award in 2005, Film Goers' Mega movie Maestro of the Millennium Award in Mumbai in 2000, Phalke Ratna Award in 2010, NDTV Indian of the Year's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011, Lifetime Achievement Maestro Award by the Whistling Woods International Institute, Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema at the Max Stardust Awards in 2009, Sansui Lifetime Achievement Award for his 'Immense Contribution to Indian Cinema' in 1999 and many more.

Apart from this, the actor received many international awards during his lifetime, like Lifetime Achievement Award by F. I. F. A. Committee in South Africa, 'Star of the Millennium' Award by Indo-American Association in California in 2000, Award for his Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema by First Lady of the United States of America, Hillary Clinton in 2000, etc.

Dev Anand breathed his last in his hotel's room in London on 3rd December, 2011 (4th December, 2011 by Indian time). He died of a cardiac arrest. His film 'Chargesheet' was released after his death. The actor went for a medical check up to London when his death happened.