Dharam Dev Pishorimal Anand (Dev Anand was born on 26th September 1923 Gurdaspur district in Punjab. Dev’s father Pishori Lal Anand was well established Advocate. Vijay Anand, Manmohan Anand and his sister name is Sheela Kanta Kapur and she is mother of Shekhar Kapur. Dev Anand did his BA in English Literature from Government College, Lahore. Dev Anand was well-known bollywood Star, Writer, Director and Producer. He is a co-founder of Navketan Films. In his spam of 65 years of Acting he has acted in more than 114 Hindi Films out of 104 in which he had played a main solo leading role and he has also done 2 English Movies. And in 2001 he received Padma Bushan award from Government of India. And received Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2002 for his contribution in Indian Cinema. In 1969 he was a member of the jury at the 6th Moscow International Film Festival.
After completing his Graduation in English Literature he left his hometown and went to Bombay in 1940’s. After reaching Bombay he joined Military Censor’s office situated at Churchgate on a monthly salary of Rs.165/-. Afterward he joined as a Clerk in accountancy firm for a salary of Rs. 85/-. Later he accompanied his brother Chetan Anand as member of IPTA (Indian People’s Theatre Association). He got inspiration from Ashok Kumar’s after seeing his performance in movies such as Achhut Kanya and Kismat. Babu Rao Pai of Prabhat Film Studios gave him first break therefore he was offered the lead role in Prabhat Films Hum Ek Hain Released in 1946 this movie was based on Hindu-Muslim Unity in this movie he played a role of Hindu Boy and he acted opposite Kamala kotnis. While doing shooting in Pune he became friend with Guru Dutt. They made a mutual agreement that if one of them was to become successful actor in film industry they will not stand in each other’s success instead help each other. In their mutual understanding that when Anand Produce a movie Dutt would direct it and when Dutt Direct a film Dev will act in it.
Dev Anand was introduced by Ashok Kumar giving him a leading role in Ziddi in 1948 opposite Kamini Kaushal. After achieving great success in movie Ziddi he decided that he would start producing movies. Dev’s Association with Kishore Kumar started when kishore kumar sang first solo for his movie Marne Ki duayen. After that there was no looking back for Dev Anand and he went on to star in 114 movies between the period of 1946 till 2005.
Dev Anand acted in movies like House No. 44, Pocket Maar, Munimiji, funtoosh, CID, Paying Guest, Taxi Driver, Nau Do Garayan, Guide, Kala Pani, Insaniyat, Bombai Ka Baboo, kala Bazar, Solva Saal, Rahee, Andhiyaan, Manzil, Tere Ghar Ka Samnay, Maya, Kinaare kinaare, Mahal, Teen Deviyaan, Asli-Naqli, Jewel Thief, Johny Mere Naam and these all movies were block buster hit.
While shooting with Suraiya their boat got capsized, Dev Anand rescued Suraiya in Filmy Style and then they both fell in love and wanted to get married. Unfortunately this could not happen as Suraiya’s grandmother said no. As we know that Suraiya acted in dozen of movies with Dev Anand and remained unmarried throughout her life.
Dev Anand met Mona Singh a beauty queen from Shimla as she was revealed By Chetan Anand she got married with Dev Anand during their tour to Screening of movie Rahee and Aandhiyan in Russia. After getting married with Dev Anand Mona Singh adapted screen name as Kalpana Kartik and she starred with Dev Anand in all her movies. From their wedlock they gave birth two children Suniel and Devina.
In 1980 he decided as being a right time to introduce his Son Suneil Anand as a actor. He launched his son Anand Aur Anand in 1984 this movie was both produced and directed Dev Anand. Unfortunately this movie was a box office disaster and his son decided not to act in movies any more.
His movies such as Hum Naujawan and Lashkar continued to be box office hit and was very much liked by critics. In 1990 he was seen with Amir Khan in movie Awwal Number and this movie became Average grossing movie at the box office. Except Awwal Number all the movies released in 1990 were box office flops. Though his movie Sau Crore in 1991 and Censor In 2000 were critically acclaimed. His last movie Chargsheet 2011 was criticized by critics.
Dev Anand’s Directorial debut Prem Pujari did not do good business at box of office and was flop in this movie Zaheeda and Waheeda Rehman played leading female artist role. He tasted his first success as director in movie Hare Rama Hare Krishna this movie was based on hippie culture. In this movie he introduced Zeenat aman later Dev was also recognized as filmmaker of trenchantly topical themes. Same year he acted with Mumtaz in Tere Mere Sapne and this movie was based on A. J. Cronin’s novel, The Citadel. And this movie was directed by Vijay Anand. He again got paired with Zaheeda in Gambler this time move did good business at the box office and was hit..
Dev Anand introduced two charming Actress Zeenat Aman and Tina Munim to India Film Industry.
Dev Anand autobiography Romancing with life was released in 2007 on his birthday party.
Till date he has directed 19 movies and produced 35 movies out this 7 of his directorial and 18 movies were successful at the box office doing great business. And he has also written scripts of his movies. His all movies were known for hit songs. During his film career he participated in the music sessions of a number of his films. He has done movie with great composers like Shankar Jaikishen, O.P Nayyar, Kalyanji-Anandji, S.D Burman, R.D Burman, and worked with lyricists like Hasrat Jaiuri, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Neeraj, Shailndra and Anand Bakshi. And worked with playback singers Mohammed Rafi, Hemant Kumar and Kishore Kumar and they all were his closed friends of Film Industry.
At the age of 88 on December 2011 he left this world due to his lost bollywood industry faced big loss. He died of cardiac arrest in his room at The Washington Mayfair Hotel in London where he was gone for medical checkup.