Watch Lehren’s flashback interview with Dev Anand, which explores the pivotal moment when fate smiled upon the Baazi actor, granting him his first break in Hindi cinema.
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00:00 Dev Sahab, on behalf of Lehren, I want to wish you once again.
00:03 Thank you.
00:04 Happy Hathi Day.
00:05 Okay.
00:06 You have your first film, Hum Ek Hai, how did you get it?
00:10 How did I get it?
00:14 Oh, I have to go in 1945.
00:22 And what does 1945 mean?
00:25 How many years have passed?
00:26 A little.
00:27 Someone told me that there is a film producer in some office, he wants a boy and he is making a film.
00:36 So I got an idea and I took my overcoat.
00:39 It was raining in July and I got on the train and I got down at Charni Road.
00:44 And I saw the office board and I sat with a watchman.
00:52 I asked him, "Where is sir? Which film maker is he?"
00:56 He said, "What work do you have? I want to meet him."
00:59 I said, "You can't meet him."
01:01 He said, "Why can't I meet him? I don't meet people."
01:03 I said, "If you meet him, why won't you meet me?"
01:05 At this time, Bhai Sahab came.
01:06 Babura Bhai was the producer, very big man, of Prabhat Film Studios in Pune those days.
01:11 And so happened that at that very moment, Bhai just dropped in.
01:16 And he went in and stopped for a while and looked back at me and I smiled and he smiled back.
01:24 And then he went in and he called the chowkedar, "Who is this boy sitting here?"
01:29 He said, "Sir, he wants to meet you. Bring him in."
01:33 I went in. "What is the matter?"
01:35 "Nothing, I heard you want to give a break to a boy. It's a role of a hero.
01:38 I am a 21 year old young man. I think I deserve it."
01:41 He started laughing. I started laughing too.
01:43 He was laughing at me. He was laughing.
01:46 He said, "You can come the day after tomorrow." I said, "I will come."
01:48 Day after tomorrow, I went back. Rajkumar Santoshi's father, P. L. Santoshi, was the director of the film.
01:56 He was from our village. He came and he liked me.
01:59 He gave me the ticket for the first, last, deck and queen.
02:01 I went to Pune, I gave the audition and I was in.
02:03 So this was not a letter of recommendation.
02:08 It was a straight gate crashing with a tremendous amount of confidence.
02:14 The moral of the story, the moral of the story, don't ever lose your self-confidence.
02:21 A person who loses his or her self-confidence is a defeated person.
02:27 And don't let anybody lose that self-confidence.
02:33 A person who makes you lose that self-confidence is your enemy.
02:36 That's it.
02:40 In 1944-45, you made your debut.
02:45 45, 45, 45-46 and in 47, India-Pakistan was divided.
02:50 And I came from Lahore. And my college was in Lahore.
02:54 I went back to Lahore two years ago.
02:57 And after 55 years, I came to the same college.
03:00 So that's my story. There's a lot to say, a lot to say, a lot to say.
03:05 Mumbai has changed a lot. I am the first inhabitant of Mumbai.
03:11 Bombay, Bombay was, those days, Bombay presidency.
03:14 Gujarat and Maharashtra were one at that time.
03:17 All these changes have come in front of my eyes.
03:20 All the political changes. Good or bad, only time will tell.
03:23 It's very difficult for me to say right now.
03:25 Because I am not a political man. But time will tell you.
03:28 People consider you to be the most stylish actor. What do you consider yourself to be?
03:33 I consider myself to be myself.
03:41 I don't know what style is.
03:46 I am talking to you right now, if I have a style or not.
03:49 And I am what I am on the screen. Totally.
03:54 So maybe this is what people like.
03:56 So some people like what I like.
03:59 Although I am not perfect. Nobody is perfect.
04:02 And perfection is nowhere.
04:04 There are many bad things in someone.
04:07 And there is a good thing that looks very good.
04:11 That person looks outstanding.
04:13 And there are many good things in someone.
04:15 There is a bad thing that looks very bad.
04:19 That person is a bad person.
04:21 So evidently, whatever I am, people must have liked me.
04:26 And I am very honest with myself when I am playing my roles.
04:29 And I am very honest with my profession.
04:32 And I think a lot about my work.
04:36 And I do it with a lot of thought.
04:38 I do it with a lot of thought.
04:41 I am not perfect.
04:44 But over the years, while working, I get a strange experience.
04:51 I am educated, I am a graduate, I am aware.
04:54 I have travelled the world, I have met people, I read books.
04:57 I am a writer, I am enlightened.
05:00 So I want to tell the world what I feel in that enlightenment.
05:04 If I don't say it now, when will I say it?
05:06 After so much experience, someone's experience came.
05:09 I have to make a film.
05:10 My career started in 45.
05:12 You are talking to me in 2001.
05:15 How long was the stardom.
05:18 In 49, the Nafketan started.
05:21 People came and went and came and went.
05:23 How many people took a break.
05:24 And I cast people, I enjoy it.
05:28 And every film I make, in my opinion, is better than the previous film.
05:31 I don't know what the world says about it.
