On the 102nd birth anniversary of the evergreen legend Dev Anand, veteran actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha fondly remembered the iconic star and expressed heartfelt gratitude and admiration.
Shatrughan, father of Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha, took to X (formerly Twitter) to recall one of Dev Anand’s inspiring videos, labeling it “thought-provoking” while praising the filmmaker’s timeless charm. He shared a nostalgic glimpse from their 1971 film “Gambler,” which revolves around a gambler named Raja who rises in the gambling world but faces moral dilemmas after discovering a large sum of money.
Shatrughan posted on X: “Remembering with love & fondness an extremely thought-provoking video by one of the most stylish & ever-young filmmakers #DevAnand on his birthday. ‘Pearls of Wisdom’ as he speaks of changes then, now and in the times to come.”
He added, “Inspiring! Dev Saheb I will always be grateful to you for your affection, guidance, encouragement showing me the right path & all the love & support. Gratitude! Long Live Dev Saheb!”
Dev Anand is considered one of the greatest and most successful actors in Indian cinema, with a career spanning over six decades and more than 100 films to his credit. He made his debut in 1946 with a lead role in Prabhat Films’s Hum Ek Hain, a film focused on Hindu-Muslim unity.
His first commercial breakthrough arrived with the 1948 film Ziddi, but it was the 1951 crime thriller Baazi that catapulted him to fame, being regarded as a precursor to the “Bombay Noir” trend in Hindi cinema during the 1950s.
From the 1950s to the 1970s, Dev Anand delivered several hits, including Jaal, Taxi Driver, Insaniyat, C.I.D., Paying Guest, Kala Pani, Kala Bazar, Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai, Hum Dono, Asli-Naqli, Tere Ghar Ke Samne, Guide, Jewel Thief, Johny Mera Naam, and Hare Rama Hare Krishna.
In the 1970s and 1980s, films such as Amir Garib, Warrant, Jaaneman, Darling Darling, Des Pardes, Swami Dada, and Lashkar kept him relevant amidst the rise of other stars.
Dev Anand’s most acclaimed works include Munimji, Funtoosh, Baarish, Nau Do Gyarah, Solva Saal, Teen Devian, Prem Pujari, Tere Mere Sapne, and Heera Panna. His journey came to a close with the 2011 film Chargesheet, which he also directed.
Dev Anand passed away in his hotel room in London at the age of 88 on December 3, 2011, due to cardiac arrest. His death occurred just two months after the release of his final film, Chargesheet, which he directed and produced.