INDIAN film industry Bollywood`s evergreen star Dev Anand, whose flamboyant image and innate romantic spirit swayed millions of fans, died yesterday night in London (December 3) following cardiac arrest.
88-year-old Dev Anand, who had come here for medical check-up, was not keeping well for the last few days, family sources said.
The legendary actor`s son Sunil was with him when he breathed his last.
Known for his trademark puff of hair, his sloping walk and smile, Dev Anand starred in countless hits like "Guide", "Paying Guest", "Baazi", "Jewel Thief ", "CID", "Johny Mera Naam", "Amir Garib", "Warrant", "Hare Rama Hare Krishna" and "Des Pardes".
When his contemporaries like Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar stopped playing the leading men in movies, the versatile actor did not lose his innate romantic spirit and continued to woo his young heroines in movies like "Johnny Mera Naam", "Des Pardes", "Hare Rama Hare Krishna" among others.
Dev Anand made his debut as an actor in 1946 in "Hum Ek Hain". By the time his "Ziddi" was released in 1947 he was a superstar and has never looked back.
For his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema, Dev Anand was honoured with the prestigious the `Padma Bhushan` in 2001 and `Dada Saheb Phalke Award` in 2002.
He established his film production company `Navketan International Films` in 1949 and has produced more than 35 movies.
Dev Anand has won two Filmfare Awards – India`s equivalent of the Oscars – in 1958 for his performance in the film "Kala Paani" (Black Water) and in 1966 for his performance in "Guide".
"Guide" went on to win Filmfare Awards in five other categories including "Best Film" and "Best Director" and was sent as India`s entry for the Oscars in the foreign film category that year.