05:34 Maybe the world is left behind.
05:36 It is possible.
05:37 But when such a story is made, I will make it.
05:42 If it ever comes in the grip, then 25 years, people will not forget.
05:44 I will tell you.
05:45 Anyway, the film I made, people will not forget.
05:48 People are different.
05:51 Every film has a thought, a life experience.
05:55 I enjoy it.
05:56 And I have the facility, I have the knowledge.
05:58 I want to make it.
05:59 Why won't I make it?
06:00 Who is going to stop me?
06:02 Democracy is there, democracy is there.
06:04 No one else makes it.
06:06 And there is no one in courage.
06:07 People are afraid, they are afraid.
06:09 They are afraid of their fame.
06:10 They are afraid of losing money.
06:13 So I was like that.
06:16 I went to Pune for 400 rupees.
06:19 400 rupees per month.
06:20 I am a rich man.
06:23 No one can harm me.
06:25 I am so rich that I am the richest in the world.
06:29 I have so much experience.
06:31 That is why I always want to say something.
06:33 I read and see what I think.
06:35 I say what I think.
06:37 I don't ask anyone, I ask my mind.
06:40 I ask my mind, I knock and knock.
06:44 Negative and cross in counts total.
06:47 I knock and go.
06:49 Because there is only one person who grows.
06:51 The rest are followers.
06:53 They go behind the flag.
06:54 There are so many opinion makers.
06:56 99.9% leaders, 99.9% followers.
07:00 Flock of sheep.
07:04 Which one works, which one doesn't work.
07:05 Neither you can say, nor can I say.
07:07 Neither the film maker knows.
07:09 There is a vibration about the film.
07:11 It takes the picture.
07:13 But if there is a little difference, it feels good.
07:16 If you want to say something, you should say it.
07:17 It is fun.
07:18 I am making Love and Times Square.
07:20 It is a love story, it will definitely work.
07:22 The element of love is such an emotion that every person has.
07:28 Who does not have love?
07:30 There is no controversy in this.
07:32 There is controversy in a thematic film.
07:36 If you catch a theme, it may be that the theme has to be taken up by people.
07:40 But when we have caught love, then there is love in people's hearts.
07:44 They will like it.
07:46 Love and Times Square is an Indian name.
07:49 Heart beats in love.
07:51 And whose heart does not beat?
07:53 In love.
07:55 Anand, the film maker and the actor, which one is more important to you?
08:01 Film maker.
08:02 Because it is the ultimate film maker.
08:04 An actor came, did the work and left.
08:07 Who made him do the work?
08:10 Script, role, director, camera man photographed.
08:15 Editor edited.
08:17 The film maker is the medium of the director.
08:21 And the director is the one who takes his idea and moves ahead.
08:25 For whom he feels and develops it.
08:28 Director is a big thing.
08:29 It is not an ordinary thing.
08:30 There are many directors.
08:32 But the meaning of a director is that you should have knowledge of acting, writing, screenplay, mass mind, poetry, photography, lyrics, prose.
08:41 What is the trend of the world?
08:43 You are handling 50,000 people in the crowd scene.
08:48 If you are not a leader, you cannot handle it.
08:50 That is my definition of a director.
08:54 It is not that a director comes and gets someone to fight, get someone to sing.
08:59 He takes four stars, joins two films and the film hits.
09:02 The world is crazy. The world knows nothing.
09:05 Do you consider Guide as your best performance on set?
09:12 People say so.
09:13 I will not make this comment.
09:15 If people like it, it will be good.
09:18 And if I sit on it and say that I have shot a lot in Guide, what is the matter?
09:22 Guide can make a big film. I always try. Who knows?
09:26 I am still living, still surviving.
09:29 I am still making pictures. You never know.
09:31 So don't underestimate me.
09:33 I am quite conscious.
09:35 I have to beat my standards.
09:37 I have to do it in acting, performance, direction, writing.
09:40 Every time my subject matter is different.
09:43 Censor was a fantastic picture.
09:46 The thought of Censor that I have taken,
09:48 no one has the courage to take it.
09:50 I took it without hesitation.
09:54 I have to say something about Censor that is in my heart.
09:58 But the problem of Censor was that it is not an identification in people's mind.
10:03 It is not a problem of people.
10:05 People's problem is eating, drinking, divorce, love, sister-in-law, brother.
10:10 These are problems of human mind.
10:12 They identify themselves.
10:14 They are separated. They are in love.
10:17 Censor is a very high-flown problem of a thought for a country, which I said.
10:22 And I said it. And the Censor passed it.
10:24 And the very fact that Censor passed it is my victory.
10:27 If there is a debate on censorship, go and watch my film.
10:32 I have said something that the world will watch.
10:35 And I was prepared for it.
10:36 Which means I am a courageous man.
10:38 I had the courage of saying something which I wanted to say and I said it.
10:44 So, it is a big hit to my mind.
10:47 And in writing, I think it is one of my best pieces.
10:50 I think I worked very hard.
10:52 Everyone has a difference of opinion.
10:56 If someone says something, it is very easy to destroy.
10:59 Very easy to criticize.
