Legendary actor Dev Anand, the ‘evergreen romantic superstar’ of Indian cinema, died in London on Saturday night following a cardiac arrest. He was 88.

Dev Anand, was in London for medical check up, was not keeping well for the last few days, family sources said. His son Sunil was with him when he breathed last.

Amitabh Bachchan on Sunday morning tweeted, “Just reading news about Dev Saheb.. praying it is not true… He was such a positive person.. never associated death with him..”

Dev Anand made his debut as an actor in 1946 in ‘Hum Ek Hain’. By the time his ‘Ziddi’ was released in 1947 he was a superstar and has never looked back.

Versatile Dev Anand has given countless hits like ‘Paying Guest’, ‘Baazi’, ‘Jewel Thief ‘, ‘CID’, ‘Johny Mera Naam’, ‘Amir Garib’, ‘Warrant’, ‘Hare Rama Hare Krishna’ and ‘Des
Pardes’.

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

He established his film production company ‘Navketan International Films’ in 1949 and has 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.

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

In 1993, he received a Filmfare ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ and in 1996 he received a Screen Videocon ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’.

Of late he was involved in the direction of a new all American film Project ‘Song Of Life’ – a musical love story which was to be shot in the United States.

He was to play the central character in the film which was to have a predominantly American star cast.

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.

In what can be considered a record of sorts, yesteryear actor Dev Anand’s biography is selling like hot cakes, with 30,000 copies already sold. His autobiography, Romancing With Life, has beaten the sales of Shah Rukh Khan’s biography Still Reading Khan written by Mushtaq Khan which has found 20,000 buyers so far. South superstar Rajinikanth’s popularity too just saw 10,000 copies of his biography being picked up the shelves, even as a second edition is in the pipeline.

Dev Anand is amongst the most distinguished actors of the Indian film industry. At the time when his stardom was at its pinnacle, Dev Anand was considered the most suave among his contemporaries. Born on 26 September 1923 at Gurdaspur in undivided Punjab, Dev Anand who was originally called Dharam Dev Anand, is the second of three brothers. Elder brother, Chetan Anand was a film director and so was his younger one, Vijay Anand. Dev Anand was also a film producer.

Think Dev Anand and it conjures up memories of the romance, youth, flamboyance, style and class of a bygone era. The evergreen romantic superstar of Bollywood who entertained us with movies like ‘Guide’, ‘Kala Pani’, ‘Jewel Thief’, and ‘Hare Rama Hare Krishna’ never failed to cast his magic spell on the enthralled spectators. He released his memoir titled Romancing with Life to commemorate his 84th birthday.

Romancing with Life oozes the essence of Dev: flamboyance, drama and panache in his inimitable style. In his memoir, Dev takes you through the journey of his life in classic filmi style, starting from his early days of struggle in Bollywood, to his relationship with his siblings, his crazy fans, his association with directors, actors and of course his heroines.

Evergreen, debonair, urbane and classy are words which have described Devdutta Pishorimal Anand or simply Dev Anand aptly during parts of his six-decade film career and often throughout.
Be it at the beginning of his career, the zenith or what some would call, though the man himself vehemently denies, the fag end, the octogenarian Bollywood legend has staunchly refused to look back.
But that was till now.This self-styled torchbearer of the future has now decided to chronicle his life and times and to a large extent that of Bollywood in an autobiography, however, without pausing for a breath.

Romancing with Life oozes the essence of Dev: flamboyance, drama and panache in his inimitable style. In his memoir, Dev takes you through the journey of his life in classic filmi style, starting from his early days of struggle in Bollywood, to his relationship with his siblings, his crazy fans, his association with directors, actors and of course his heroines.
Dev Anand is something of a Bollywood institution.  In Romancing with Life, the first-ever full-fledged memoir by a leading Bollywood star, he tells his remarkable life story—no less dramatic and gripping than any of his films—like only he can. Here are tales from Dev’s youth in 1930s Gurdaspur and Lahore; his years of struggle in 1940s Bombay; his friendship with Guru Dutt and his doomed romance with Suraiya; his marriage to co-star Kalpana Kartik; his relationships with his brothers Chetan—who brought him to Bombay—and Vijay Anand—who directed him in hit after hit, with S.D. and R.D. Burman, who provided the memorable music for his films, with his compatriots Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor, to both of whom he was very close, and with his heroines, from Geeta Bali, Madhubala, Meena Kumari, Nutan, Vyjayanthimala, Mumtaz and Hema Malini to Waheeda Rehman, Zeenat Aman and Tina Munim, all of whom he launched.

