Dev Anand

Dev Anand is the Only Lead Actor in the World whose career has spanned 8 decades--1940s to 2011.

Dev was one of four brothers of a lawyer in India. He went to Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1943 after graduating from the Government College in Lahore, India with a degree in English.

Also, as head of his film production company Navketan International Films, which was founded in 1949, Anand has introduced a multitude of talent to the Indian Film Industry by way of actors, directors, music composers and cinematographers. Today, he continues to introduce new talent to cinema and experiment with new ideas for movies. And today, he also heads one of the finest Film Sound Post-Production facilities in India - Anand Recording Studios - which has to its credit more than 3,000 Indian feature films that have been mixed/ surround mixed for worldwide release.

Starred in Anand Pal's shelved film "Pilot"(1956). Starring Dev Anand ,Namita Sinha.

Dev Anand was highest paid Hindi actor from 1957-1964 and and the 2nd highest paid Hindi actor from 1965-1975.

Anand has won two Filmfare Awards - India's equivalent of the Oscars - in 1958 for his performance in the film "Kala Paani" (Black Water) and in 1966 for his performance in Navketan International Films' "Guide". "Guide" went on to win Filmfare Awards in five other categories including 'Best Film' and 'Best Director' and was sent as India's entry for the Oscars in the foreign film category that year. He co-produced the English Version of "Guide" with the Nobel Laureate Pearl S. Buck ("The Good Earth"). Eventually, his creative sensibilities got the better of him and he started writing and directing his own movies.

Dev Anand's first duplicate who was his look a like was Sev Anand. Sev has acted in Parivar (1968) and Om Shanti Om.

Starred in the shelved film Mushir Riaz's "Tijori "(1977). Starring Dev Anand, Music by Laxmikant Pyarelal. Directed by Raj Khosla.

Amit Khanna was producing a film titled " Naya Johnny " in 1979. Starring Dev Anand, Shammi Kapoor (Replaced Sanjeev Kumar) Hema Malini (Later replaced by Salma Agha),Tina Munium,Sajid Khan, Kaajal Kiran, Gautam Sarin,Amjad Khan, Om Shivpuri, Girish Karnad.Music by Bappi Lahiri, Directed by Surindra Suri. The film got endlessly delayed. Hema Malini opted out. Sanjeev Kumar also followed due to health issues. The director also left the film. Dev Anand stepped in and decided to produce the film with Amit Khanna now in the director's chair. Hema Malini 's role went to Salma Agha in 1981. There were reports that Salma Agha had recorded all the songs in her voice. The film was eventually shelved .

Starred in the shelved film Navketan "Hum Teeno" (1980/1981) Starring Dev Anand , Hema Malini, Suneil Anand, Raj Babbar,Directed by Gogi Anand. This was to be Suneil's debut. Dev later decided to scrap the film.

His granddaughter Gina Narang (Born 1986) is a licensed pilot. She has followed in the footsteps of her pilot father. Her father passed away from cancer in 2010.In 2007 she eventually left for Dallas, Texas to acquire a Commercial Pilots License.

Starred in the shelved movie, Navketan's "Hijack"(1988) Starring Dev Anand, Meenakshi Sheshadri, Amrish Puri, Ranjeet,Saniya, Music by Bappi Lahiri,Written, Produced and Directed by Dev Anand.

In the late 1990's he wanted to launch Mumtaz's daughter Natasha in a film. Mumtaz declined the offer as her husband did not want his daughters to act.

Uncle to producer Yash Kohli ( Bisham and Hersh's brother). Yash is Dev Anand's sister Savitri (Kanti) son. Yash would later attempt to launch his son Sanjay in a film titled "Target" co starring Dev Anand. This was in the year 1992.

In 1993, he received a Filmfare 'Lifetime Achievement Award' and in 1996 he received a Screen Videocon 'Lifetime Achievement Award'.

Then in 1997 he was given the Mumbai Academy of Moving Images Award for his Outstanding Services to the Indian Film Industry.

In 1998, he was given a 'Lifetime Achievement Award' by the Ujala Anandlok Film Awards Committee in Calcutta.

In 1999, he received the Sansui 'Lifetime Achievement Award' for his 'Immense Contribution to Indian Cinema' in New Delhi.

In the year 2000, he was awarded the Film Goers' 'Mega Movie Maestro of the Millenium' Award in Mumbai.

And then in July 2000, in New York City, he was honored by an Award at the hands of the then First Lady of the United States of America - Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton - for his 'Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema'. And again Anand was awarded the Indo-American Association 'Star of the Millennium' Award in the Silicon Valley, California.

After having played the Lead Actor for more than five decades in over 110 motion pictures, Dev Anand continues to bestride Indian Cinema today. He has given a new dimension to that magical state known as Stardom. And for his exemplary work he was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2001 by the President of India. From the time he embarked on his career as a Film Actor in the mid-forties till now, his movies has been a journey filled with enriching experiences for the 'Evergreen Living Legend' of Indian Cinema. And he has always remained eternally youthful by his remarkable ability to live always in the present and the future; never in the past.

The President of India honored Anand with the prestigious Padma Bhushan Award on India's Republic Day - August 15, 2001.

And yet again, Donna Ferrar, Member New York State Assembly, honored him with a New York State Assembly Citation for his 'Outstanding Contribution to the Cinematic Arts Worthy of the Esteem and Gratitude of the Great State of New York' on May 1, 2001.

Currently in America, scripting, casting, and in the process of finalising American composers and singers for his new All American Movie to be made in the English language - "Song Of Life". The movie will be completely shot in the United States and will have an all American cast with Dev Anand himself playing the central role. Anand will also direct the film. [August 2003]

Daughter Devina divorced her first husband a few years after getting married. Bobby Narang ( Her first husband ) was a pilot. His real name was Rajesh Narang who was the brother of famous businessman Ramesh Narang (infamous for being involved with Zarina Wahab) and Rico (Rakesh Narang). Bobby passed away from cancer in 2010.

India, Mumbai: Getting ready to release his latest film, Chargesheet. [May 2011]