The poster I spotted some 20 years back...

Even to a generation that only thrives on wafer thin novels and swears by 15 second commercials, Dev Anand’s a name synonymous to agelessness. Its almost unbelievable that he is no more, having passed away on the 4th of December 2011, in London. He was 88 and most likely died in his sleep. My earliest memory of the man called “The Adonis Of Indian Cinema”, was a B&W poster I spotted in an Archies Gallery in my home town. I didn’t quite believe the picture was from the 50′s nor could imagine Indian men could look so good. Well some of his work that I have watched since speaks out aloud that he was far more, beyond a pretty face. As such,  “C.I.D.” , “Hum Dono”, “Guide“, “Jewel Thief”, Johny Mera Naam” & “Hare Rama Hare Krishna” stand out from a body of extensive work that lasted 6 decades. Yeah 6 decades.

Among a hoard of tributes from a wide spectrum of dignitaries, his nephew’s the award winning film maker Shekhar Kapur’s was an apt summary when he said “Dev Anand lived and died at his own terms. He was working one minute. Sat down and smiled. And was gone the next. So much 2 learn”.

The message rings true, more so because of the times we belong to. A mediocre piece of art can meet with thunderous acceptance through the likes of YouTube, making someone an overnight sensation awarding celebrity status and hence the possibility of coming across another one like Dev Saab is a far fetched dream not likely to be realised until perhaps another lifetime.

I leave You with a note, lip synced by the maestro himself that goes something like “Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya, Har Phikr Ko Dhoowein Mein Udata Chala Gaya…” (I live my life being loyal to it, blowing every worry in the smoke into the thin air…) May You be the lesson Dev Saab. You will be sorely missed