For years,Dev saab insisted on having the third page of Screen reserved for an advertisement every time a film was on release Dev Anand and Screen go back a long way. In fact,his and the publications birthday are close to each other because of which Devsaab always had a soft corner for the paper. Even today,if I dont get my copy of Screen every Wednesday I get restless. The paper is very close to my heart and I am sure it will keep doing better. Wishing Screen all the success, he had said recently during the celebration of Screens 60th anniversary. For years,Dev saab insisted on having the third page of the paper reserved for an advertisement every time a film was on release. He wanted that page especially so that when one turned the cover,the full-page ad looked very striking. He loved to feature on the first page of Screen that carried a full-length picture of the star of the week. The evergreen actor was one of the regulars at the Screen anniversary parties. He enjoyed the ones on the terrace of the Express Towers, hosted by Vivek Goenka,the Chairman of the Express Group. Even the inaugural bash to launch the Hindi edition of Screen had the honour of his gracious presence. Dev Anand was honoured with the Special Screen Award for his contribution to Indian cinema in 2001. Earlier,in the year 1996,he was honoured with the Star Screen Lifetime Achievement Award. Two years ago,during the 16th Star Screen awards,Vidhu Vinod Chopra,whose 3 Idiots won several awards at the function,pointed out to Dev Anand who was sitting a little away from him. Maine aisa koi nahin dekha jo zindagi bhar woh filmein banata hain jiss pe usska vishwas hain. I dont think there is a bigger man than him, said Chopra. He went to Devsaab and asked him,Sir,what is it that drives you? To which the romantic hero of all times replied,Be yourself. I think I am competing with people like you (pointing to Shah Rukh Khan and Chopra) and all the best actors or directors. I do not know whether I succeed or not but I am doing my best. A co-star remembers HEMA MALINI Devsaabs passing is a humungous loss for the industry and a great loss to me personally,as I have worked with him in so many films from Johny Mera Naam in 1970 to Censor in 2001,including six Navketan films Tere Mere Sapne,Shareef Badmaash,Chhupa Rustom,Jaaneman and Sacche Ka Bol Bala. His name only reminds one that age is just a number and that cinema is life. No one word can describe his enigmatic personality. He had a unique style of dressing and was a livewire who charged all people around with his energy. Not for a moment in all these years have I seen him sitting in a relaxed manner on the sets,because he was constantly planning,creating and discussing films and the shoot ahead. We have lost a wonderful,joyful,youthful,charming and passionate star in Devsaab. Even the phrase Rest In Peace does not apply to him,though this is what I pray for him. I can still imagine,at this very moment,Devsaab planning his next passionate venture. Having said all this,I must say that I am upset with the media that took him for granted in these last few years. They should have made sure that he got the attention,honour and respect due to him after his contribution to the industry for decades. Even now,they are concentrating on his hit movies and not on all the memorable films he did! They have even forgotten our Amir Garib,which was our second musical blockbuster after Johny Mera Naam.
