Since I love Indian cinema so much, I get excited when I have a chance to meet any of the stars. Dev Anand is on that list. Admittedly, I have never seen a Dev Anand film! I know he's a legendary Bollywood actor but I couldn't miss out on a chance to meet him!! Come on, it's free!
He was coming to Atlanta to promote, sell, and sign autographs for his autobiography book - "Romancing with Life."
I was very disappointed with the turnout. We weren't allowed to take our cameras in to take any pictures. All these photos unless otherwise specify were taken by photographer, Mahadev Desai. It was RSVP with an e-mail but apparently, there were not enough space for everyone. When everything was finally situated, we saw a video montage of Dev Anand's life and career achievements. Then afterwards, he answered fans' questions.
Everyone who bought a book and got Dev Anand to sign did take pictures with them. However, it was their own photographer since we weren't able to bring cameras in. We weren't able to get the photo until a few days. But guess what??? Since it was a FREE event, the sponsors wanted you to open up a savings or checkings account with the bank. I was fine with that because I wanted the picture I took with Dev Anand. I was planning to close the account in a month or two. But.....the minimum to start an account is $500. WTH???
And my friend did sneak her camera to take this picture....not as good since it wasn't permitted....
I was just disappointed in the whole experience. But I did get the book autograph and he signed with my name.....
10 comments:
Considering that Dev Anand's days of being a hot celebrity were in the 60s and 70s I'm amazed you even bothered to go for it! Have you read the book he autographed for you? Its apparently full of his sexcapades. I love his B/W movies and some of his colored ones from 60s and 70s but the guy doesnt seem to realise that he is 80 and not the attractive young man he once was!
Dev Anand was a great star and many of his films - from about 1951 to 1980 - are well worth seeing. His company Navketan always made rewarding films in this period and many of them are classics. You should see them. Why haven't you?
Nowadays he mostly makes films for his own amusement - they are his experiments - and is unconcerned about criticism. His book has received mixed reviews but he will write more. He has several films planned and is currently shooting "Chargesheet".
Dev has always been a highly energetic and positive fellow who believes in doing his own thing. He was a fashion icon from the first and has always dressed in his own inimitable style. Moreover, he has always looked younger than his physical age and has shown no signs of slowing down.
That he is able to be so very active at 84 - and to be doing exactly what he likes to do, and in his own way - is remarkable. You have met an unusual and wonderful man and many - including myself - would envy you.
God bless Dev and God bless you. Maybe you will learn from his example and be as evergreen as he is!
bollyviewer - I read a few pages and Dev is not a good writer. He should've gotten an editor but I commend him for trying. In the middle of the book, there are beautiful pictures of him and his films. Makes me even curious of the person he was/is. I went to the event because he's Dev Anand, a legend.
Phillip - Thanks for stopping by. If you've been following my blogs, I go for eye candy since I'm a selfish-shallow person. I haven't watched many Bollywood films prior to the 80s. I've seen only a handful from the 70s. Most Hmong people don't care to watch Dev Anand films. Therefore, I wasn't expose to his films. Since I'm really into Bollywood films and know about the legendary star, I went to the event. Why not? What makes you think I think negatively of him? Is it because I haven't seen any of his films yet? I never said I didn't want to watch them. It's just that I haven't. That's all. I just got Jewel Thief and can't wait to watch it this weekend. So stop by again and read my review this weekend.
It would be fun to see Dev Anand live today...
I've watched about half a dozen movies with him recently, mainly because there always seem to be Dev Anand movies from the '60s (and even some from the '50s) with English subtitles available on YouTube! (Though they also tend to disappear pretty fast...) I also fairly recently bought (and reviewed) Tere Mere Sapne (1971).
Bollyviewer, hello. Judging by conversations we've had elsewhere, you thought Dev Anand was too old in 1971. So who would expect you to like him in 2008? :)
Nicki, from what I've heard, you made a good choice for your first Dev movie. I haven't seen Jewel Thief yet, but I have to get it sometime. Dev Anand isn't the only great star in that one; it's got an incredible cast. I have watched some clips from it already because I'm a big fan of Vyjayanthimala.
Richard - Thanks so much for stopping by. :)
I can't wait to watch Jewel Thief but have to do so this weekend. Looking forward to it. Come by again
Jewel Thief is very enjoyable and much imitated. You will have a pleasant weekend, Nicki. Here is a list of some of Dev's other top films:
Guide, Hum Dono, Asli Naqli, Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Tere Ghar Ke Samne, Kala Pani, Solva Saal, C.I.D, Kala Bazzar, Teen Devian, Taxi Driver, Bambai Ka Babu, Nau Do Gyarah, Paying Guest
Happy viewing Nicki. Hope you get the opportunity to watch all of them.
All the best to you.
Philip
Thanks so much for the movie list Phillip
If you like catching movies for free on YouTube, Kalapani is still there, starting here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rmJejpllYE
Oh, yeah, and I forgot to mention Amar Deep, which I also bought and reviewed. Dev Anand stars in that, and it could be my favorite movie that I've seen him in. But I don't think of it as a Dev Anand movie so much because he is overshadowed here, at least in my mind, by my two favorite actress-dancers of all time, Vyjayanthimala and (especially) Padmini.
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