Dev Anand's First Tryst with Stardom A Tribute To His 100th Birth Anniversary

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Watch Lehren’s flashback interview with Dev Anand, which explores the pivotal moment when fate smiled upon the Baazi actor, granting him his first break in Hindi cinema.

Transcript

00:00 Dev Sahab, on behalf of Lehren, I want to wish you once again.

00:03 Thank you.

00:04 Happy Hathi Day.

00:05 Okay.

00:06 You have your first film, Hum Ek Hai, how did you get it?

00:10 How did I get it?

00:14 Oh, I have to go in 1945.

00:22 And what does 1945 mean?

00:25 How many years have passed?

00:26 A little.

00:27 Someone told me that there is a film producer in some office, he wants a boy and he is making a film.

00:36 So I got an idea and I took my overcoat.

00:39 It was raining in July and I got on the train and I got down at Charni Road.

00:44 And I saw the office board and I sat with a watchman.

00:52 I asked him, "Where is sir? Which film maker is he?"

00:56 He said, "What work do you have? I want to meet him."

00:59 I said, "You can't meet him."

01:01 He said, "Why can't I meet him? I don't meet people."

01:03 I said, "If you meet him, why won't you meet me?"

01:05 At this time, Bhai Sahab came.

01:06 Babura Bhai was the producer, very big man, of Prabhat Film Studios in Pune those days.

01:11 And so happened that at that very moment, Bhai just dropped in.

01:16 And he went in and stopped for a while and looked back at me and I smiled and he smiled back.

01:24 And then he went in and he called the chowkedar, "Who is this boy sitting here?"

01:29 He said, "Sir, he wants to meet you. Bring him in."

01:33 I went in. "What is the matter?"

01:35 "Nothing, I heard you want to give a break to a boy. It's a role of a hero.

01:38 I am a 21 year old young man. I think I deserve it."

01:41 He started laughing. I started laughing too.

01:43 He was laughing at me. He was laughing.

01:46 He said, "You can come the day after tomorrow." I said, "I will come."

01:48 Day after tomorrow, I went back. Rajkumar Santoshi's father, P. L. Santoshi, was the director of the film.

01:56 He was from our village. He came and he liked me.

01:59 He gave me the ticket for the first, last, deck and queen.

02:01 I went to Pune, I gave the audition and I was in.

02:03 So this was not a letter of recommendation.

02:08 It was a straight gate crashing with a tremendous amount of confidence.

02:14 The moral of the story, the moral of the story, don't ever lose your self-confidence.

02:21 A person who loses his or her self-confidence is a defeated person.

02:27 And don't let anybody lose that self-confidence.

02:33 A person who makes you lose that self-confidence is your enemy.

02:36 That's it.

02:40 In 1944-45, you made your debut.

02:45 45, 45, 45-46 and in 47, India-Pakistan was divided.

02:50 And I came from Lahore. And my college was in Lahore.

02:54 I went back to Lahore two years ago.

02:57 And after 55 years, I came to the same college.

03:00 So that's my story. There's a lot to say, a lot to say, a lot to say.

03:05 Mumbai has changed a lot. I am the first inhabitant of Mumbai.

03:11 Bombay, Bombay was, those days, Bombay presidency.

03:14 Gujarat and Maharashtra were one at that time.

03:17 All these changes have come in front of my eyes.

03:20 All the political changes. Good or bad, only time will tell.

03:23 It's very difficult for me to say right now.

03:25 Because I am not a political man. But time will tell you.

03:28 People consider you to be the most stylish actor. What do you consider yourself to be?

03:33 I consider myself to be myself.

03:41 I don't know what style is.

03:46 I am talking to you right now, if I have a style or not.

03:49 And I am what I am on the screen. Totally.

03:54 So maybe this is what people like.

03:56 So some people like what I like.

03:59 Although I am not perfect. Nobody is perfect.

04:02 And perfection is nowhere.

04:04 There are many bad things in someone.

04:07 And there is a good thing that looks very good.

04:11 That person looks outstanding.

04:13 And there are many good things in someone.

04:15 There is a bad thing that looks very bad.

04:19 That person is a bad person.

04:21 So evidently, whatever I am, people must have liked me.

04:26 And I am very honest with myself when I am playing my roles.

04:29 And I am very honest with my profession.

04:32 And I think a lot about my work.

04:36 And I do it with a lot of thought.

04:38 I do it with a lot of thought.

04:41 I am not perfect.

04:44 But over the years, while working, I get a strange experience.

04:51 I am educated, I am a graduate, I am aware.

04:54 I have travelled the world, I have met people, I read books.

04:57 I am a writer, I am enlightened.

05:00 So I want to tell the world what I feel in that enlightenment.

05:04 If I don't say it now, when will I say it?

05:06 After so much experience, someone's experience came.

05:09 I have to make a film.

05:10 My career started in 45.

05:12 You are talking to me in 2001.

05:15 How long was the stardom.

05:18 In 49, the Nafketan started.

05:21 People came and went and came and went.

05:23 How many people took a break.

05:24 And I cast people, I enjoy it.

05:28 And every film I make, in my opinion, is better than the previous film.

