Dev Anand was a democrat, says Advani

New Delhi, Sep 25 — BJP leader L.K. Advani, once a film critic, has lauded Dev Anand for his opposition to the Emergency rule imposed by prime minister Indira Gandhi.
Speaking at the 89th birth anniversary celebrations of the late actor, director, writer and producer of Hindi movies, Advani recalled Dev Anand's political activism during the 1975-77 Emergency.
"He led a group of film personalities and stood against the internal Emergency imposed by Indra Gandhi," he said here Monday at an event jointly organised by Delhi Study Group and the Dev Anand Fans Forum.
"He actively campaigned in support of the democratic political forces in the 1977 parliamentary election," which led to the ouster of the Congress party, Advani said.
Advani also recalled that Dev Anand accompanied then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his Lahore bus trip in 1999.
Dev Anand was conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2002 on the recommendation of the Vajpayee government.
Dev Anand dedicated 65 years of his life to cinema and acted in more than 110 movies.
He started his career in the black and white era with the 1946 film "Hum Ek Hain".
As an actor, he proved his versatility with hits like "Tere Ghar Ke Samne", "Johny Mera Naam", "Jewel Thief" and "Guide". As director, he made "Prem Pujari", "Hare Rama Hare Krishna" and "Des Pardes".
Delhi Study Group's Vijay Jolly, a BJP leader, recalled his close association with Dev Anand since the late 1970s.
"To speak and see positive was a trait of Dev Anand," Jolly said.
Speaking on the occasion, Dev Anand's son Suneil Anand announced the next new movie under the banner of Navketan Films titled "Vagator Mixer".
The English language movie will be based on the theme of a beach in Goa, he said.
Suneil Anand said he will play the lead role, write its script and also direct the movie. It will be launched with a new star cast in December.

PM loses to Dev Anand in popularity poll!

One was an ace actor, director, writer and producer in Hindi cinema. The other is an economist and politician, and currently the Prime Minister of the world’s largest democracy. Dev Anand and Dr Manmohan Singh are opposites in every sense, but have one thing in common — their birthdays.
Dev was born on September 26, 1923, and Singh came along nine years later on the same day. This year will mark the 89th birth anniversary celebration of the legendary star who passed away last year, while the politician who has sported many caps — including governor of RBI, minister of finance, railways and external affairs — will celebrate his 80th birthday.
However, with the UPA II regime now crunching numbers to avoid being a minority, and the possibility of early elections around the corner, one wonders how these two men would fare if they faced off in an election to pick the next prime minister of India. Radhika Raheja, a homemaker, says, “My vote goes to Dev Anand. His rapid style of speaking and the way he used to nod his head was so endearing. With Dr Singh, we don’t really have much to work with.”
Several others too emphatically chose the deceased film star over the seasoned politician. Rishabh, a journalist, says, “I would choose Dev saab, obviously. Whether he does anything for the country or not, we’ll get a PM who delivers punch dialogues and bashes up bad guys twice his size. Now, who doesn’t want that?” Akanksha Jain, who runs a boutique, adds to this with a grin, saying, “If Dev saab wins, we’ll have a ‘deadly’ PM.”
Others stuck with Singh though, as he is the more experienced of the two, and is also an economist. “As much as I admire Dev Anand, Singh will know what’s better for the nation,” says Maliha Saman, a dentist. Experience wasn’t the only thing getting Manmohan his votes. Mani*, an RJ, said, “I’ll go with the alleged coal thief than the Jewel Thief. He might even be a far better actor than Dev Anand.”
However, a few people decided to go with the 49-O option. Some others like Shiva, said, “I’d vote for Katrina Kaif.  That old age home called Parliament could do with a bit of glamour. Last time I checked, Jaya Bachchan remains the hottest woman in the house,” he says.

Remembering Dev Saheb

 "I want to touch the clouds and feel the weather," said a bubbly Dev Anand, when I asked him why he always chose the window seat in the plane. Forever full of life, Dev Saheb was always quick and clear in his answers. His nature was an amazingly positive blend of contrasts disciplined yet adventurous, larger than life yet humble, spending lots of time with fans yet punctual. He would have turned 89 years 'young' today (September 26).

A true Punjabi, he was always ready for a little adventure. He always skipped lunch, but when he was once leaving Chandigarh at noon, a fan brought "makki di roti and sarson da saag". He abandoned his discipline and lovingly obliged him by eating two rotis.
 "Love them," he exclaimed. Childlike purity, innocence and curiosity were his hallmarks. I could see wonders in his eyes as he looked at the vast green lands, mountains and seas.
A true lover of his fans, he would go to any length to make them feel happy and at ease. Once he was scouting for locations in Gujarat for his movie, 'Mr Prime Minister', accompanied by his production team.
As the evening neared, the entourage stopped at a roadside eatery for tea. An old truck driver from Dev Saheb's village in Gurdaspur met him there. Both chatted like long-lost friends. Soon, the cars left for their hotel.
After about 20 km, the production manager said, "Dev Saheb, that truck driver paid our bill." "You should have told me then and there, I had to thank him," came the reprimand. "Now turn the cars back, I have to thank him," Dev Saheb ordered.
"But sir, it is quite late and it would mean 40 km of extra travel; moreover, the truck driver must have gone his way," the manager pleaded. "Turn around, he would be sitting there, narrating my stories," was Dev Saheb's reply.
And the cavalcade turned back. As foretold, the driver was sitting surrounded by eager listeners. Dev Saheb hugged him and thanked him. "Here is my mobile number. I owe you a cup of tea. Whenever you are in Mumbai, come and have tea with me," he told the awestruck old man.
A workaholic, I remember the long sittings with him to choose photographs for his autobiography, often extending till midnight. "Now let us have dinner," he would say only once the work was finished. "Please order some papaya for me," he would lovingly ask me as if a kid was asking for dessert.
He was a rare Bollywood legend who was held in equal reverence by Bollywood celebrities as well as fans. I remember when Abhishek Bachchan quietly sneaked into a crowd of fans surrounding Dev Saheb to touch his feet and leave unnoticed.
Stylish and suave, he loved shopping for hats, caps, scarves, mufflers, jackets, shoes and all that was beautiful. "Don't buy what I have bought," he would lovingly tease us. "As you say, Dev Saheb," we would reply, only to go back to the store afterwards and try to find another similar one to buy and keep as a remembrance.
Now, I look at all those never-used things which flood my thoughts with Dev Saheb's voices and images from around the world. I should have listened to him and moved to Mumbai to spend more time with him, as he wished.
Talking about him, I still use the present tense many a time. His movies, songs, interviews and my personal memories of many years spent with him have kept him alive in me today. The loss of his departure, though very real, has not registered yet. I may spend my entire life thinking that someday Dev Saheb will call me from London and say, "My script is finished, come over, we'll spend some great time together."