Romancing with Life is a fine account of a superstar who has lived on his own terms and conditions. Yes, it has several superfluous elements in it, but still one can’t ignore the intricacies of a Great Star who continues to look forward to future with a childlike intensity. It’s worth being an attraction in your book shelf.

Dev Anand does not need any introduction as he has been serving the film-industry for the last half decade. He has Devanandbeen dominating the screen with bubbling enthusiasm and youthful vigor. Dev Anand has established a landmark for all times, unlike the other great names. That’s why Dev Anand can be compared with any youthful artistes anywhere in the world-yesterday, today or tomorrow.

Over fifty-five years of life in cinemas has seen various phases of man’s instinct and woman’s desires. In fact he is the only film star who never really loved a woman yet practically all the woman in his life, on and off screen, adored and worshipped him and continue to do so. A phenomenon, a craze, a legend par excellence till date!
As an actor, he has already immortalized himself in Guide. His own directorial ventures like Hare Rama Hare Krishna created another vogue in motion picture making. In fact, he was the first person to make a film, which was entirely based on cricket, Awwal Number, starring Aamir Khan in the lead.

Previously his cinematic achievements included Baazi and CID which too came at a time when the film industry was at its lowest phase. History repeated itself, when success followed with Johny Mera Naam and Amir Garib, infusing new life into Hindi cinema.

Dev Anand, in fact has saved many a leading filmmaker from the throes of bankruptcy, like Munimji saved the tottering Filmistan studios in Mumbai from collapse and Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai gave a new lease of life to Nasir Hussain who eventually became a very successful movie maker.

His own banner, ‘Navketan’ has been responsible for creating many legends among stars and directors like Guru Dutt, Raj Khosla, Vijay Anand, Waheeda Rehman, Zeenat Aman, S.D. Burman, R.D. Burman and Tina Munim.

At the moment, this evergreen young man is busy making his new venture, Love at Times Square.

Truly, Dev Anand is a true living legend.

Personal Profile (Personal Biography)
Original Name:  Devdutt Pishorimal Anand
Date of Birth (Birthday):  26 September, 1923
Zodiac Sign:  Libra
Eye Color:  Black
Hair Color:  Black
Birth Place:  Gurdaspur, Punjab
Religion:  Hindu
Education:  English literature from the Government College, Lahore
Marital Status:  Married
Languages:  Hindi, English
Contact Address:  Navketan Films Anand, 42 Pali Hill Zig Zag Road, Bandra(W), Mumbai 400 050

Family Background
Father’s Name:  Devdutt Pishorimal Anand
Spouse:  Kalpana Kartik
Son:  Sunil Anand

Film Background (Filmography)
Debut Film:  Hum Ek Hain
Famous Movies:  Return of Jewel Thief, Gangster, Sachche Ka Bol Bala, Anand Aur Anand, Des Pardes, Prem Shastra, Heera Panna, Shareef Budmaash, Gambler, Johny Mera Naam, Prem Pujari, Jewel Thief, Guide, Sharabi, Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja, Sarhad, Nau Do Gyarah, Taxi Driver, Jeet,
Upcoming Movies:  Mr. Prime Minister
Film Awards:  Padma Bhushan For his Contribution in Hindi Cinema, Best Actor Award For Guide, Kala Pani

Dev Anand was born in Gurdaspur in Punjab to a well-to-do advocate, Pishorimal Anand. He graduated in English literature from the Government College, Lahore (now in Pakistan). His love for acting made him leave his hometown.Dev began his career in the military censor office at Churchgate, Mumbai, for a princely salary of Rs 160. He was soon offered a break as an actor by Prabhat Talkies to star in their Hum Ek Hain (1946). While shooting for the film in Pune, Dev struck a friendship with fellow actor Guru Dutt. Soon, they were swapping shirts, double dating and sharing dreams. They made a pact: if Dev produced a film, Guru Dutt would direct it; if Guru Dutt produced a film, Dev would act in it.

