'He has given breaks to so many people'

Amit Khanna

I've been associated with Dev Anand for the last 30 years. He's a great guy. I think his contribution is perhaps the most undervalued amongst his contemporaries. For example, he has given breaks to hundreds of people.

One must also give him credit for the fact that, as a single entity, Navketan has survived for over 50 years. It is the only company worldwide which has been active for 50 years -- there is no other company anywhere in the world which has not changed hands. Look at MGM, it has been brought by six different people; only Navketan has been active and has survived for so long under one person.

I've known Devsaab for so long and he hasn't changed much. That's his strength and his weakness. He keeps to himself. I think his weakness as a director is the fact that -- in terms of story telling -- he's just not willing to change with the times. His stories may be topical and contemporary in the kernel, but the treatment he gives them is the same. That is unfortunate and I think it is also his only aberration.

Otherwise, as an actor, I'd say he fits perfectly into this line from Hollywood which says "an actor is admired and a star is loved." That epitomises his stature. He was/is the first star who was actually loved. His biggest contribution is that, when you go through the whole roster, there are several hundred people who started their career with him -- with Navketan -- which is incredible.

Amit Khanna spoke to Lata Khubchandani.

The Dev Anand slide show!


DONT MISS!

'Nothing stops me from doing what I want': - Dev Anand

'He is an institution' - Suneil Anand

'I adore him' - Jackie Shroff

'He is the only true gentleman left in our trade' - Yash Johar

'His energy is amazing!': - Jatin Lalit

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