Dharm Dev Anand Essay Example

a production by Bombay Talkies that also starred Kamini Kaushal. Ziddi marked Dev's first triumph in the industry. In 1949, he became a producer and established Navketan - his own production company that has been continuously producing movies over the years.

Despite the failure of his first directorial attempt, Prem Pujari, Dev's second film as a director in the 1970s, Hare Rama Hare Krishna, starring Zeenat Aman, turned out to be a major success. This marked a turning point in Dev's career. He was able to buy his first car, a black Hillman, and fulfill his dream of working with his teenage idol, actress Snehprabha Pradhan. Dev kept his promise and took a risk by choosing Guru Dutt as the director for the crime thriller Baazi (1951). This decision proved to be beneficial as their collaboration resulted in the popular Sahir (Ludhianvi, lyricist) song "Tadbeer se bigdi huyee taqdeer bana de," which foreshadowed Dev's rise to stardom.

It also solidified his image as an urban cowboy with ample intelligence. During this period, Dev was attracted to roles that had shades of gray and films with a noirish flavor, such as Jaal (1952). He portrayed a gambler, a smuggler, and a black marketeer. The year 1954 was significant as Dev was among the earliest Indian stars to visit Russia. His movies, Rahee and Aandhiyan, were screened there along with Raj Kapoor's Awaara. Additionally, in the same year, Taxi Driver was hailed as a success. Kalpana was Dev's co-star in this film! Dev's popularity was not affected by his marriage and the birth of his son Suneil in 1956.

Dev's unique style of dialogue delivery, various hat

choices (who can forget "Aye meri topi palat ke aa?"), and nodding while speaking became his trademark in films like MunimJi, CID, and Paying Guest. The audience loved his style and it was widely imitated. He continued to have a string of successful films in the 1950s, including MunimJi, CID, Paying Guest, Gambler, Tere Ghar ke Saamne, and Kaala Pan'. Despite his style, some criticized Dev's acting abilities and questioned his place among the revered Raj Kapoor-Dilip Kumar league.

In Kala Pani (1958), Dev emerged as a class act, impressing everyone with his portrayal of a devoted son who would go to great lengths to clear his father's name, even if it meant sweet-talking a courtesan into believing he was in love with her. This performance earned him the Best Actor Award. He had a romantic relationship with singer-actress Suraiya and together they starred in six films. During the shooting of a song, a boat accident occurred, but Dev Anand came to Suraiya's rescue and saved her from drowning. Despite Suraiya falling in love with him, her grandmother opposed their relationship.

Suraiya remained unmarried. In 1954, Dev Anand wedded Kalpana Kartik, a film actress. His initial colored film was Guide, featuring Waheeda Rehman and adapted from R. K. Narayan's novel of the same title. It was Dev Anand himself who conceived the idea of creating a movie based on the book and he successfully persuaded Narayan to grant approval for the project. To launch a collaborative Indo-IJS production that was shot in both Hindi and English, Dev Anand enlisted his Hollywood friends' assistance; it eventually premiered in 1965. Many still consider this work as

his finest.

In Hum Dono (1961), Dev played an interesting double role where he portrayed a mustachioed major and his clean-shaven doppelganger. His performance in Guide (1965), directed by his younger brother Vijay Anand, impressed even the harshest critics. In the film, Dev portrayed Raju, a talkative guide who helps Rosy (played by Waheeda) in her quest for freedom. However, he also selfishly takes advantage of her without thinking about the consequences. With a combination of style and substance, Dev delivered a powerful performance as a man struggling with his feelings while experiencing love, shame, and redemption. Guide was considered Dev's most accomplished work.

Reuniting with Vijay Anand, Dev worked on the much-awaited film Jewel Thief, which showcased several beautiful actresses such as Wayanthimala, Tanuja, Anju Mahendru, Faryal, and Helen. Released in the same year as Raj Kapoor's Mera Naam Joker, the film was a huge success. While Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar's careers slowed down in the 1970s, Dev remained a popular romantic hero. Dev's first directorial venture, the espionage drama Prem Pujari, failed at the box office. However, his second directorial effort Hare Rama Hare Krishna became a hit and explored the emerging hippie culture.

Zeenat Aman, who portrayed the main character Janice that always carried mints and smoked marijuana, swiftly rose to fame. Dev, on the other hand, also gained recognition as a filmmaker who focused on thought-provoking themes. The presence of his discoveries, the lively Zeenat and later the petite Tina Munim (the heroine of Dev's last successful film Des Pardes in 1978), sustained Dev's image as a timeless star despite being in his fifties. However, for the past twenty years,

success has eluded Dev like a displeased lover. Nonetheless, even at the age of 83, Dev's enthusiasm remains high as he excitedly proclaims, "Keep an eye out for my upcoming project, Love At Time Square."

Dev is a member of the rare race that believes in the principle of "Never say never." He is one of the few Indian film actors/filmmakers who possess political awareness and engagement, and are willing to advocate for causes close to their hearts. Dev was at the forefront of a group of film personalities who opposed the imposition of the Internal Emergency by then Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi. He actively campaigned against her alongside his supporters during the 1977 parliamentary elections in India, while only a handful of individuals in the film industry displayed the courage to oppose an authoritarian regime.