Dev Anand

Dev Anand was a famous Indian film actor, director, writer and political activist. In fact, he was one of the greatest actors Bollywood had ever experienced. Critics regard him as one of the most influential actors in the history of the Indian films.

Early Life

Dev Anand born on 26 September in 1923 at Punjab in present Pakistan as Dharamdev Pishorimal Anand. His father Pishori Lal Anand was a rich lawyer of Punjab. He had three siblings. Dev completed his school at Sacred Heart School in present Dalhousie and achieved BA degree in English literature from the Lahore Government college.

Career

After completing graduation Dev went to Mumbai and did several jobs. But he was very eager to be an actor. He first appeared in 1946 film ‘Hum Ek Hain’ as the lead role. This film helped him very much to become a star overnight. In the last of 40’s, he appeared in some woman-story based films with actress Suraiya like ‘Vidya’ in 1948, Jeet in 1949 and ‘Shair’ in 1949. Dev and Suraiya loved each other in real life but could not get married as Suraiya’s family opposed their affair.

And appeared in film ‘Ziddi’ in 1948 which helped his stardom very much to grow up more. In 1952 he appeared in film ‘Baazi’ which was a crime thriller. Guru Dutt, the director of this film and Anand’s personal friend praised him very much for his amazing acting. He then appeared in ‘Jaal’ (1952), ‘Taxi Driver’ (1954), ‘Munimji’ (1955), ‘CID’ (1956), ‘Paying Guest’ (1957), ‘Kala Pani’ (1958), ‘Kala Bazar’ (1960), ‘Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai’ (1961), ‘Tere Ghar Ke Samne’ (1963), ‘Jewel Thief’ (1967), ‘Prem Pujari’ (1970) and many others. He also became successful as a director and producer.

Personal Life

In personal life, Actress Kalpana Kartik was the wife of this great actor. The couple had two children. Anand achieved Padma Bhushan in 2001 and special screen award for his contribution to Indian Cinema in 2001.

Dev Anand died on 3 December in 2011 in London when he was 88.