On his birth anniversary, my perennial tale of close encounters with Dev Anand: conversations on the most fabulous women in Hindi cinema, essentials of stardom and learning to catch the best light
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Mohan and others have given very apt comments. This is the best article I have read about Dev saab.
I had the good fortune to meet him in Imperial hotel in New Delhi in 1970, when I was assigned at early stage of my civil service career. I was invited by him for dinner, through a close friend and mentor. I asked for a friend and colleague mine to be invited to accompany me just to ensure that he would present as witness to our conversation and also to increase my confidence in not only coming face to face with a ‘ star’ , but engage in conversation with him for a whole evening. When we were escorted to his room , and was introduced to him he immediately made us feel at home. I noticed his reputed charm and manner of speaking. But he was relaxed and dressed casually in shirt and pant. Though middle-aged he looked quite young , with the changed hairstyle he had adopted. Yes, he did offer us the Black label. But if I recall he did not have it himself, perhaps because he was to leave early morning for Agra . That’s why we also did not prolong the evening with discussions going on one topic or another and specially questions by us to satisfy our natural curiosity as we were in the presence of one of the top stars of the Indian cinema, a legend and heart throb with huge female fan following. And also aped by huge number of young men for his hairstyle, acting manner and style.
Beautiful narrative on the legendary Devanand, offering a ring-side view of the persona and reminisces of times together. He is truly the eternal romantic of Indian cinema.
Mohan and others have given very apt comments. This is the best article I have read about Dev saab.
I had the good fortune to meet him in Imperial hotel in New Delhi in 1970, when I was assigned at early stage of my civil service career. I was invited by him for dinner, through a close friend and mentor. I asked for a friend and colleague mine to be invited to accompany me just to ensure that he would present as witness to our conversation and also to increase my confidence in not only coming face to face with a ‘ star’ , but engage in conversation with him for a whole evening. When we were escorted to his room , and was introduced to him he immediately made us feel at home. I noticed his reputed charm and manner of speaking. But he was relaxed and dressed casually in shirt and pant. Though middle-aged he looked quite young , with the changed hairstyle he had adopted. Yes, he did offer us the Black label. But if I recall he did not have it himself, perhaps because he was to leave early morning for Agra . That’s why we also did not prolong the evening with discussions going on one topic or another and specially questions by us to satisfy our natural curiosity as we were in the presence of one of the top stars of the Indian cinema, a legend and heart throb with huge female fan following. And also aped by huge number of young men for his hairstyle, acting manner and style.
After a long time a piece from you what we longed for – – had me engrossed somehow no proper wor word in my thesaurus to express how I felt reading it
Thank you Shekhar for a lovely article
He personified ‘living in the moment’
Beautiful narrative on the legendary Devanand, offering a ring-side view of the persona and reminisces of times together. He is truly the eternal romantic of Indian cinema.
Though grossly under rated,dev maintained a poise and elegance which very few can match..a leading man throughout…
Dev Saab an ageless saint. Thanks Shekhar ji for share rare information about Dev Saab. A man always be in present is one n only Dev saab.
This article seems to be written from his heart. Excellent article, Shekhar. Loved reading it.
Yes