Dev was born Devdutt Pishorimal Anand in Gurdaspur in undivided Punjab to a well-to-do advocate, Pishorimal Anand. He graduated in English literature from the Government College, Lahore (now in Pakistan). His love for acting made him leave his hometown for the centre of the Hindi film industry, Mumbai. Dev began his career in the military censor office at Churchgate, Mumbai, for a salary of Rs. 160.

He was soon offered a break as an actor by Prabhat Talkies to star in their Hum Ek Hain (1946). While shooting for the film in Pune, Dev struck a friendship with fellow actor Guru Dutt. Soon, they were swapping shirts, double dating and sharing dreams. They made a pact: if Dev produced a film, Guru Dutt would direct it; if Guru Dutt produced a film, Dev would act in it.

Dev was offered his first big break by Ashok Kumar, his favourite star. Kumar spotted Dev hanging around in the studios and picked him as the hero for the Bombay Talkies production, Ziddi, costarring Kamini Kaushal (1948) which became a success.

In 1949, he turned producer and launched his own company Navketan, which continues to churn out movies. Though his maiden attempt at direction, Prem Pujari, flopped, his second directorial effort Hare Rama Hare Krishna in 1971 with Zeenat Aman was a big success.

As promised, Dev gambled on Guru Dutt as director for the crime thriller, Baazi (1951). The dice rolled in favour of this creative collaboration; the Sahir Ludhianvi, lyricist song, Tadbeer se bigdi huyee taqdeer bana de, proved prophetic and Dev became a true star.

He also played a few characters with a negative shade, like in Jaal (1952). His films Rahee and Aandhiyan, were screened there along with Raj Kapoor’s Awaara. In the same year, Taxi Driver was declared a hit. Dev’s heroine was Kalpana Kartik again, and the two decided to marry in a quiet ceremony.

Marriage and the birth of son Suneil in 1956 did not affect Dev’s career. A rapid-fire style of dialogue delivery, an array of hats (see for example Aye meri topi palat ke aa), and a penchant for nodding while speaking became Dev’s style in films like Munimji, 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.

Despite his characteristic style, Dev’s detractors cast aspersions on his acting abilities and questioned his inclusion in the hallowed Raj Kapoor-Dilip Kumar league. Dev made them eat humble pie with his class act in Kala Pani (1958), as the son who is willing to go to any lengths ? including sweet-talking a courtesan into believing he is in love with her ? to clear his framed father’s name. He won the Best Actor Award for the film.

He was romantically involved with singer-actress Suraiya and the two of them paired in six films together. During the shooting of a song sequence in the file, a boat capsized and Dev Anand saved Suraiya from drowning. She fell in love with him but her grandmother opposed the relationship. Suraiya remained unmarried all her life.

His first film in colour, Guide with Waheeda Rehman was based on the novel of the same name by R. K. Narayan. The impetus for making a film from the book came from Dev Anand himself, and he met and persuaded Narayan to give his assent to the project. Dev Anand tapped his friends in Hollywood to lauch an Indo-US co-production that was shot in Hindi and English simultaneously and was released in 1965. This is regarded by many as his best work to-date.

Guide, directed by younger brother Vijay Anand, silenced the staunchest of critics. Dev played Raju, a voluble guide who supports Rosy (Waheeda) in her bid for freedom; but is not above thoughtlessly exploiting her for personal gains. Combining style with substance, Dev gave an affecting performance as a man grappling with his emotions in his passage through love, shame and salvation.

Guide was Dev’s creative acme. He reunited with Vijay Anand for the much-hyped Jewel Thief, featuring a bevy of beauties led by Vyjayanthimala and including Tanuja, Anju Mahendru, Faryal and Helen.

Their next collaboration, Johnny Mera Naam (1970) was a big hit. The film was released in the same year as Raj Kapoor’s magnum ‘flopus’ Mera Naam Joker (it was a commercial failure). Unlike Raj and Dilip who slowed down in the Seventies, Dev continued to be a romantic hero.

