After a tough struggle, Devanand made a unique identity in the film industry – Dainik Savera Times

Mumbai: Actor-filmmaker Devanand, who ruled the hearts of the audience for almost six decades, had to struggle hard to make a mark in the film industry. Born on 26 September 1923 in a middle-class family in Gurdaspur, Punjab, Dharamdev Pishorimal Anand alias Devanand completed his graduation in English literature from the famous Government College, Lahore in 1942.

Devanand wanted to study further but his father clearly told him that he did not have money to educate him and if he wanted to study further then he should do a job. Devanand decided that if he had to do a job then why not try his luck in the film industry.

When he reached Mumbai in 1943 to fulfill his dreams, he had only Rs 30 and no place to stay. After reaching here, Devanand rented a room in a cheap hotel near the railway station. Three other people also lived with him in that room, who, like Devanand, were struggling to make their mark in the film industry.

When many days passed like this, Dev Anand thought that if he wanted to live in Mumbai, he would have to do a job to earn his living, no matter what kind of job it was. After tireless efforts, he got the job of clerk in the Military Censor Office. Here he had to read out the letters of the soldiers to their family members.

Dev Anand was to get a monthly salary of Rs 165 in the Military Censor Office, out of which he used to send Rs 45 for his family’s expenses. After working in the Military Censor for about a year, he went to his elder brother Chetan Anand who was associated with the Bharatiya Jana Natya Sangh (IPTA) at that time. He also included Dev Anand with him in IPTA.

Meanwhile, Devanand did small roles in plays. Devanand started his cine career as an actor with the film ‘Hum Ek Hai’ released in 1945. The film ‘Ziddi’, released in the year 1948, proved to be the first hit film of Dev Anand’s film career. After the success of this film, he entered the field of film production and established Navketan Banner.

Under the banner of Navketan, Devanand produced his first film ‘Afsar’ in the year 1950, the responsibility of direction of which he handed over to elder brother Chetan Anand. After this, Devanand made ‘Baaji’ in the year 1951 under his own banner. After the success of the film ‘Baji’ directed by Guru Dutt, Devanand became a good actor in the film industry.

During the making of the film Officer, Devanand was inclined towards film actress Suraiya. During the shooting of a song, Devanand and Suraiya’s boat capsized in water. Devanand saved Suraiya from drowning. After this, Suraiya started falling deeply in love with Devanand, but due to lack of permission from Suraiya’s grandmother, the couple could not consummate their relationship. In the year 1954, Devanand married the famous actress of that time, Kalpana Karthik.

Devanand was greatly influenced by renowned novelist R.K. Narayan and wanted to make a film on his novel ‘Guide’. After the approval of RK Narayanan, Devanand, in collaboration with Hollywood, produced a film guide in both Hindi and English languages, which was the first color film of Devanand’s cine career.

Devanand was also given the Best Actor Filmfare Award for his tremendous acting in this film. As a producer, Dev Anand made many films. Apart from the film ‘Afsar’ released in the year 1950, these films include ‘Humsafar’, ‘Taxi Driver House No. Many films like 44’, ‘Funtoosh’, ‘Kaalapani’, ‘Kala Bazaar’, ‘Humdono’, ‘Tere Mere Sapne’, ‘Guide and Jewel Thief’ etc. are included.

In the year 1970, Devanand also entered the field of direction with the film Prem Pujari, although this film was badly rejected at the box office. Despite this he did not lose courage. After this, in the year 1971, he also directed the film ‘Hare Rama Hare Kshna’, after the success of which he made films including ‘Heera Panna’, ‘Desh Pardes’, ‘Lootmar’, ‘Swami Dada’, ‘Sachche Ka Bolbala’ and ‘Awwal Number’. Also directed some films.

Devanand was awarded the Filmfare Award for Best Acting twice. In the year 2001, Devanand received the Padma Bhushan award from the Government of India. In 2002, he was also honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his significant contribution to Hindi cinema. The great filmmaker Dev Anand, who made a special mark in the hearts of the audience with his films, said goodbye to this world on 03 December 2011.