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His jovial gait, open collar shirt, unique expressions and the crooked cap adorned on his head… these were some of the qualities that made the whole of India crazy about Dev Anand. In the history of Hindi cinema, he is remembered as an ‘evergreen’ superstar whose shine never faded.
But do you know that before spreading the magic of romance on the silver screen, Dev Saheb did a very strange job under the British to earn his living? Let us know the interesting story of Dev Anand’s struggle and his becoming a superstar, which is no less than a film script.
When I spent nights in the censor office to earn my living.
It is about those days when Dev Anand had newly arrived in Mumbai (then Bombay) and was visiting production houses and directors’ offices every day with the dream of becoming an actor. Pockets were empty and it was not easy to earn a living in a city like Mumbai. In the midst of this struggle they Censor Office of the British Army I got a job as a clerk.
What was Dev Anand’s ‘strange’ work?
Dev Anand’s work in this office of the British Army was very interesting and strange. They were written by British Army officers and soldiers to their families or close ones. Letters had to be read before being posted. This was done so that no soldier could send out any confidential or strategic information of the army even by mistake. In return for this work, Dev Saheb gets monthly salary. 165 rupees We used to get it, which was a decent amount in those days.
A British officer’s ‘wish’ changed the world
The job was going well and Dev Saheb was living comfortably, but the artist within him was not happy with this. He used to ask himself every day whether he was made for this work? He wanted to quit his job, but the future was bleak.
Then one day he received a letter written by a British officer. Remembering his girlfriend/wife, the officer had written:
“I wish I could quit this job right now… come straight to you and be in your arms.”
this one word ‘If only’ It had a direct impact on Dev Anand’s heart. He thought that when he reached the last stage of his life, he would never want to think that ‘I wish I had left that Rs 165 job and tried to become an actor!’ This letter gave him the courage he was looking for. He immediately picked up the pen, wrote his resignation and kicked out that British job forever.
That stranger traveler of the local train and ‘Prabhat Film Company’
After leaving the job, Dev Anand once again started looking for work. One day when he was traveling in a local train in Mumbai, he met a stranger passenger sitting nearby. During the conversation the traveler told Dev Saheb that ‘Prabhat Film Company’ She is looking for a new, fresh and handsome boy for her new film.
Without wasting any time, Dev Anand went to the office of Prabhat Film Company the very next day. There he met the owner of the company Baburao Pie resulted from. Baburao was so impressed by Dev Saheb’s outspokenness, manner of talking and the glow on his face that he immediately told him, “Come tomorrow and meet our director PL Santoshi.”
The journey of the first contract and the first film
1.Director P.L. Meeting with Santoshi:appointment.
The next day Dev Anand met director P.L. Appeared before Santoshi. Santoshi ji was impressed by Dev Saheb’s wonderful personality and screen presence.
2.3 years first contract:Contract.
He could clearly see a future superstar in Dev Anand. He directly informed Dev Saheb without any delay. 3 year contract But signed.
3.First film ‘Hum Ek Hain’:Debut.
Dev Anand’s first film as a lead hero under this banner. ‘We are one’ It was completed and released in theatres.
4.Average at the box office, destined to be a superhit:outcome.
Although the film did not prove to be a huge blockbuster at the box office, the film industry and the audience appreciated Dev Anand’s acting and his unique style. This was the beginning of his journey which later made him the ‘evergreen megastar’ of Indian cinema.
