Dev Anand was born on September 26, 1923, in Gurdaspur, Punjab. After graduating from the prestigious Government College, Lahore, he came to Bombay to try his luck in the movies. After working odd jobs, he landed a role as the lead in a film Hum Ek Hain (1946), produced by the Poona-based Prabhat films. He kept on getting roles but it was Ziddi (1948), produced by Bombay Talkies and directed by Shahid Latif, husband of Ismat Chugtai who wrote the screenplay, that put him on the map.
Soon after, came Baazi (1951) and there was no stopping him. He emerged as one of the biggest names of the 1950s, along with his counterparts Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar, each one with a distinctive persona. Anand was the debonair lover boy with an infectious optimism – it approximated what he was in real life too. He also represented a more westernised, modern Hindi film hero, most comfortable in an urban milieu. Often, his characters eked out a living on the margins of the law.
Throughout his long and illustrious career, he continued to play roles that suited such a personality, romancing actresses over generations, right up to Des Pardes (1978) in which he was opposite a very young Tina Munim. In all these years, he had several hits and many a popular song was filmed on him. His films were known for their music and he had a long professional relationship with S.D. Burman and later with his son Rahul Dev Burman. Here are some of gems:
1. Tadbeer Se Bigadi Huyee Taqdeer Baazi (Baazi, 1951)
Though he did not sing this song on screen, it is from his first big hit, which established his persona as a happy go lucky guy who is often on the wrong side of the law. By this time he had already acted in over 20 films and though he had had hits such as Ziddi, it was Baazi that made him a star. Guru Dutt’s first directorial venture, Baazi was about a small-time gambler who becomes a card sharp who works for a shadowy boss who runs a popular club. Here, Geeta Bali, the club’s dancer, is challenging him to stop hesitating and gamble with his luck. The film was written by Balraj Sahni and introduced two new talents, Kalpana Kartik and a young comedian Johnny Walker.
2. Ye Raat Ye Chandni Phir Kahan (Jaal, 1952)
The following year, the Guru Dutt-Dev Anand-Geeta Bali combination scored another hit with Jaal, which is about a ruthless smuggler who uses women to move goods between Bombay and Goa, which was then a Portuguese colony. The music director was once again S.D. Burman, who eventually would have a long association with Dev Anand. The lyrics were penned by Sahir Ludhianvi, who also wrote the songs for Baazi. This is arguably one of the best songs of romance and seduction in Hindi cinema, where the cad Tony is trying to bring the conflicted Maria to him at night.
3. Chaahe Koi Khush Ho (Taxi Driver, 1954)
Dev Anand’s success story took off with this film, his biggest hit in the decade, where he played another poor but happy go lucky cabbie who spends his time with his friends and also his last rupee on them. After he saves a young girl (who has just arrived in Bombay to sing in films) from a couple of baddies, he discovers true love. The film was the first to be shot extensively on the streets of Bombay (the city is listed in the credits) and still evokes great nostalgia among moviegoers. Though there are other great songs in the film, again by the Sahir-Burman combination, this one deserves a recall because of its jaunty air and its philosophy of living life in the moment. Don’t miss the trams at Flora Fountain and other Bombay locations.
4. Kali Ke Roop Mein (Nau Do Gyarah, 1957)
The directorial debut of the youngest Anand brother, Vijay, also known as Goldie, this was a comedy with a noir-ish touch. Dev Anand plays a young man who sets out from Delhi in his ramshackle truck to claim his inheritance after the death of an uncle. Unknown to him, a young runaway bride is hiding in the truck disguised as a Sikh boy. After the secret is revealed, Anand flirts with her, while also threatening to leave the truck and walk on the sands of Rajasthan under a very hot sun.
5. Teri Dhoom Har Kahin (Kala Bazar, 1960)
As always, the house of Navketan kept on producing mainstream commercial films with unusual subjects. Here, Dev Anand played an uneducated ticket scalper who falls in love with a student (Waheeda Rehman) who is in love with another man (Vijay Anand) studying abroad. This was a twist to the usual boy meets girl story. This song has been forgotten, but it remains one of S.D. Burman’s best compositions and Majrooh Sultanpuri’s cleverest satires, on the love and worship of money. Burman used jazzy, trumpet music in the interludes of the song, which showed people sleeping on the streets of Bombay.
6. Main Zindagi ka Saath (Hum Dono, 1961)
Dev Anand’s double role as two lookalike army officers who meet on the front won him accolades from fans and critics alike. Music this time was by Jaidev, who had been S.D. Burman’s assistant, but the producers brought back Sahir Ludhianvi, who had parted ways from Navketan after a tiff with Burman. The film gave us many outstanding songs, including that hymn to secularism, Allah Tero Naam, but it is most remembered for this one, which is an anthem for not just Dev Anand but for millions of others. The lighter plays an important musical role in the film.
7. Dil ka Bhawar Kare Pukar (Tere Ghar ke Samne, 1963)
One of the very first modern romcoms in Hindi cinema, Tere Ghar ke Samne is recalled not just for its songs but also for how they were filmed. Its difficult to choose from its many well-remembered numbers and everyone has their own favourites, but this one is particularly cleverly done in the interiors of the Qutub Minar.
8. Mujhe Le Chalo Phir Us Gali Mein (Sharabi, 1964)
Dev Anand plays an alcoholic who loses his love because of his drinking habit. This is not one of his more successful films and he collaborated for the first time with Madan Mohan, but the music director rose to the occasion with songs like ‘Saawan ke Mahine Mein’. This one by Mohammed Rafi remains a favourite with the singer’s fans.
9. Din Dhal Jaaye (Guide, 1965)
Continuing their tradition of making off-beat and unconventional films, the Anand brothers took a big risk in making Guide, based on the novel by the same name of R.K. Narayan. The English version, directed by Tad Danielewski, was a huge flop and the Hindi project was handled by Vijay Anand. The plot was reworked to make it more palatable to Indian audiences, but even so, the idea of showing a woman who leaves two men who let her down, was bold and shocked Indian viewers. Waheeda Rehman was stunning as Rosie, the dancer who wants to lead her own life and Dev Anand played an uncharacteristic role of a guide from a small town in Rajasthan. The film is considered a classic.
10. Pal Bhar Ke Liye Koi Hame Pyar Kar Le (Johny Mera Naam, 1970)
The biggest ever commercial hit of his career, Dev Anand played a cop who infiltrates a gang of antique smugglers. A fresh-faced Hema Malini was cast opposite him and the director was his favourite, his younger brother Goldie.
Do send in your own favourites too #RememberingDevAnand.