Few can boast of a spirit like Dev Anand's. Right from his debut in Hum Ek Hain (1946) to his last release Chargesheet (2011), his romance with the silver screen retained its enthusiasm.
The actor/filmmaker's tremendous dedication to his art coupled with a zest for life and all it has to offer, throughout his lifetime, earned him the befitting title of evergreen. In a career spanning more than five decades, Dev Saab redefined the industry with his brand of intellect, sensibility and style.
His effortless good looks, often likened to Hollywood's Gregory Peck, combined with a charisma and characteristics that were his and his alone and a stockpile of Sachin Dev and Rahul Dev Burman's timeless melodies proved to be an unbeatable recipe for success.
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Taking in various genres like crime, drama, thriller, comedy, social-themes, with films like CID, Tere Ghar Ke Saamne, Guide, Johny Mera Naam, Jewel Thief and Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Devsaab engaged the audience with his versatile choice of subjects.
Over the years, he garnered respect and awe for his fearless commitment towards telling a story, irrespective of its commercial outcome.
And as painful it is to bear the news of his demise, truth is superstars like Dev Anand do not die. They continue to live on forever -- through those very scenes, songs and sights they strive to create. Here's a tribute to the legend's evergreen spirit through some of the most significant gems of his illustrious career.
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Ziddi (1948)
Handpicked by Ashok Kumar, an actor he hugely admired, Dev Anand's career got a much-needed breakthrough when he was signed up for Ziddi opposite Kamini Kaushal.
The breezy romance, based on a story by Ismat Chugtai, turned out to be a hit and Dev Anand embarked on the path of stardom in a way he had only imagined and we can only be thankful for.
The breezy romance, based on a story by Ismat Chugtai, turned out to be a hit and Dev Anand embarked on the path of stardom in a way he had only imagined and we can only be thankful for.
Memorable songs: Yeh kaun aaya re, Chanda re, Jadoo kar gaye.
Baazi (1951)
When good friend Guru Dutt decided to turn director, Dev Anand stepped in to produce and play the lead in this noir classic about a gambler caught in a web of deceit and murder.
Other than introducing him to future wife, Kalpana Karthik, Baazi proved to be a game changer, encouraging writers to craft bolder shades of human characters. The Dutt-Dev combo reunited for another outing, Jaal.
Other than introducing him to future wife, Kalpana Karthik, Baazi proved to be a game changer, encouraging writers to craft bolder shades of human characters. The Dutt-Dev combo reunited for another outing, Jaal.
Memorable songs: Tadbeer se bigdi hui taqdeer bana le
CID (1956)
With CID, it was Guru Dutt's turn to produce even as Dev Anand delivered a nuanced performance of a cop trying to uncover the true face behind the underworld nexus.
It also marked the beginning of Waheeda Rehman's wonderful journey into films. Even after so many years, CID continues to be a prime instance of deft filmmaking.
It also marked the beginning of Waheeda Rehman's wonderful journey into films. Even after so many years, CID continues to be a prime instance of deft filmmaking.
Memorable songs: Aankhon hi aankhon mein, Aye dil hai mushkil jeena yahan, Jaata kahan hai deewane, Kahin pe nigahen, Leke pehla pehla pyaar.
Paying Guest (1957)
A series of comic events ensue after a handsome young man is forced to dress up as an elderly guy to rent accommodation in a bachelor-wary household.
Dev Anand's impeccable timing at conjuring wit and sparkling chemistry with co-star Nutan makes this Subodh Mukerjee rom-com an enduring classic of its genre.
Dev Anand's impeccable timing at conjuring wit and sparkling chemistry with co-star Nutan makes this Subodh Mukerjee rom-com an enduring classic of its genre.
Memorable songs: Chod do aanchal, Mana janab ne pukara nahin, Haye haye yeh nigahen, O nigahen mastana, Chand phir nikla.
Nau Do Gyarah (1957)
What happens when a potential heir and a runaway bride bump into each other in the middle of the road? It is around this fun premise, director Vijay Anand demonstrates his skills behind the camera while his star brother Dev Anand romances wife Kalpana Karthik to provide some frothy entertainment in Nau Do Gyarah.
Memorable songs: Hum hain rahi pyaar ke, Aankhon mein kya ji
Kala Pani (1958)
A single man's quest to release his father from an unfair sentence with some help from a conscientious journalist forms the crux of Kala Pani's plot. What makes it all the more appealing is it stars two of Hindi cinema's most gorgeous and grand stars -- Dev Anand and Madhubala -- opposite each other.
Memorable songs: Hum bekhudi mein tumko, Acha ji main haari, Nazar lagi raja tore bangle par.
Kala Baazar (1960)
The one where all Anand brothers -- Dev, Chetan, Vijay -- come together while Waheeda Rehman portrays the ethereal bone of contention.
But it's Dev Anand's turn as a flourishing black-marketer trying to turn new leaf in a bid to win Rehman's affections that catch our eye most.
But it's Dev Anand's turn as a flourishing black-marketer trying to turn new leaf in a bid to win Rehman's affections that catch our eye most.
Not to forget a star-studded special appearance sequence marked by the presence of heavyweights like Dilip Kumar, Raaj Kumar, Rajendra Kumar, Kishore Kumar and Nargis.
Memorable songs: Khoya khoya chand, Rimjhim ke tarane leke, Sach hue sapne tere,
Hum Dono (1963)
Dev Anand's most memorable double role was so good, it was re-released in colour earlier this year. His crisp performance and furious dialogue delivery won him awards and accolades.