His maiden attempt at direction, the espionage drama, Prem Pujari flopped, but Dev got lucky with his sophomore directorial effort Hare Rama Hare Krishna. It talked about the prevalent hippie cult. Zeenat Aman, who played the mini-skirt sporting, pot-smoking protagonist Janice, became an overnight sensation. Dev also became known as a filmmaker of trenchantly topical themes.

The presence of his discoveries the zestful Zeenat and later, the elfin Tina Munim (heroine of Dev’s last recognised hit Des Pardes in 1978) fuelled Dev’s image as the evergreen star even when he was well into his fifties.

Dev Anand is one of those few Indian actors/filmmakers who are politically aware and active and are ready to stand up for the cause that is dear to them. He was the one who led a group of film personalities who stood up against the Internal Emergency imposed by the then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. He actively campaigned against her with his supporters in [Indian parliamentary elections in 1977 while very few among the film fraternity showed the courage to fight against the authoritarian regime.

Most of his films are an expression of his world view and have dealt with socially relevant subjects. He always emphasises this in his interviews. He thinks that his films represent his personal points of view.

Dev Anand’s films are best known for their great music. Some of the most popular Bollywood songs were from his films. His association with music composers O. P. Nayyar, Sachin Dev Burman and his son Rahul Dev Burman, lyricists Majrooh Sultanpuri, Neeraj, Shailendra, and playback singers Mohammad Rafi and Kishore Kumar produced some very popular songs.

National honours and recognitions Received By Dev Anand

1995 – Star Screen Lifetime Achievement Award
1997 – Mumbai Academy of Moving Images Award for his Outstanding Services to the Indian Film Industry
1998 – Lifetime Achievement Award by the Ujala Anandlok Film Awards Committee in Calcutta
1999 – Sansui Lifetime Achievement Award for his “Immense Contribution to Indian Cinema” in New Delhi
2000 – Film Goers’ Mega Movie Maestro of the Millennium Award in Mumbai
2001 – Special Screen Award for his contribution to Indian cinema
2001 – Evergreen Star of the Millennium Award at the Zee Gold Bollywood Awards on 28 April 2001 at the Nassau Coliseum, New York
2003 – Lifetime Achievement Award for “Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema” at IIFA Award in Johannesburg, South Africa
2004 – Legend of Indian Cinema Award at Atlantic City (United States
2004 – Living Legend Award by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in recognition of his contribution to the Indian entertainment industry
2005 – Sony Gold Award
2006 – ANR National Award by the Akkineni International Foundation
2006 – Glory of India Award by IIAF, London
2007 – Punjab Ratan (Jewel of Punjab) Award by the World Punjabi Organisation (European Division) for his outstanding contribution in the field of art and entertainment.
2008 – Lifetime Achievement Award by Ramya Cultural Academy in association with Vnmusiclub
2008 – Lifetime Achievement Award by Rotary Club of Bombay
2008 – Awarded at the IIJS Solitaire Awards
2009 – Outstanding contribution to Indian cinema at the Max Stardust Awards
2009 – Legend Award given to Dev Anand by Rajinikanth
2010 – Phalke Ratna Award by Dadasaheb Phalke Academy
2010 – Rashtriya Gaurav Award
2011 – Rashtriya Kishore Kumar Samman from the Government of Madhya Pradesh
2011 – NDTV Indian of the Year’s Lifetime Achievement Award with Rahul Dravid Lifetime Achievement Maestro Award by the Whistling Woods International Institute.
2013 – To honour him, a brass statue in his likeness was unveiled at Walk of the Stars at Bandra Bandstand in Mumbai in February 2013.
2013 – On the occasion of 100 years of the Indian cinema, a postage stamp bearing his likeness was released by India Post to honour him on 3 May 2013.

