Waheeda Rehman recalls legendary Dev Anand

Rehman will unveil the legendary actor’s statue on his first death anniversary.

Recalling the legendary superstar Dev Anand, veteran actor Waheeda Rehman reveals how the Bollywood’s charmer was years ahead of those today in the industry.

“After Guide, he was in talks with Shirley MacLaine and he wanted to make MM Kaye’s novel Far Pavilions in India with her. But he told me it was not working out,” says the 76-year-old. She continued: “He was always looking forward to make international films and do co-productions, which is a common thing now. He was way ahead of his time,” reports the Hindustan Times.

Rehman, who worked with him in C.I.D. (1956), Solva Saal (1958), Kala Bazar (1960), Baat Ek Raat Ki (1962), Guide (1965), Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (1961) and Prem Pujari (1970), will unveil the legendary actor’s statue at the UTV Stars’ Walk of the Stars on December 4 to mark his first death anniversary.

“I called him Dev saab when I met him for the first time, but he said, ‘you’ll only call me Dev’,” says Rehman going back to the past. “Though he was my senior, he was always co-operative and helpful.”

According to the Hindustan Times, she further adds: “He was a charmer. He was always full of life. We never had any problems and I only have fond memories with him.”

But there was this one time where he ended up disappointing her. “I was upset with him when he did not invite me on his trip to America  for promotion of the English version of Guide,” says Rehman.

She also reveals that Dev was a quiet man. “Dev was a very shy person. He used to invite the whole industry for his premieres but he hardly went to any.”

Dev Anand, despite being a megastar, was very humble. Despite all his fame and money, he stuck to his Fiat car for a very long time, and used to drive it himself,” says Rehman. “It was rare that he wore suits, only during premieres or awards,” she adds. “He was more of a scarf and high button shirts kind of a person.”

The legendary actor died of a heart attack at the age of 88, on December 3, 2011 in London.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 4^th, 2012.            

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