Dev Anand Birth Anniversary: Did You Know Legendary Icon Launched Guru Dutt After Striking A Deal With Him?
Many remember Dev Anand for his charm, acting and that beautiful smile that reached his eyes. But what many may not be aware of is the fact that Dev Anand was the man of his words. He struck a deal with his friend Guru Dutt and kept his word
Dev Anand was the darling of the masses. His childish smile, handsome face and inimitable style had left everyone swooning over him for many decades. He was quite a disarming gentleman whose raw confidence and unshakeable faith in his own craft are an inspiration. But what many may not be aware of is the fact that Dev Anand was the man of his words. He struck a deal with his friend Guru Dutt and kept his word. Shekhar Kapur Cites Examples of Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand Launching Rishi Kapoor, Vijay Anand, Says 'Not About Nepotism, It's About Opening Gates to New Talent'.
In his column on Outlook back in 2011, Dev Anand wrote, "We promised each other that the day I became a producer, I’d take him on as a director, and the day he directed a film, he’d cast me as a hero. And I’m not a promise breaker. I did launch Guru as a director in Navketan’s Baazi in 1951. He even appears at the beginning of the film."
It was one of the less talked-about friendships between a reigning superstar of the time and a brilliant filmmaker. Anand writes about how he missed him and even met Guru Dutt three days before his death. Anand recollected, "In the last days of his life, he called me and said he’d love to have me over. I saw the man then, he’d lost his hair and was weak. He was suffering. He was not the same Guru I’d known. We discussed making a film together. I told him, 'Look, why don’t you write a great script? Let’s do it.' This was three days before he died!" Film Heritage Foundation To Commemorate Dev Anand’s 100th Birth Anniversary With Special Festival Edition.
The loss of a dear friend and perhaps the only friend from the industry can be tough. Dev Anand felt it and missed him.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 26, 2023 08:10 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).