As journalists, most of us cease to be in awe of celebrities very soon in the career. But Dev Anand, the legendary film star, was someone I remained in awe of always. Today would have been his 91st birthday. I feel I was indeed lucky to have met my hero, whose large sized black white poster adorned the wall of my room all my growing years.
Although I was never on the entertainment beat, I got a chance to interview Dev Anand in 2005 on the eve of his birthday. I was with the Press Trust of India (PTI) then. My photographer colleague was of course there but I had still carried my own camera. During the almost half-an-hour long free-wheeling interview, I could again and again sense his zest for life. That was, in fact, his USP.
This was immediately after I had interviewed Dev Anand in 2005 on the eve of his birthday then
He spoke with such ease. No hang-ups, no throwing weight while talking to a junior reporter. And for his 80-plus age, he was very “aware” and with an “alert mind” as he described during the interview. I was already in love with him; I fell in love all over again.
After the interview, I requested him for a photo with me. When I pulled out my own camera, he started teasing me. “Look at this chirpy girl. You brought your own camera?”
With a huge grin, I returned to my office, still star-struck.
The eternal romantic star died in December 3, 2011. He had died in London, far away from his fans. But I am sure, just like I have him in my heart, other fans too remember him always. My favourite song Phoolon Ke Rang Se Dil Ki Kalam Se almost has a Sufiana touch to it what with lines such as ‘Yaad Tu Aaye Man Ho Jaaye Bheed Ke Beech Akela’.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4iYbxFBZKQ
Below is the story that PTI carried that day in 2005, a day ahead of his birthday.
Dev Anand’s birthday gift to his fans – autobiography
It cannot get any better.
He has spent six decades in the film industry, acted in films, produced and directed movies and still going strong … and now, for the first time in so many years, Dev Anand, who turns 82 tomorrow, has written and sung a rap song for his forthcoming film ‘Mr Prime Minister’.
That’s just not it. He is ready with his autobiography, which would be published soon after the film is released.
Speaking about the song in the film, he said “It’s a rap in Hindi and English and I have re-discovered myself while enacting it.”
“I have not exactly sung the song … It is more of a poetic narration. Nobody knows who the Prime Minister is (in the film), so nobody could have known what I have to say. And that’s why I had to sing this,” the still-young-at-heart director of the movie told PTI today.
“I am expecting a heaven out of it (the film). It is very difficult to put across an idea which will be understood by all. But I have made an earnest effort to put forth a view,” the optimist in him said while speaking about the film, which is due for release in November.
Is film me main kuch kehna chaah raha hun, meri baat suno (I am trying to convey something, listen to me), he said.
But the man is not satisfied there … Coming soon after the film is his autobiography that captures the experiences his “aware and alert” mind has recorded as India passed through so many moments of joy and sorrow.
Like his quest for perfection in his films and in his life otherwise too, Anand says the book on his life would be an honest reflection of the times he has seen. “All important milestones during my life, as my aware and alert mind has recorded, would be present in the book, which is not just a book about me but about what I have seen and remembered all through these years.”
“I have seen India gain Independence, there has been the Mahatma (Gandhi) in my life, I have seen the Indo-Pak war, seen Indira … And also the Emergency. Seen Atal Behari, the NDA … Everything,” he said adding, “of course, all that with my point of view.”
The autobiography is almost finished, he said. “I think I may add one more chapter to it to incorporate what I feel about the film ‘Mr Prime Minister’,” Anand added. Right now the film is in the last stages of completion. Once it is released in November, “I will put my mind on finishing the autobiography,” the ever green actor said. The book should be out early next year.
(This was carried first by Outlook magazine’s website on September 25, 2005. It can be read here http://www.outlookindia.com/news/article/Dev-Anands-birthday-gift-to-his-fans–autobiography/325145 )