11:00 It is so difficult to construct.
11:02 (Question)
11:17 This is not right.
11:19 There are many good actors in the industry who are established.
11:24 I would like to make a film with them.
11:26 But it will take me three years to make a film.
11:28 This is the first thing.
11:30 And then I will go to their house and say, work in my film.
11:33 Give me three days in a month.
11:36 Give me four days.
11:37 It does not suit me.
11:38 There is so much talent in the world in India who do not get a break.
11:43 If Dev Anand gives, he is such a great man.
11:45 Do people give?
11:47 They do not give.
11:48 They were also stars in some time.
11:52 The ones who we give a break, they will also be stars after four years.
11:56 They will think that Dev sir gave us a break.
11:59 Is this a contribution or not?
12:00 And it is not a joke to work with new people.
12:03 You have to have knowledge.
12:05 You have to have experience.
12:06 You have to be very well experienced to be able to take work out of newcomers.
12:11 Absolutely raw.
12:12 And take risks.
12:13 The one who takes risks, he takes risks in good things.
12:17 He is a very great man.
12:18 (Question)
12:25 I gave him a break.
12:27 (Question)
12:29 We were friends.
12:31 I was new and he was new.
12:32 We said that when we produce a film, we will give you a scope of direction.
12:35 He said that we will also become directors and make you a star.
12:37 I formed Navketan and Guru Dutt was in Prabhat.
12:40 An assistant to Vishram Bedega.
12:42 He is a young boy and I liked him.
12:44 We are great friends.
12:45 So I invited him.
12:46 The game is being planned.
12:47 You come and make the game.
12:48 And he made the game a hit.
12:49 It became.
12:50 He established himself.
12:51 I am proud.
12:52 So, Navketan did not give anyone a break.
12:57 There is only one institution.
12:58 1949 to even now.
13:00 1949, officer, game onwards.
13:04 To now, Love at Times Square.
13:06 How many films?
13:07 How many crores of rupees I must have invested in this?
13:10 How many workers must have grown up?
13:12 How many stars must have been made?
13:14 Females, males, music directors, physicists.
13:17 There is a lot in it.
13:19 Otherwise, people stop after making four films.
13:21 They change the name of their company.
13:23 This happens.
13:25 Now my son will work.
13:26 Navketan is there.
13:27 I am still alive.
13:28 I am talking to you.
13:29 Navketan is there.
13:31 There is no bigger institution than this.
13:34 Nowhere in the world.
13:35 MGM is over.
13:36 Fox is over.
13:37 Prabhat is gone.
13:38 Fragment is gone.
13:39 So we are there.
13:40 I don't know what is the matter.
13:41 Maybe it is your blessing.
13:42 Or people have good wishes.
13:44 I don't know.
13:45 Or a big blessing of my inner self.
13:49 I have a blessing that Dev carry on.
13:51 Nothing will happen to you.
13:52 My mind is so strong.
13:53 I am totally motivated.
13:54 He is my God.
13:55 He is my God.
13:56 Is he God?
13:57 Where is God?
13:58 Have you seen him?
13:59 Have you seen him in the temple?
14:00 No.
14:01 It is God's feeling.
14:02 You go with that feeling.
14:04 You get excited with that feeling.
14:06 My feeling is here.
14:08 You became a director after 'Viren Pujari'.
14:14 Yes.
14:15 Do you think it was a welcome addition to the actor inside you?
14:18 I wanted to.
14:20 When an actor becomes a big star,
14:22 he gets lost.
14:24 He doesn't get good roles.
14:25 Other people catch him.
14:27 They push him from behind and make him a big star.
14:29 At that time, your growth is if you have the ability to write,
14:33 direction,
14:34 if you have learned mechanics,
14:36 you should switch over.
14:37 That's your prolongation of your own creative activity.
14:43 Otherwise,
14:44 a star comes,
14:45 stays for 15 years,
14:46 ends,
14:47 new guys come,
14:48 people forget.
14:49 People forget K.L. Sehgal,
14:50 people forget Preeti Raj,
14:51 people forget him,
14:52 people forget the Prime Minister.
14:54 But you are doing some creative work.
14:56 A star is not creative.
14:57 He is alive only by his acting.
14:59 A creative person is the one who wrote a role for a star.
15:02 He performed.
15:04 It is a great thing.
15:06 And the story he writes is a novelist.
15:08 He gives thought to the world.
15:10 And the world follows his thought.
15:12 So I think every strong actor,
15:14 when he becomes a very strong star,
15:16 his natural growth is to make his own pictures.
15:20 If he has the faculty,
15:22 those who haven't,
15:23 they retire as actors.
15:24 Those who have it,
15:25 they outgrow their status.
15:27 Finally, how would you describe Dev Anand?
15:32 As Dev Anand.
15:34 You have taken my interview.
15:39 And many people are listening to this interview.
15:44 And many people will watch it.
15:46 And you ask them,
15:50 Have you listened to and watched this interview of Dev Sir?
15:52 What do you think about Dev Anand?
15:54 Ask them.
15:56 (Music)
16:00 (dramatic music)