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Evergreen Dev Anand no more
India Blooms News Service
Mumbai/London, Dec 4 (IBNS): The style-icon of Bollywood, Dev Anand, passed away on Sunday, leaving a deep vaccum in the world of Indian cinema.
He was 88 years young when the end came. His son Suneil was near him.
The actor died in a London hotel where he was staying with his son.
He died London time 10 pm on Dec 3, when it was already Dec 4 in India.
The actor would be cremated in London next week after his daughter reaches there, his manager said.
The man who thought ahead of his time and had revolutionized Bollywood in a way with a film like Guide featuring a live-in relationship with a married woman in 1965, passed away in a London hotel after suffering a massive cardiac arrest.
He is survived by his children and wife.
Known for his spontaneous acting and unique style that can be compared some of the Hollywood greats of yesteryear, critics and his fans have often compared him with Hollywood icon Gregory Pegg.
The sparkling eyes and the romantic appeal made him the heartthrob of B-town.
Dev Anand was a powerhouse of energy and youthfulness till his last days and as filmmaker Karan Johar sums up as as the man who epitomized all that Bollywood gave us.
When asked what motivates him to work so hard even today, he had told our correspondent recently: "I want to take the world with me. Absolutely that’s the way I feel and that’s why I am living. And there’s no business like show business….it’s beautiful."
"Dreams should never die. When the dreams are dead, you are dead. After fulfilling every dream, I realize there is a new dream that dawns. I used to dream about the Hollywood people…my inspiration is Hollywood in 1950s," he said.
Dev Saab, as he was affectionately known, was born Dharam Dev Anand on Sept 26 1923 in Shakargarh Tehsil – District Gurdaspur now Narowal district of Pakistan] as the second of four offspring of a rich lawyer of British India Kishorimal Anand.
After entering the film industry he had fallen in love with the legendary Suraiya. He played second fiddle to her in 4 of the 7 movies starring her but had by then become a heartthrob of every woman.
Despite gifting a diamond ring worth over Rs.3000 [an emperor’s ransom in the early fifties] and romancing the actress, he could not marry her due to differences in religion – she being a Muslim and neither willing to convert.
Suraiya remained single throughout her life.
Paired with Kalpana Kartik in Baazi produced under the banner of Navketan in 1951, Dev had truly arrived as an actor with a distinct style in dialogue delivery and a sexy swagger that sent audiences squealing with delight.
A few years later Dev married Kalpana who also had tried his hand at acting briefly.
He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2001 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2002 for his contributions towards Indian cinema.
Apart from acting Dev Anand had equal amount of brilliance and knowledge in film-making.
The actor, who introduced some of the most beautiful and glamorous heroines of Bollywood like the classic beauty Waheeda Rahman and the 70s sex symbol Zeenat Aman, after graduating in English Literature from the Government College, Lahore (now Pakistan), left his hometown and came to Mumbai in the early 1940s.
Recalling the association to a TV channel, Waheed Rahman said breaking down: "He was my first hero. He was one of the finest and most decent man in the industry. We are all going to miss him. I am really very sad."
"We have to learn so much from him. He had so much energy in him. I used to call him an Eveready battery.
"I used to feel very secure with him," said Waheeda, adding that the actor was not into smoking or drinking, she said.
In an earlier interview to TWF-IBNS, Waheeda Rahman said how Dev Anand was happy when she got all the critical acclaim for acting in Guide.
"Dev (Anand) called me up and said: 'Waheeda, jo bhi threatre se bahar aa raha hai, woh hi baas 'Rosy Rosy' kar raha hai. I am feeling very bad...I am the producer, hero...I am the Guide, but all are praising you.'," Waheeda recalled.
India reacted to the death of their favourite icon on Sunday as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said: “Dev Anand was a great artiste who entertained generations of cinema lovers over five decades. He was an embodiment of long passion for acting and film-making. I join millions of his fans in mourning his death.”
"There was no pack up for Dev Anand in life," said filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt about the legend of Indian cinema.
Director Shekhar Kapoor tweeted: “Dev Anand lived n died at his own terms. He was working one minute. Sat down and smiled. And was gone the next. So much 2 learn.”
Recalling the memories associated with the legend, Anupam Kher reacted: “Had once asked Dev Saab why did he speak so fast? His reply,'Life is too short Anupam. I don't 've time to speak slowly.'"
“Abhi na jao chod kar, yeh dil abhi bhara nahin. The best looking man in bollywood & the hero of my most fav film guide,” actor Sonam Kapoor posted on the micro-blogging site.