05:31 I don't know what the world says about it.

05:34 Maybe the world is left behind.

05:36 It is possible.

05:37 But when such a story is made, I will make it.

05:42 If it ever comes in the grip, then 25 years, people will not forget.

05:44 I will tell you.

05:45 Anyway, the film I made, people will not forget.

05:48 People are different.

05:51 Every film has a thought, a life experience.

05:55 I enjoy it.

05:56 And I have the facility, I have the knowledge.

05:58 I want to make it.

05:59 Why won't I make it?

06:00 Who is going to stop me?

06:02 Democracy is there, democracy is there.

06:04 No one else makes it.

06:06 And there is no one in courage.

06:07 People are afraid, they are afraid.

06:09 They are afraid of their fame.

06:10 They are afraid of losing money.

06:13 So I was like that.

06:16 I went to Pune for 400 rupees.

06:19 400 rupees per month.

06:20 I am a rich man.

06:23 No one can harm me.

06:25 I am so rich that I am the richest in the world.

06:29 I have so much experience.

06:31 That is why I always want to say something.

06:33 I read and see what I think.

06:35 I say what I think.

06:37 I don't ask anyone, I ask my mind.

06:40 I ask my mind, I knock and knock.

06:44 Negative and cross in counts total.

06:47 I knock and go.

06:49 Because there is only one person who grows.

06:51 The rest are followers.

06:53 They go behind the flag.

06:54 There are so many opinion makers.

06:56 99.9% leaders, 99.9% followers.

07:00 Flock of sheep.

07:04 Which one works, which one doesn't work.

07:05 Neither you can say, nor can I say.

07:07 Neither the film maker knows.

07:09 There is a vibration about the film.

07:11 It takes the picture.

07:13 But if there is a little difference, it feels good.

07:16 If you want to say something, you should say it.

07:17 It is fun.

07:18 I am making Love and Times Square.

07:20 It is a love story, it will definitely work.

07:22 The element of love is such an emotion that every person has.

07:28 Who does not have love?

07:30 There is no controversy in this.

07:32 There is controversy in a thematic film.

07:36 If you catch a theme, it may be that the theme has to be taken up by people.

07:40 But when we have caught love, then there is love in people's hearts.

07:44 They will like it.

07:46 Love and Times Square is an Indian name.

07:49 Heart beats in love.

07:51 And whose heart does not beat?

07:53 In love.

07:55 Anand, the film maker and the actor, which one is more important to you?

08:01 Film maker.

08:02 Because it is the ultimate film maker.

08:04 An actor came, did the work and left.

08:07 Who made him do the work?

08:10 Script, role, director, camera man photographed.

08:15 Editor edited.

08:17 The film maker is the medium of the director.

08:21 And the director is the one who takes his idea and moves ahead.

08:25 For whom he feels and develops it.

08:28 Director is a big thing.

08:29 It is not an ordinary thing.

08:30 There are many directors.

08:32 But the meaning of a director is that you should have knowledge of acting, writing, screenplay, mass mind, poetry, photography, lyrics, prose.

08:41 What is the trend of the world?

08:43 You are handling 50,000 people in the crowd scene.

08:48 If you are not a leader, you cannot handle it.

08:50 That is my definition of a director.

08:54 It is not that a director comes and gets someone to fight, get someone to sing.

08:59 He takes four stars, joins two films and the film hits.

09:02 The world is crazy. The world knows nothing.

09:05 Do you consider Guide as your best performance on set?

09:12 People say so.

09:13 I will not make this comment.

09:15 If people like it, it will be good.

09:18 And if I sit on it and say that I have shot a lot in Guide, what is the matter?

09:22 Guide can make a big film. I always try. Who knows?

09:26 I am still living, still surviving.

09:29 I am still making pictures. You never know.

09:31 So don't underestimate me.

09:33 I am quite conscious.

09:35 I have to beat my standards.

09:37 I have to do it in acting, performance, direction, writing.

09:40 Every time my subject matter is different.

09:43 Censor was a fantastic picture.

09:46 The thought of Censor that I have taken,

09:48 no one has the courage to take it.

09:50 I took it without hesitation.

09:54 I have to say something about Censor that is in my heart.

09:58 But the problem of Censor was that it is not an identification in people's mind.

10:03 It is not a problem of people.

10:05 People's problem is eating, drinking, divorce, love, sister-in-law, brother.

10:10 These are problems of human mind.

10:12 They identify themselves.

10:14 They are separated. They are in love.

10:17 Censor is a very high-flown problem of a thought for a country, which I said.

10:22 And I said it. And the Censor passed it.

10:24 And the very fact that Censor passed it is my victory.

10:27 If there is a debate on censorship, go and watch my film.

10:32 I have said something that the world will watch.

10:35 And I was prepared for it.

10:36 Which means I am a courageous man.

10:38 I had the courage of saying something which I wanted to say and I said it.

10:44 So, it is a big hit to my mind.

10:47 And in writing, I think it is one of my best pieces.

10:50 I think I worked very hard.

10:52 Everyone has a difference of opinion.

10:56 If someone says something, it is very easy to destroy.

