Six years of romance

New Delhi, Jan 12: His has been an over six decade-long romance with films - a romantic journey which began with Prabhat Talkies 'Hum Ek Hain' in the 1940s and which rather than being dissipated by the "sands of time" grows stronger with the "greying years".

Old age and death may have relegated most of his contemporaries in Bollywood like Raj Kapoor, Sunil Dutt, Rahman, Suraiya, Waheeda Rahman and Dilip Kumar, either in the lap of death or the "throes of anonymity", but evergreen actor Dev Anand continues to bask in the "glare of arclights" with the numerous ups and downs during his stint in Bollywood having withered neither his zest nor his thirst for creativity.

Even as he continues with his "creative burst" with films like the soon-to-be-launched 'When Heartbeats are the Same', his first English film as also the first one to be shot entirely in Croatia, and a murder mystery 'Charge Sheet', said to be inspired by the famous Jessica Lal case, the "Gregory Peck of Indian Cinema" is ready with a "creative endeavour of a different kind" - his autobiography, which captures the debonair actor's journey in the tinsel world.

The matinee idol has just finished writing his autobiography, one which promises to unveil the various chapters of his colourful life - his growth as an actor though films like 'CID', 'Kaala Paani', 'Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai', 'Guide', 'Johny Mera Naam', 'Gambler', Tere Ghar Ke Saamne'; his metamorphosis as director of films like 'Heera Panna', 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna', "lootmar', Des Pardes', 'Hum Naujawan', 'Awwal Number', Love At Time's Square' and the most recent 'Mr Prime Minister' as well as unraveling the mystery behind his relationships with his heroines like Suraiya and Zeenat Aman.

Tentatively titled 'Romancing With Life', Dev Anand's much-awaited autobiography, the first full length memoir by a leading Bollywood star, is to be published by Penguin India in September this year.

Infact, the manuscript of the book, running into a mammoth 100 chapters, was submitted by the debonair star to Penguin in Mumbai last week.

''We plan to launch the book, which covers every aspect of the legendary actor's extraordinary career in Bollywood, on September 26 to coincide with Dev Anand's 85th birthday,''a Penguin India spokesperson said.

Sources in the Penguin said the book would provide readers a panoramic view of the life and career of one of the most charismatic stars in Bollywood's history - from his experiences as a lad from pre-partition Punjab who landed in the tinsel town to try his luck in Hindi films to his subsequent rise to stardom and rise in fame as actor, producer and director.

Further, the book will also take the readers through the interesting episodes from Dev Anand's personal life - from his romance with yesteryear's actress Suraiya as well as his liaisons with his leading actresses like Zeenat Aman ('Heera Panna', 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna'), his long and fruitful association with the legendary Guru Dutt ('Baazi', 'CID') to his association with numerous politicians, diplomats and celebrities the world over.

''This book is my life. I have spent over 60 glorious years in show business, sitting in the front row seat all the time. And I have watched my country grow from pre-Independence to the present day, from a mountain top. It just happened...I never planned it that way,''the legendary actor says.

The legend, who was last year awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke award for his contributon to Indian cinema, says that penning his autobiography was his way of giving back to the people of the World the tremendous love and affection that he had recieved over the years from them as well as the repaying for the inspiration that lives of people across the world provided for his various films over the decades.

''This is my way of giving back to the World what I have taken for so many years,''Dev said.

Stating that the book was a first hand account of his myriad experiences during his over six decade-long career, Dev said, ''this is my story. Every word, every sentence in the book is mine, written by me. Every breath captured is mine.'' Reminiscing about the time when a youngster from pre-Partition Punjab landed in Bombay in the early 40s to realise his tinsel dreams soon after his graduation in English literature from Lahore Government College, Dev Anand said,''it has been a fascinating journey from being just another star-struck youngster who landed in Mumbai in 1943 to become a film actor to being a heartthrob of millions of people in the country. I have witnessed the rise and fall of the many stars and directors. I have witnessed the loss of many nears and dears like Guru Dutt, Chetan Anand and Vijay Anand.

And, here I am continuing with the same vigour. It is all God's grace and a result of the tremendous love of my fans.'' Dev, who got his first role in films in 'Hum Ek Hain' in 1946, had to undergo couple of years of struggle during which he eked out an existence by working in a military Censor's office, reading letters written by soldiers to their families.

The matinee idol's unending passion for cinema has led him to notch up several firsts to his credit - in 70s, he became the first filmmaker to base his film 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna' in Nepal; at the same time, he is the first filmmaker to attempt cinematic ventures focussing on social issues like drug addiction ('Hare Rama Hare Krishna') terrorism('Lootmar') and corruption in sports ('Awwal Number').

''I was the first to shoot 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna' in Nepal, which was also the first film on the issues of drug addiction among youth. Now, I am the first one to base my forthcoming film 'Where Heartbeats Are The Same' in Croatia,''Dev said.

Interestingly, he is also set to become the first big Bollywood actor to write an autobiography of his life. Trade sources said Dev started writing the book in New York three years ago when the US was attacking Baghdad.

The fact that at an age of 83, Dev Anand has managed to pen down such a comprehensive autobiographical tale, speaks volumes about the tremendous creativity of the actor-director and his indefatigable nature.

According to Managing editor of Penguin India, Udayan Mita, the book, running into nearly 100 chapters, promised to be one of the biggest memoir ever penned by a leading Bollywood star, covering more than six decades of Hindi cinema as witnessed by an insider and a pioneer.

''Romancing with Life is the story of one of the most fascinating lives in show business. Dev Saab, as the legendary actor is lovingly called in film circles, has had a ringside view of Bollywood and India since the 1940s. In this book, he tells his incredible story as only he could,''Ms Mita said.

''It is a book that millions of his fans across the world will be itching to get their hands on,''she said.

UNI