Dev made the grade first. By a strange coincidence, Dev was offered his first big break by Ashok Kumar, his favourite star. Kumar spotted Dev hanging around in the studios and picked him as hero for the Bombay Talkies production, Ziddi, costarring Kamini Kaushal (1948). His first success came with Ziddi (1948).

In 1949, he turned producer and launched his own “banner” Navketan, which continues to churn out movies year after year. Though his maiden attempt at direction, Prem Pujari, flopped, his second directorial effort Hare Rama Hare Krishna in the 1970’s with Zeenat Aman was a big success.

Dev never looked back. He bought his first car, a black Hillman. His dream of working with his teenage idol, actress Snehprabha Pradhan, was also fulfilled.

As promised, Dev gambled on Guru Dutt as director for the crime thriller, Baazi (1951). The dice rolled in favour of this creative collaboration; the Sahir [Ludhianvi, lyricist] song, Tadbeer se bigdi huyee taqdeer bana de, proved prophetic and Dev became a true blue star. It also crystallised his image as an urban cowboy with more than his share of smarts.

At this stage, Dev was drawn towards grey-shaded roles and films with a noirish flavour, like Jaal (1952). He played a gambler, a smuggler, a blackmarketeer. The year 1954 was a crucial one. Dev was one of the earliest Indian stars to visit Russia. His starrers, Rahee and Aandhiyan, were screened there along with Raj Kapoor’s Awaara.In the same year, Taxi Driver was declared a hit. Dev’s heroine was Kalpana Kartik again, and the two decided to marry in a quiet ceremony during a lunch break on the sets!

Marriage and the birth of son Suneil in 1956 did not affect Dev’s draw. A rapidfire style of dialogue delivery, an array of hats (remember Aye meri topi palat ke aa?), and a penchant for nodding while speaking became Dev’s USP in films like Munimji, CID and Paying Guest.

His style was lapped up by the audience and was widely imitated. He starred in a string of box office successes for the remainder of the 1950’s and some of his hit films include Munimji, CID, Paying Guest, Gambler, Tere Ghar ke Saamne and Kaala Pani.

Sure, he had style, but Dev’s detractors cast aspersions on his acting abilities and questioned his inclusion in the hallowed Raj [Kapoor]-Dilip [Kumar] league. Dev made them eat humble pie with his class act in Kala Pani (1958), as the son who is willing to go to any lengths — including sweet-talking a courtesan into believing he is in love with her — to clear his framed father’s name. He won the Best Actor Award for the film.

He was romantically involved with singer-actress Suraiya and the two of them paired in six films together. During the shooting of a song, a boat capsized and Dev Anand saved Suraiya from drowning. She fell in love with him but her grandmother opposed the relationship. Suraiya remained unmarried all her life.

After the success of the coloured version of Dilip Kumar starrer `Mughal-e-Azam`, it is now the turn for Dev Anand`s classic `Hum Dono` to don colours and spread its charm once again after 40 years.

“The trend of colourisation of old classics has not only attracted the older generation but  also the new generation, who would like to relive the old experience. In this regard the attempt of colourisation of `Hum Dono` is appreciable,” 83-year-old Dev Anand told reporters here last night.

He was even more happy that his Hum Dono was chosen for colourisation. The movie is scheduled for a December release.

“A colourful romance looks good in colour. We should give the world a chance to see it. Hence I was excited when Hyderabad-based goldstone technologies approached me to seek permission for colourisation of Hum Dono,” he said.

Speaking on the film Hum Dono, Dev Anand said that it was a challenging movie to perform. It was the only movie where he performed a double role, with varied shades of emotions.

Asked about his preferred movie which he would want to be remade in colour, Dev Anand said he did not have any one choice but a string of them including Kala Bazar, Kalapani, taxi driver and Tere Ghar Ke Saamne.

He was also not averse to remake of his movies, except for guide. “Remaking is not wrong. But classics should not be tampered with. I am not against remaking of my movies, except guide. It`s my favourite,” the actor said.

According to Dev Anand his next movie in line is a murder mystery. He also said that his much awaited autobiography would be released on his 84th birthday that is on September 26.

Dev Anand was at his best when he launched his Autobiography Romancing with Lifeyesterday at his Anand Recording Studio.