“RIP Dev saab,still remember my 1st meetin with him, so kind, full of life nd positive. A legend who always thot ahead of his time. Will miss you,” actor Shilpa Shetty reacted.
“We hv lost far too many legends this yr. Shammi Kapoor, Jagjit Singh, Dev Saab, Steve Jobs & many more. The world feels like a lesser place,” actor Sophie Choudry said.
“The guide of entertainment industry, Dev Sahab has passed away. Our tributes to him...May his soul rest in peace,” Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi expressed his thoughts.
“During the 1975-77 emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi, Dev Sahab was the one who stood up in favour of democracy with most conviction,” the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader added.
“Very saddened to hear of the passing of a cinematic legend and a thorough gentleman. RIP Dev saab,” director turned actor Farhan Akhtar tweeted.
“Someone who always looked ahead of time. Shammi uncle (Shammi Kapoor) and Dev Anand met with each other recently during the get together I arranged at the time of Imraan Khan's marriage. I have that picture. It is a sad loss,” actor Aamir Khan told reporters.
“He was dashing and full of style, “ he said.
“Bye Dev Sa'ab... loved your films- loved your style,” actor Rajat Kapoor tweeted.
“The passing of an era, a void never to be filled. Rest in peace Dev Sahib. A legend in your own life time, you will be sorely missed. Dev Sahib's career spanned the best & worst of hindi cinema - from the highs of Guide to the lows of Swami Dada, but always entertaining,” politician Omar Abdullah remarked.
“Woke up to the saddest news and an emptiness in the heart, Dev Saab the man who lived every moment to the fullest with greatest energy. RIP,” Arjun Rampal mentioned in his tweet.
“One of the worst years so far, evergreen romantic actor/director Dev Anand Saab, the one who romanced with life is no more, but he dies young. How many of us will have that privilege? For me Life = Dev Anand! My condolences to his family members. RIP Dev Anand Saab,” Akshay Kumar reacted.
“Sad to hear about Dev Anand's demise. Another icon leaves the stage. My condolences to his family. We will miss him,” Madhuri Dixit expressed her feelings.
“Shocked to read of the passing of Dev Saab. Such a great man and actor. A symbol of positivity,” Abhishek Bachchan tweeted.
“We will all miss Dev Sahib..what a legend,that proved over and over again that age is just a number,its the jest for life that counts:( RIP,” tennis star Sania Mirza expressed her feelings on a popular micro-blogging site.
“My father worked with devsaab for over 10 years. I grew up hearing about the sheer magic of DEV ANAND..RIP sir! Salute,Reverence and Respect. the industry just lost its sheen...the films just lost its charm...DEV ANAND epitomised all things celluloid give us,” director Karan Johar reacted.
“Woke up to the sad News of Dev Saheb's demise ! May God give peace to his soul ! He inspired us all by living his life 2 the fullest . R.I.P,” actor Preity Zinta posted.
He joined his older brother Chetan as a member of the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA).
He was soon offered a debut as an actor by Prabhat Talkies to star in their film Hum Ek Hain(1946).
He struck a friendship with another legend, Guru Dutt, and his famous onscreen heroine was Suraiya.
He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2001 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2002 for his contributions towards Indian cinema.
His fans will always remember him for his sparkling performance in films like ‘Hare Rama Hare Krishna’, Aage Badho’, ‘Bombai Ka Babu ‘, ‘C.I.D’, ‘Kalabaazar’, ‘Love Marriage’,’ Guide’,’ Paying Guest’, ‘Jewel Thief ‘, ‘Kala Pani ‘, 'Prem Pujari', Hum Dono’,‘and 'Tere Ghar Ke Samne’.
The songs of his films have touched generations for ages.
In recent years, the busy ‘evergreen’ actor of B-town kept himself engaged in making new films. ‘Censor’ was one such production he had made. However, the film flopped significantly at the box-office.
But following his own tradition, he used to give chances to young actors in his films and he kept on doing it in his later year movies.
A user of micro-blogging site ‘Twitter’, he used to communicate with his fans quite regularly.
With his death, his account will no more be seen buzzing with his oneliners. His last tweet was made on Dec 2, his account ‘itsmedevanand’ showed.
His last film ‘Chargesheet‘ had hit the silver screen in Sept, this year.
The year 2011 will go down in the history of Indian entertainment industry as one of the darkest year as it witnessed the passing away of so many legends that include- Shammi Kapoor, Bhupen Hazarika, Jagjit Singh and now Dev Anand.
(Writing by Supriyo Hazra with inputs from Sreya Basu, TSV Hari and Sujoy Dhar)
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