As a man caught in a strange dilemma because of his resemblance to another -- physical and professional -- leads to awkwardness and upheavals between the woman he respects and the woman he loves.
As a man caught in a strange dilemma because of his resemblance to another -- physical and professional -- leads to awkwardness and upheavals between the woman he respects and the woman he loves.
Memorable songs: Main zindagi ka saath nibhata, Abhi na jao chodke, Allah tero naam
Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963)
One gets yet another glimpse of the magical on screen duo -- Dev Anand-Nutan in Vijay Anand's droll romance about two warring fathers and their kids caught in between.
What makes this witty banter even more stand out is a supporting cast of skilful actors led by Om Prakash and Harindranath Chattopadhyaya.
What makes this witty banter even more stand out is a supporting cast of skilful actors led by Om Prakash and Harindranath Chattopadhyaya.
Memorable songs: Tere ghar ke samne, Dil ka bhanwar, Dekho rootha na karo, Sun le tu dil ki sada, Tu kahan yeh bata.
Teen Devian (1965)
This delightful musical romance revolves around a winsome guy, his inability to say 'no' and how it lands him in a spot with three pretty but clearly dissimilar women.
Ultimately, he does realise his folly and picks the right one. Dev Anand is at his flirtatious best around Nanda, Simi Garewal and Kalpana in this lively pageant of May-the-best-girl-win.
Memorable songs: Arre yaar meri tum bhi ho ghazab, Aise to na dekho, Khwab ho tum ya koi haqeeqat, Likha hai teri aankhon mein
Guide (1965)
Mai aatma Hoon, amar Hoon!' By Dev Anand's own admission in the celebrated Guide, the man is truly immortal. In this critically-acclaimed reworking of R K Narayan's novel by Vijay Anand, both Waheeda Rehman and Dev Saab play significantly solid characters that bloom, wear, tear, evolve and accomplish with every passing chapter of the story.
Guide, by all means, is a landmark in vision and realisation in the realm of filmmaking and one of Dev Anand's career best performances if not THE best.
Guide, by all means, is a landmark in vision and realisation in the realm of filmmaking and one of Dev Anand's career best performances if not THE best.
Memorable songs: Wahan kaun hai tera, Aaj phir jeene ki tamanna, Gaata rahe mera dil, Tere mere sapne, Kya se kya ho gaya, Din dhal jaaye.
Jewel Thief (1967)
Very few films have been able to hold the audience by the edge of their seat in the manner Jewel Thief did. As witnessed again and again, some of Dev Anand's best works happened in collaboration with his younger brother, Vijay aka Goldie.
Jewel Thief, with its grand production values, rich detailing and incisive screenplay, puts forth a magnificent thriller around ambiguous identities, glamorous women (Vyjyanthimala, Tanuja) and, of course, bling-thirsty thieves.
A must-watch in every Dev Anand fan's recommendation list.
Jewel Thief, with its grand production values, rich detailing and incisive screenplay, puts forth a magnificent thriller around ambiguous identities, glamorous women (Vyjyanthimala, Tanuja) and, of course, bling-thirsty thieves.
A must-watch in every Dev Anand fan's recommendation list.
Memorable songs: Yeh dil na hota bechara, Raat akeli, Aasman ke neeche, Hothon pe aisi baat, Dil pukare aare.
Johny Mera Naam (1970)
Realising Dev Anand's potential and charisma like nobody else, Vijay Anand brewed up another one of his specialties in this sleek, stylish crime caper about two long-lost brothers on different sides of the law.
Brilliant on every count, Johny Mera Naam has inspired many a filmmakers, including Sriram Raghavan's snazzy Johnny Gaddar.
It would be blasphemous not to mention his dazzling on-screen chemistry with dream girl Hema Malini. Again, compulsive viewing.
Brilliant on every count, Johny Mera Naam has inspired many a filmmakers, including Sriram Raghavan's snazzy Johnny Gaddar.
It would be blasphemous not to mention his dazzling on-screen chemistry with dream girl Hema Malini. Again, compulsive viewing.
Memorable songs: Palbhar ke liye, O mere raja, Nafrat karne walon, Husn ke lakhon rang.
Tere Mere Sapne (1971)
Loosely inspired by A J Cronin's The Citadel, Tere Mere Sapne is a poignant tale of ambitions and sacrifices of a capable doctor and his devoted wife.
Though the drama boasts of some superlative performances by Dev Anand, Mumtaz and Hema Malini and persuasive moments, Tere Mere Sapne continues to be one of his most underrated works.
Though the drama boasts of some superlative performances by Dev Anand, Mumtaz and Hema Malini and persuasive moments, Tere Mere Sapne continues to be one of his most underrated works.
Memorable songs: Hey maine kasam li, Jaise radha ne mala japi, Jeevan ki bagiya, Ta thai tat thai.
Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971)
In 1970, he made his first film as director. Despite all the elements to entertain, Prem Pujari failed to capture the box office. The next year he was back behind the camera with the cult hit, Hare Rama Hare Krishna.
Its success led by RD's sensational title song brought the focus on the hippie culture dominating the seventies highlighting Dev Anand's flair to gauge changing trends and relevant issues.
Not to forget an eye for talent, considering his super sensuous discovery, Zeenat Aman.
Its success led by RD's sensational title song brought the focus on the hippie culture dominating the seventies highlighting Dev Anand's flair to gauge changing trends and relevant issues.
Not to forget an eye for talent, considering his super sensuous discovery, Zeenat Aman.
Memorable songs: Phoolon ka taaron ka, Dum maaro dum, I love you, Kanchi re.
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