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.

The 88-year-old Dev Anand he has been in Bollywood for more than six decades now and delivered hits like Jewel Thief, Guide, Hare Rama Hare Krishna, and veteran actor Dev Anand has added yet another award to his collection of many Award.

The handsome and desing hero of the past Dev ji who received a lifetime achievement award of his perfection from NDTV at a glittering ceremony, started his career in 1945 and got his first big break with ‘Ziddi’ in 1948 and never had to look back since then.

Dev Anand was honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards, and Devsaab looking a sprightly 86, spoke about how he was still going strong and looking forward to his new movie releasing later this year.