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29 March 2024

Bollywood's 'Evergreen' legend Dev Anand dies of heart attack

Just as Bollywood recovered from the demise of veteran actor Shammi Kapoor the industry had another blow on December 3, when Dev Anand passed away in London. For his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema, he was honoured with the prestigious 'Padma Bhushan' in 2001 and 'Dada Saheb Phalke Award' in 2002. (SUPPLIED)

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The evergreen actor of Bollywood, Dev Anand, 88, passed away in London late last night following a heart attack. 

He was not keeping well lately and was in UK for medical check-up. His son Sunil was with him during his last moments.

Dev was the second of three brothers who were active in Hindi Cinema. His brothers were Chetan Anand and Vijay Anand. Their sister, Sheel Kanta Kapur, is the mother of renowned Hindi and English film director Shekhar Kapur.

For his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema, Dev Anand was honoured with the prestigious the 'Padma Bhushan' in 2001 and 'Dada Saheb Phalke Award' in 2002.

The versatile actor began his Hindi fim career with 'Hum Ek Hain' (1946). Dev was offered his first big break by Ashok Kumar who spotted Dev hanging around in the studios and picked him as the hero for the Bombay Talkies production, 'Ziddi', co-starring Kamini Kaushal (1948) which became an instant success.

In 1949, Dev turned producer and launched his own company Navketan, which till 2011 produced more than 30 films.

A rapid-fire style of dialogue delivery and a penchant for nodding while speaking became Dev's style in films like 'House No. 44', 'Pocket Maar', 'Munimji', 'Funtoosh', 'CID' and 'Paying Guest'. His style was lapped up by the audience and was widely imitated.

He starred in a string of box office successes for the remainder of the 1950s opposite newcomer Waheeda Rehman in 'CID' (1956), 'Solva Saal', 'Kala Pani', 'Kala Bazaar' and 'Baat Ek Raat Ki'.

He attempted films of tragic genre occasionally like 'Pocketmaar' (1956), 'Kala Pani' (1958), 'Bombai Ka Babu' (1960) and 'Sharabi' (1964) and tasted success in them. Dev also played a few characters with a negative shade, like in 'Jaal' (1952).

His films Rahee and Aandhiyaan, were screened along with Raj Kapoor's Awaara. From the early fifties till mid sixties, the trio of Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand ruled the roost. (With inputs from www.wikipedia.com)

Bollywood Legend in action during his heydays...