10:59 Very easy to criticize.

11:00 It is so difficult to construct.

11:02 (Question)

11:17 This is not right.

11:19 There are many good actors in the industry who are established.

11:24 I would like to make a film with them.

11:26 But it will take me three years to make a film.

11:28 This is the first thing.

11:30 And then I will go to their house and say, work in my film.

11:33 Give me three days in a month.

11:36 Give me four days.

11:37 It does not suit me.

11:38 There is so much talent in the world in India who do not get a break.

11:43 If Dev Anand gives, he is such a great man.

11:45 Do people give?

11:47 They do not give.

11:48 They were also stars in some time.

11:52 The ones who we give a break, they will also be stars after four years.

11:56 They will think that Dev sir gave us a break.

11:59 Is this a contribution or not?

12:00 And it is not a joke to work with new people.

12:03 You have to have knowledge.

12:05 You have to have experience.

12:06 You have to be very well experienced to be able to take work out of newcomers.

12:11 Absolutely raw.

12:12 And take risks.

12:13 The one who takes risks, he takes risks in good things.

12:17 He is a very great man.

12:18 (Question)

12:25 I gave him a break.

12:27 (Question)

12:29 We were friends.

12:31 I was new and he was new.

12:32 We said that when we produce a film, we will give you a scope of direction.

12:35 He said that we will also become directors and make you a star.

12:37 I formed Navketan and Guru Dutt was in Prabhat.

12:40 An assistant to Vishram Bedega.

12:42 He is a young boy and I liked him.

12:44 We are great friends.

12:45 So I invited him.

12:46 The game is being planned.

12:47 You come and make the game.

12:48 And he made the game a hit.

12:49 It became.

12:50 He established himself.

12:51 I am proud.

12:52 So, Navketan did not give anyone a break.

12:57 There is only one institution.

12:58 1949 to even now.

13:00 1949, officer, game onwards.

13:04 To now, Love at Times Square.

13:06 How many films?

13:07 How many crores of rupees I must have invested in this?

13:10 How many workers must have grown up?

13:12 How many stars must have been made?

13:14 Females, males, music directors, physicists.

13:17 There is a lot in it.

13:19 Otherwise, people stop after making four films.

13:21 They change the name of their company.

13:23 This happens.

13:25 Now my son will work.

13:26 Navketan is there.

13:27 I am still alive.

13:28 I am talking to you.

13:29 Navketan is there.

13:31 There is no bigger institution than this.

13:34 Nowhere in the world.

13:35 MGM is over.

13:36 Fox is over.

13:37 Prabhat is gone.

13:38 Fragment is gone.

13:39 So we are there.

13:40 I don't know what is the matter.

13:41 Maybe it is your blessing.

13:42 Or people have good wishes.

13:44 I don't know.

13:45 Or a big blessing of my inner self.

13:49 I have a blessing that Dev carry on.

13:51 Nothing will happen to you.

13:52 My mind is so strong.

13:53 I am totally motivated.

13:54 He is my God.

13:55 He is my God.

13:56 Is he God?

13:57 Where is God?

13:58 Have you seen him?

13:59 Have you seen him in the temple?

14:00 No.

14:01 It is God's feeling.

14:02 You go with that feeling.

14:04 You get excited with that feeling.

14:06 My feeling is here.

14:08 You became a director after 'Viren Pujari'.

14:14 Yes.

14:15 Do you think it was a welcome addition to the actor inside you?

14:18 I wanted to.

14:20 When an actor becomes a big star,

14:22 he gets lost.

14:24 He doesn't get good roles.

14:25 Other people catch him.

14:27 They push him from behind and make him a big star.

14:29 At that time, your growth is if you have the ability to write,

14:33 direction,

14:34 if you have learned mechanics,

14:36 you should switch over.

14:37 That's your prolongation of your own creative activity.

14:43 Otherwise,

14:44 a star comes,

14:45 stays for 15 years,

14:46 ends,

14:47 new guys come,

14:48 people forget.

14:49 People forget K.L. Sehgal,

14:50 people forget Preeti Raj,

14:51 people forget him,

14:52 people forget the Prime Minister.

14:54 But you are doing some creative work.

14:56 A star is not creative.

14:57 He is alive only by his acting.

14:59 A creative person is the one who wrote a role for a star.

15:02 He performed.

15:04 It is a great thing.

15:06 And the story he writes is a novelist.

15:08 He gives thought to the world.

15:10 And the world follows his thought.

15:12 So I think every strong actor,

15:14 when he becomes a very strong star,

15:16 his natural growth is to make his own pictures.

15:20 If he has the faculty,

15:22 those who haven't,

15:23 they retire as actors.

15:24 Those who have it,

15:25 they outgrow their status.

15:27 Finally, how would you describe Dev Anand?

15:32 As Dev Anand.

15:34 You have taken my interview.

15:39 And many people are listening to this interview.

15:44 And many people will watch it.

15:46 And you ask them,

15:50 Have you listened to and watched this interview of Dev Sir?

15:52 What do you think about Dev Anand?

15:54 Ask them.

15:56 (Music)

16:00 (dramatic music)

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