Movies done By Dev Anand

Hum Ek Hain 1946 Yes Shankar P. L. Santoshi Debut Film
Mohan 1947 Yes Anadinath Bannerjee
Aage Badho 1947 Yes Uday Yeshwant Pithka
Ziddi 1948 Yes Shaheed Latif
Vidya 1948 Yes Chandrashekhar Girish Trivedi
Hum Bhi Insaan Hain 1948 Yes Phani Majumdar
Udhaar 1949 Yes S. S. Kulkarni
Shair 1949 Yes Deepak Chawla
Jeet 1949 Yes Vijay Mohan Sinha
Nirala 1950 Yes Dr. Anand Devendra Mukherjee
Nili 1950 Yes Ratibhai Punatar
Madhubala 1950 Yes Prahlad Dutt
Khel 1950 Yes S. M. Nawab
Birha Ki Raat 1950 Yes Gajanan Jagirdar
Dilruba 1950 Yes Ratan Dwarka Khosla
Hindustan Hamara 1950 Yes Paul Zils
Afsar 1950 Yes Yes Kapur Chetan Anand
Stage 1951 Yes Vijay Mhatre
Sazaa 1951 Yes Ashok Fali Mistry
Sanam 1951 Yes Nandlal Jaswantlal
Nadaan 1951 Yes Hira Singh
Do Sitare 1951 Yes D.D. Kashyap
Baazi 1951 Yes Yes Madan Guru Dutt
Aaram 1951 Yes Shyam D.D. Kashyap
Aandhiyan 1952 Yes Ram Mohan Chetan Anand
Rahi 1952 Yes Ramesh Khwaja Ahmad Abbas
Jaal 1952 Yes Tony Fernandes Guru Dutt
Tamasha 1952 Yes Dilip Phani Majumdar
Zalzala 1952 Yes Paul Zils
Armaan 1953 Yes Fali Mistry
Humsafar 1953 Yes Yes Veer A. N. Bannerjee
Patita 1953 Yes Nirmal Chander Amiya Chakravarty
Taxi Driver 1954 Yes Mangal Chetan Anand
Baadbaan 1954 Yes Naren Phani Majumdar
Kashti 1954 Yes Hemen Gupta
Milap 1955 Yes Rajendra Sayal Raj Khosla
Munimji 1955 Yes Amar / Raj Subodh Mukherjee
Insaniyat 1955 Yes Bhanupratap S. S. Vasan
House No. 44 1955 Yes Yes Ashok M. K. Burman
Faraar 1955 Yes Gora Phani Majumdar
Pocket Maar 1956 Yes Roshan H. S. Rawail
Funtoosh 1956 Yes Yes Ram Lal (Funtoosh) Chetan Anand
C.I.D. 1956 Yes C.I.D. Inspector Shekhar Raj Khosla
Nau Do Gyarah 1957 Yes Madan Gopal Vijay Anand
Paying Guest 1957 Yes Ramesh Subodh Mukherjee
Dushman 1957 Yes Ram Singh Raja Rishi
Baarish 1957 Yes Ramu Shankar Mukherjee
Solva Saal 1958 Yes Pran Nath Kashyap Raj Khosla
Kala Pani 1958 Yes Yes Karan Raj Khosla
Amar Deep 1958 Yes Ashok Tatineni Prakash Rao
Love Marriage 1959 Yes Sunil Kumar (Sonu) Subodh Mukherjee
Manzil 1960 Yes Raj Kumar Mehra Mandi Burman
Kala Bazar 1960 Yes Yes Raghuvir Vijay Anand
Sarhad 1960 Yes Amar Shankar Mukherjee
Jaali Note 1960 Yes C.I.D. Inspector Dinesh / Abdul Rashid / Prince Vijay Shakti Samanta
Ek Ke Baad Ek 1960 Yes Prakash Raj Rishi
Bombai Ka Babu 1960 Yes Babu / Kundan Raj Khosla
Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja 1961 Yes Chhagan H. S. Rawail
Maya 1961 Yes Manmohan / Shyam D.D. Kashyap
Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai 1961 Yes Sunder Nasir Hussain
Hum Dono 1961 Yes Yes Mahesh Anand / Manoharlal Verma Amarjeet Dual Role
