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.

Legendary actor Dev Anand , who’s amazing acting enthralled the viewers over half-a-century, has come in praise for “rejecting a role”, which later kickstarted the career of mega superstar Amitabh Bachchan.

Veteran actress Jaya Bachchan publicly thanked Dev Anand in London Sunday night for turning down the lead role in Prakash Mehra ’s film Zanjeer 25 years ago, which was then offered to a struggling Amitabh Bachchan, her husband.

The movie went on to make history at the box office, making Amitabh a star with a popular title “angry young man.”

Jaya was launching the autobiography of Dev Anand titled ‘Romancing With Life’ at the Nehru Centre where the ‘evergreen actor’ was complimented by several speakers.

But Jaya, who played the lead female role in the 1973 film, was in a reminiscent mood and thanked Dev Anand “heartily”, for “you gave up Zanjeer”.

Eighty-four year-old Dev Anand, then a leading actor admitted: “Zanjeer was offered to me.”

The hero in Zanjeer typified the raw seething, anger of the youth of the time while also providing, for the first time, some cathartic relief.

According to Prakash Mehra if Zanjeer scored, it was because of the suppressed rage portrayed by the protagonist, played by Amitabh, who was preparing to pack up his bags and return to his native Allahabad if the film failed.

Speaking on the occasion, Monika Kapil Mohta, Director of Nehru Centre described Dev Anand as a “great Indian who has made outstanding contribution to the Indian film industry. He is one of the greatest legends of our time.”

Among the 250 special invitees present at the launch were Lord Navnit Dholakia, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords, Lord Karan Billimoria, Co-Chairman of the India-UK Network and G P Hinduja, President of the Hinduja Group.
Sources : http://www.apunkachoice.com/

Evergreen actor Dev Anand is quite a charmer, even at 83. His latest gesture (in the email and mobile era) has touched the hearts of many. In a personal invitation (on his letter head), Dev Sahab has invited the fourth estate (over a cup of tea) for a press conference, regarding his autobiography. The invitations are in his own handwriting and signed by him personally.

For those who are unaware, Dev Anand’s 450 page autobiography, ‘Romancing with Life’, is being published by Penguin. It will be officially released by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the 26th September 2007, which interestingly coincides with the birthdays of both the PM and the evergreen hero.
Here’s wishing Dev Sahab many more birthdays and eternal youth!

“A man who is always very excitedly on the move with new ideas – always has a dream in his mind – ever the optimist.”

Navketan Studios is an impressive antiquated structure on Pali Hill. A landmark in this upscale neighborhood of Mumbai, it has been a silent spectator of the life and times of the eternal young man – Dev Anand. Meet the legendary superstar in conversation with Jasmeen Dugal.

Throughout the sixties he held his own as one of the most sought after heroes in Indian cinema. His image as the dashing reckless romantic combined with his international good looks made him the amour of millions. Girls swooned at the thought of him and young men strived to be like him. Though people say that he is very much inspired by Gregory Peck, Dev has his own charisma and this charmer has proved it time and again. The evergreen hero, whose zest for life is undiminished despite the series of flops he has delivered over the past few years – still makes young hopefuls’ hearts flutter. A vegetarian, a tee-o-taller and an eternal optimist, Dev Anand’s popularity has spanned three generations. He has come a long way and at seventy-seven still is energetic and busy acting producing and directing – with a career graph that made his contemporaries green with envy. Presented The hero of the century Award by Cinema Express and The Lifetime Achievement Award by Hillary Clinton, the going is still good for the man who believes: “Never Say Die”.