His eyes were tired. I stared deep into them searching for the twinkle. It was evident in the movies when he nods his head sideways for impressing beautiful women on screen. I didn’t find it. The eyes appeared unfocussed when he was talking and instructing with his hands. His hands moved slowly and effortlessly.
He carried a cane in his hand. The cane barely touched the ground. It reminded me of the old English teacher who taught me in Std IV. My English teacher used the cane for terrifying us although he never used it on us.
He was dressed in his trademark style. He wore a jacket on top of his shirt. The jacket was buttoned up at the bottom and opened at the top to reveal the knotted shawl hanging around his neck.
His head was adorned by his trademark cap. There were strands of hair sticking outside the cap. I strained my eyes to identify texture of the hair. I was curious if it was a wig. I could not spot the difference.
The crowd was busy clicking his pictures using their cameras – traditional, digital and mobile. He obliged everyone who was eager to be photographed with him. Very soon, his assistants interfered. They requested to clear the way for him. He nodded at the crowd before walking to the next location.
I watched him walk away. Now, the crowd had dispersed. Two aides walked by his side talking to him. He looked down at the earth and walked forward with the help of his long cane.
He was tall. But his shoulders stooped into an hunch. The weight of old age has changed his appearance while the grace remained intact.
That was Dev Anand, shooting his new movie at Mahabaleshwar.
But there are still mysteries. How does he find energy to do this? And most importantly, where does he find money to do this?
He is a legend, isn't he? Willing to be in front of the camera and behind even at this age. I always wondered how he manages to shell out such movies, even though they're made at a shoe-string budget. The man is amazing!
ReplyDeleteMy mom used to be a big fan of the man and she used to describe him as a 'balcony breaker'.Meaning every time he would step outside, there would be so many people leaning out of balconies to have a look that eventually the balconies would break! She also said that he looked so handsome in black that many girls felt suicidal after seeing him!!
ReplyDeleteHe surely was charismatic but I liked his movies for the songs and the strong story line. His strange mannerisms were a bit too much for me.
Thanks for this account on the Evergreen Hero of Bollywood. He is one of my favorite actor.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful written... Nothing could be better than this... The grace is still alive...
ReplyDeleteNona,I have known Devsaab personally and have spent some good moments with him.His energy comes from his attitude.He thinks he is young,he behaves like one,has a very disciplined life style,is very careful with his diet,he hardly drinks.He has a very positive approach towards life.
ReplyDeleteNo one knows who finances his films,but he does get money to produce films.
oh...you know what..he is easily my favourite old time actor..am sure if i was born in generation i would have imitated him!! a good part of my love for oldie songs is coz of his screen presence....!!
ReplyDelete@ScorpioGenius- Yes, he has a never-say-die attitude.
ReplyDelete@Aparna - Interesting name... "balcony breaker"! About girls liking him, some of the girls in my group were glowing on seeing him. :)
Even today, his movies touches upon certain issues nobody would touch with a pole. To my disappointment, he only shows this issue in a superficial manner in his movies.
The mannerisms are odd. But, we remember him because of the mannerisms too.
@Tomz - Thanks. :)
@Swatantra - Thanks. :)
@BKC - Thanks for sharing your experiences. A teetotaller Punjabi like Akshay Kumar. I like his "I'm young" approach.
@Mathew - To share a personal experience, my dad used to make "kuruvikoodu" - the way the hair is combed back to resemble a bird's nest - on my hair city Dev Anand's style. :) I have seen other uncles follow the same hair style. :)
ya buddy..i met dev anand personally lst year when he was in dubai to release a book...amazing guy...take care buddy best wishes always...
ReplyDeleteDont listen to what aparna says!! her mom knows the best. I agree there was never a man who swooned me more than dev anand!! I just go weak in my knees seeing him, there is not a single film of his that I have not watched!! Just adore that man. He had class and he had style!! I really envy you this opportunity!
ReplyDelete@Ramesh - Thanks!
ReplyDelete@Sujata - :) I feel lucky to have met Devsaab.
The last bit of your Blog piece was interesting. Intriguing for me too. Giving the kind of movies he has been producing of late & their success at Box office, where does he still find the money. Beats me.
ReplyDelete@Vaz - :) Like BKC commented, nobody knows where he finds the money. But he does find the money!
ReplyDeletehe man at 1st i just love Mr Dev Anand even till date he is my fav i am always on awe of him,
ReplyDeletehave watched almost all his movies had the biggest fan following in 50s & 60s
and talking abt the money, he has got property worth 4000 crores in mumbai only remember he owns Navketan studio now u can imagine the kind of money has ,perhaps with all his assets he is right there on top of bollywoods riche rich list,nd ya 1 thing more he travels in business class across the country nd globe.
he man at 1st i just love Mr Dev Anand even till date he is my fav i am always on awe of him,
ReplyDeletehave watched almost all his movies had the biggest fan following in 50s & 60s
and talking abt the money, he has got property worth 4000 crores in mumbai only remember he owns Navketan studio now u can imagine the kind of money has ,perhaps with all his assets he is right there on top of bollywoods riche rich list,nd ya 1 thing more he travels in business class across the country nd globe.