“This book is about me, me and only me”, said the evergreen hero. However, he did not wish to divulge much into detail about the book as it would only hit the stands on his birthday on 26th September.

“This is not only about my life in films but even my days before I had joined the industry. Of course I had to edit a lot of things. Every day life is a new chapter. So one year makes it 365 chapters and I am 83 years old. So I cannot write it all. But I have included most things that have made a difference to me- things which made me grow as a person, things which hurt me, etc.” said he.

He went on “This book will be for people who know Dev Anand, who wish to know Dev Anand and who wish to know more of Dev Anand.”

On asking him if he would allow the book to me made into a movie he replied, “That would depend on the person making it. If I feel he is capable enough then why not?”

Dev Anand at the moment is casting for his next film titled Charge Sheet after which he will begin his Croatian film which will be made in English.

Dev Anand was born in Gurdaspur in Punjab to a well-to-do advocate, Pishorimal Anand. He graduated in English literature from the Government College, Lahore (now in Pakistan). His love for acting made him leave his hometown.Dev began his career in the military censor office at Churchgate, Mumbai, for a princely salary of Rs 160. He was soon offered a break as an actor by Prabhat Talkies to star in their Hum Ek Hain (1946). While shooting for the film in Pune, Dev struck a friendship with fellow actor Guru Dutt. Soon, they were swapping shirts, double dating and sharing dreams. They made a pact: if Dev produced a film, Guru Dutt would direct it; if Guru Dutt produced a film, Dev would act in it.

Dev made the grade first. By a strange coincidence, Dev was offered his first big break by Ashok Kumar, his favourite star. Kumar spotted Dev hanging around in the studios and picked him as hero for the Bombay Talkies production, Ziddi, costarring Kamini Kaushal (1948). His first success came with Ziddi (1948).

In 1949, he turned producer and launched his own “banner” Navketan, which continues to churn out movies year after year. Though his maiden attempt at direction, Prem Pujari, flopped, his second directorial effort Hare Rama Hare Krishna in the 1970’s with Zeenat Aman was a big success.

Dev never looked back. He bought his first car, a black Hillman. His dream of working with his teenage idol, actress Snehprabha Pradhan, was also fulfilled.

As promised, Dev gambled on Guru Dutt as director for the crime thriller, Baazi (1951). The dice rolled in favour of this creative collaboration; the Sahir [Ludhianvi, lyricist] song, Tadbeer se bigdi huyee taqdeer bana de, proved prophetic and Dev became a true blue star. It also crystallised his image as an urban cowboy with more than his share of smarts.

At this stage, Dev was drawn towards grey-shaded roles and films with a noirish flavour, like Jaal (1952). He played a gambler, a smuggler, a blackmarketeer. The year 1954 was a crucial one. Dev was one of the earliest Indian stars to visit Russia. His starrers, Rahee and Aandhiyan, were screened there along with Raj Kapoor’s Awaara.In the same year, Taxi Driver was declared a hit. Dev’s heroine was Kalpana Kartik again, and the two decided to marry in a quiet ceremony during a lunch break on the sets!

Marriage and the birth of son Suneil in 1956 did not affect Dev’s draw. A rapidfire style of dialogue delivery, an array of hats (remember Aye meri topi palat ke aa?), and a penchant for nodding while speaking became Dev’s USP in films like Munimji, CID and Paying Guest.

His style was lapped up by the audience and was widely imitated. He starred in a string of box office successes for the remainder of the 1950’s and some of his hit films include Munimji, CID, Paying Guest, Gambler, Tere Ghar ke Saamne and Kaala Pani.

Sure, he had style, but Dev’s detractors cast aspersions on his acting abilities and questioned his inclusion in the hallowed Raj [Kapoor]-Dilip [Kumar] league. Dev made them eat humble pie with his class act in Kala Pani (1958), as the son who is willing to go to any lengths — including sweet-talking a courtesan into believing he is in love with her — to clear his framed father’s name. He won the Best Actor Award for the film.

He was romantically involved with singer-actress Suraiya and the two of them paired in six films together. During the shooting of a song, a boat capsized and Dev Anand saved Suraiya from drowning. She fell in love with him but her grandmother opposed the relationship. Suraiya remained unmarried all her life.