Remembering Dev Anand

It's the first death anniversary of Bollywood's 'Evergreen Romantic Superstar'. He died on December 3, 2011 following a cardiac arrest in London at the age of 88. Here's a look at his cinematic journey.

The evergreen actor Dev Anand was born on September 26th, 1923, in Shakargarh Tehsil of Gurudaspur district (now in Narowal District, Pakistan) in undivided Punjab.

Dev Anand is the second of three brothers who were active in Hindi Cinema. His brothers are Chetan Anand and Vijay Anand. Their sister, Sheel Kanta Kapur, is the mother of renowned film director Shekhar Kapur.

Dev Anand is survived by his wife, former actress Kalpana Karthik, a son and a daughter.

Dev Anand made his debut as an actor in 1946 in "Hum Ek Hain". By the time his film "Ziddi" was released in 1947 he was already a superstar. Versatile Dev Anand gave countless hits like "Paying Guest","Baazi", "Jewel Thief", "CID", "Johny Mera Naam", "Amir Garib", "Warrant", "Hare Rama Hare Krishna" and "Des Pardes".

When his contemporaries like Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar stopped playing the leading men in movies, the versatile actor did not lose his innate romantic spirit and continued to woo his young heroines in movies like "Johnny Mera Naam", "Des Pardes", "Hare Rama Hare Krishna" among others.

Dev Anand began his career in the military censor office at Churchgate, Bombay, on a salary of Rs 200 and joined his older brother Chetan as a member of the Indian People's Theatre Association.

He graduated in English literature from the Government College, Lahore. After his graduation, Dev Anand left his hometown and came to Bombay, now Mumbai in the early 1940s.

Dev Anand films spoke of his modern sensibilities and desire to portray tomorrow's headlines today. The Bollywood legend always said that his films were expression of his world view and hence dealt with socially-relevant subjects.

Dev Anand's recent movies focused on the themes of present times like "Awwal Number", "Sau Crore", "Censor", "Mr Prime Minister" and the latest "Chargesheet" where he played the central character

While shooting for the film in Pune, Dev struck a friendship with another fellow legendary actor Guru Dutt.

It was a mutual understanding between them that when Dev Anand produced a film, Guru Dutt would direct it and when Guru Dutt directed a film, Dev Anand would act in it.

In the late 40s Dev Anand got a few offers to star opposite singer-actress Suraiya in woman-oriented films, as the male lead. Dev Anand considered himself lucky to get a chance to star opposite such an established actress and accepted the offers. While shooting for these films, he became romantically involved with Suraiya.

Dev and Suraiya were paired in seven films together - Vidya (1948), Jeet (1949), Shair (1949), Afsar (1950), Nili (1950) Do Sitare (1951) and Sanam (1951), which were all successful at the box office.

Even though after 'Awwal Number', his movies did not do well at the box office, the evergreen hero's mantra was always to think positive. "I never give myself a chance to get depressed. I think ahead," he would say.

Dev Anand established his film production company 'Navketan International Films' in 1949. He produced more than 35 movies.

Dev Anand won two Filmfare Awards - India's equivalent of the Oscars - in 1958 for his performance in the film "Kala Paani" (Black Water) and in 1966 for his performance in "Guide". "Guide" went on to win Filmfare Awards in five other categories including "Best Film" and "Best Director" and was sent as India's entry for the Oscars in the foreign film category that year.

In 1993, Dev Anand was honoured with Filmfare "Lifetime Achievement Award". Three years later he was awarded "Lifetime Achievement Award".

Dev Anand was honoured with the prestigious 'Padma Bhushan' in 2001 and 'Dada Saheb Phalke Award' in 2002, for his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.

Of late he was involved with an American film project "Song Of Life" - a musical love story which was to be shot in the United States. Dev Anand was to play the central character in the film which was to have a predominantly American star cast.

He co-produced the English Version of "Guide" with the Nobel Laureate Pearl S Buck ("The Good Earth").

The Hindi film industry paid tribute to the legendary actor.

Amitabh Bachchan tweets: "An era has come to an end .. Dev Anand leaves a void never perhaps to be filled again .. his never give up belief, his joy of life ! Had just met Dev Saheb at his premiere recently .. he was weak but full of spirit ..the newspapers confirming his passing away..He was such a positive person .. never associated death with him."

Shabana Azmi: "Dev Saheb robustly lived life on his own terms...he will be missed by millions but will live on thru his movies... I salute his spirit."

Anupam Kher tweets : "Just heard the sad news about Dev Saab. Somehow believed he will ALWAYS be there with us. My first hero...An Institution of optimism. RIP...Dev Saab was Kind, Passionate, Courageous, Forthright, Charming, Encouraging, Contemporary, Always a leader and a Great Human. Will Miss him...So as a Tribute to Dev Saab let's only humm his Songs today. Songs which became such an integral part of our lives. "Ahbi na jao chodkar..."

Shreya Ghoshal tweets: "Dev Anand Sa'ab is no more.. Rest in peace...Do you like 2011? We lost so many legends this year... Its true. This year we lost many greats... What legacy of great films n music! He indeed was a man of excellence and passion for cinema."

Goldie Behl tweets: "Rip dev anand ... spread love & a never give up attitude just went ahead and did whatever he wanted... My favorite actor!!!"

Dia Mirza: "Rest In Peace Dev Saab... Your chivalry, charm, optimism and your great body of work will never be forgotten."

Mahesh Bhatt tweets: "Dev Anand is dead. As the new dawn breaks over Mumbai, I salute the memory of this star who has left us with the glow of his smile."

Dev Anand with Naseerudin Shah at an award function.

Dev Anand with actress Mahima Choudhary in New Delhi.

Dev Anand was offered his first big break by Ashok Kumar for film "Ziddi".

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and actor Dev Anand at a function in Mumbai.

Dev Anand with actress Bipasha Basu in Mumbai.

Dev Anand and Amar Singh sharing a light moment.

A still from movie 'Hum Dono'.

Dev Anand with BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad in Mumbai.

Actress Rakhi spotted with Dev Anand at an award function in Mumbai.

Prem Dube, Dev Anand's driver for the last 22 years, said he had not able to stop his tears since morning. "I have been praying why God did not take me away instead of Dev Anand? He had given his entire life the industry and they needed him? He was himself a God," Dube said.

Dev Anand with former Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Union Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh says the Indian film industry has suffered a great loss in Dev Anand's sad and sudden demise.

Dev Anand with actress Rekha in Mumbai.

Uddhav Thackeray felicitates Dev Anand at a function in Mumbai.

Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn with Dev Anand at a function.

Telugu Desam chief Chandrababu Naidu with Dev Anand in Hyderabad.