Baat Ek Raat Ki 1962 Yes Rajesh Shankar Mukherjee
Asli-Naqli 1962 Yes Anand Hrishikesh Mukherjee
Tere Ghar Ke Samne 1963 Yes Yes Rakesh Kumar Vijay Anand
Kinare Kinare 1963 Yes Kamal Chetan Anand
Sharabi 1964 Yes Keshav Raj Rishi
Teen Devian 1965 Yes Dev Dutt Amarjeet
Guide 1965 Yes Yes Raju Vijay Anand
Pyar Mohabbat 1966 Yes Naresh Singh Shankar Mukherjee
Jewel Thief 1967 Yes Yes Vinay / Amar Vijay Anand
Kahin Aur Chal 1968 Yes Shail Vijay Anand
Duniya 1968 Yes Amar Tatineni Prakash Rao
Mahal 1969 Yes Rajesh Dikshit Shankar Mukherjee
The Evil Within 1970 Yes Dev Varma Lamberto V. Avellana
Prem Pujari 1970 Yes Yes Yes Ramdev Bakshi Dev Anand
Johny Mera Naam 1970 Yes Sohan / Johny Vijay Anand
Gambler 1971 Yes Raja Amarjeet
Tere Mere Sapne 1971 Yes Yes Dr. Anand Kumar Vijay Anand
Hare Rama Hare Krishna 1971 Yes Yes Prashant Dev Anand
Yeh Gulistan Hamara 1972 Yes Vijay Atma Ram
Shareef Budmaash 1973 Yes Yes Inspector Ramesh / Sastram Raj Khosla
Heera Panna 1973 Yes Yes Heera Bhandari Dev Anand
Banarasi Babu 1973 Yes Sohan Lal / Mohan Shankar Mukherjee Dual Role
Chhupa Rustam 1973 Yes Ashwini Kumar / Natwarlal / Chhupa Rustam Vijay Anand
Joshila 1973 Yes Amar Yash Chopra
Prem Shastra 1974 Yes Sagar Sharma B. R. Ishara
Ishk Ishk Ishk 1974 Yes Yes Dhun Dev Anand
Amir Garib 1974 Yes Manmohan (Moni) / Bagula Bhagat Mohan Kumar
Warrant 1975 Yes Arun Mehra Pramod Chakravorty
Jaaneman 1976 Yes Yes Roni Chetan Anand
Bullet 1976 Yes Inspector Dharam Dev Vijay Anand
Kalabaaz 1977 Yes Vijay Ashok Roy
Darling Darling 1977 Yes Kumar Kumar
Sahib Bahadur 1977 Yes Prem Pratap
Des Pardes 1978 Yes Yes Yes Veer Dev Anand
Lootmaar 1980 Yes Yes Bhagat Dev Anand
Man Pasand 1980 Yes Pratap Basu Chatterjee
Swami Dada 1982 Yes Yes Harimohan / Swami Dada Dev Anand
Anand Aur Anand 1984 Yes Yes Arun Anand Dev Anand
Hum Naujawan 1985 Yes Yes Yes Professor Hans Dev Anand
Sachché Ká Bol-Bálá 1989 Yes Yes Yes Editor Karan Kaul Dev Anand
Lashkar 1989 Yes Professor Anand Jagdish Kadar
Awwal Number 1990 Yes Yes Yes D.I.G. Vikram Singh Dev Anand
Sau Crore 1991 Yes Yes Yes C.B.I. Inspector Kumar Dev Anand
Pyaar Ka Tarana 1993 Yes Yes Dev Anand Only Producer & Director
Gangster 1994 Yes Yes Yes Father Pereira Dev Anand
Return of Jewel Thief 1996 Yes Vinay, Amar Ashok Tyagi
Main Solah Baras Ki 1998 Yes Yes Himself Dev Anand Special appearance
Censor 2001 Yes Yes Yes Vikramjeet Dev Anand
Love at Times Square 2003 Yes Yes Yes Shaan Dev Anand
Mr Prime Minister 2005 Yes Yes Yes Prem Batra (Johnny Master) Dev Anand
Chargesheet 2011 Yes Yes Yes Gambhir Singh Dev Anand Last Film