TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DEV ANAND, one of the most loveable romantic heroes of the 1950s and the 1960s, has refused to let age slow him down. The actor who turned 88 on Monday is as excited about new films and his birthday gift — an I-Phone, as anyone could be.

After graduating in English literature from the Government College, Lahore, British India, Dev Anand left his hometown and came to Mumbai in the early 1940s. He began his career in the military censor office at Churchgate, Mumbai, for a salary of Rs 200. He joined his older brother Chetan Anand as a member of the Indian People’s Theatre Association.

He was soon offered a debut role as an actor by Prabhat Talkies in their film Hum Ek Hain(1946). While shooting for the film in Pune, Dev Anand struck friendship with another fellow legendary actor Guru Dutt. They had decided between themselves that if one of the two becomes successful first in film industry then he would help the other to be successful.

It was a mutual understanding between them that when Dev Anand produced a film , Guru Dutt would direct it and when Guru Dutt directed a film, Dev Anand would be in the cast.

In the late forties, Dev Anand got a few offers to star opposite singer-actress Suraiya in woman-oriented films, as the male lead. While shooting these films, he became romantically involved with Suraiya. The two of them were paired in six films- Vidya (1948), Jeet (1949), Shair (1949), Afsar (1950), Nili (1950), Do Sitare (1951) and Sanam (1951).

Dev Anand was offered his first big break by Ashok Kumar. He spotted Dev Anand hanging around in the studios and picked him as the hero for the Bombay Talkies production, Ziddi, costarring Kamini Kaushal (1948) which became an instant success. After Ziddi’s success Dev Anand had decided that he would start producing films. So in 1949, Dev Anand turned producer and launched his own company Navketan (which mean newness), which till 2011 has produced 31 films and continues to produce movies even today.

Dev Anand chose Guru Dutt as director for the crime thriller, Baazi (1951). The film starring Dev Anand, Geeta Bali and Kalpana Kartik was a trendsetter regarded as the forerunner of the spate of urban crime films that followed in Bollywood in the 1950s.

The film Baazi saw debut of Kalpana Kartik aka Mona Singh as the lead female actress and Guru Dutt as a director. They signed all the film offers and subsequently the movies Aandhiyan, 1954 Film, House No. 44 and Nau Do Gyarah went on to become big hits too. During the making of film Taxi Driver, the couple fell in love and Dev Anand proposed marriage to his heroine Kalpana. In 1954, Taxi Driver was declared a hit and the two decided to marry in a quiet ceremony.

Dev Anand has directed 19 films and produced 31 films of which 7 directorial ventures and 18 films respectively were commercially successful at the box office.

He wrote the story for 13 of his films.

Critics say his directorial ventures have always been ahead of its time. Dev Anand’s films are well known for their hit songs. He is known to have been an active participant in the music sessions of a number of his films.

FUTURE VENTURES He has announced the sequel to his hit film “Hare Rama Hare Krishna” and is looking forward to the release of Chargesheet. The Padma Bhushan awardee and Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner continues to be as charged up about his new film Chargesheet, as he has been about all his other films. “If I’m not as enthusiastic about my new film then I’ve no business making it. The very fact that I’ve picked up the responsibility of directing another film proves I’ve the energy for it. The day I don’t, I won’t make any more films. My audience, my fans are my source of energy.

I need my fans’ good wishes.. they give me my energy,” says Dev sahaab, who has got himself an I-Phone for his birthday. The film is a different genre for the octogenarian, who says: “I haven’t done this genre before.

It’s a murder mystery.” The legend confesses that he starts thinking of his next film even before he has completed a film. “If you want to define Dev Anand, it would have to be as ‘restlessness’. While I am making a film I am totally consumed by it. But yes, a part of my mind moves to the next project.” MESSAGE FOR FANS “I love my fans and seek their good wishes all the time. The younger generations is so clued in, so huge in mind and impact. As they connect withs me I feel my batteries being recharged. Some of the most remarkable minds of the world stay in our country. And I give them my love and good wishes. Continue to see my films.” “If you want to define Dev Anand, it would have to be as ‘restlessness’.

While I am making a film I am totally consumed by it. But yes, a part of my mind moves to the next project” A movie poster of Hare Rama Hare Krishna. A movie poster of Jewel Thief. A movie poster of Taxi Driver.

A CD cover of the movie Chargesheet.

Dev Anand At 88 Dev Anand is still going strong FILMFARE AWARDS 1958 - Best Actor for Kalapani.

1966 - Best Film for Guide.

1991 - Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award.

HONOURS AND RECOGNITIONS 1999 - Sansui “Lifetime Achievement Award” for his ‘Immense Contribution to Indian Cinema’ in New Delhi.

2001 - Padma Bhushan Award.

2001 - “Evergreen Star of the Millennium” Award at the Zee Gold Bollywood Awards.

2002 - Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest award for cinematic excellence.

2004 - “Legend of Indian Cinema” Award at Atlantic City (US).

2006 - “ANR Award” by the Akkineni International Foundation.

2006 - “Glory of India Award” by IIAF, London.

2007 - “Punjab Ratan” (Jewel of Punjab) Award by the World Punjabi Organisation.

2010 - “Phalke Ratna Award” by Dadasaheb Phalke Academy. He is also a recipient of the Rashtriya Gaurav Award