Happy birthday Dev Anand: With his Charismatic style Dev Anand ruled Bollywood for six decades. There can never be another like him in the film industry. The legendary actor gave romance a totally new meaning, way before Shah Rukh Khan entered the industry and became the king of romance.
Lovingly acknowledged as Dev Sahab or Dev Saab, the actor was born on September 26, 1923, in Gurdaspur district in Punjab.
Dev Anand was an actor, producer, writer, director who donned many hats with poise. In addition to several accolades and honours, Dev Saab was conferred with the Padma Bhushan and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his contribution to Indian cinema. His film Guide, which is an all-time classic, was India’s official entry to the Oscars.
He carved a niche for himself with his unmatched talent and inimitable charm, which was why women fell head-over-heels for him.
In a career spanning almost six decades, he worked in films like, Taxi Driver, Jewel Thief and CID. He broke new grounds, playing a smuggler in Jaal, absconding gang member in Dushman, Blackmarketeer in Kala Bazaar, and a murderer in Bombay Ka Babu.
Dev Anand’s style and unmistakable flair were standard in fashion. They became classics and are still relevant many years later.
Dev Saab belonged to an influential time in fashion. The retro vibe of his look continues to feature in the pages of trends to date. With mufflers, hats, and berets, he also wore a cool attitude that can be emulated by the present-day youth today.
Honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2002, Dev Anand had also been politically active. He led a group of film personalities, who stood up against the 1975 Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
The actor-director-producer was working till his last. His last project Chargesheet was ready for release when he died and he was planning an extension of his cult hit Hare Rama Hare Krishna.
He died in 2011 aged 88 in London after a cardiac arrest.
On his birthday, let’s remember the evergreen actor and celebrate his love for movies and life.
