There is an interesting story behind your first meeting with Dev Anand.
his son Sunil Anand took me to meet him. I think he saw an advertisement of mine in the morning and so when I was standing in front of him with his son he said, “Suba subah saw your picture, in the evening you are standing in front of me. Tumke ek roll dega main (I) Saw your picture in the morning and you are standing in front of me in the evening. I will give you a role). And then he offered me a role. It was so fast that I didn’t even realize it. I got the role of the second lead. Obviously hai, lead the dev saab. and then after 15 days he called me. so i went to meet him again. he said i have given the role to mithun but still there is a role for you. second lead hero se i shakti kapoor Sir Tak became the second lead villain. I got demotion in 15 days (I was removed in 15 days)…
did you protest?
For me it was the blessings of Dev Saheb that his hands were on my head. He laid the foundation for my acting career. He sowed the seeds.
After working with him, in which role did you like Dev Anand, director or actor the most?
Dev Saab was just magic as a co-actor and director. He took care of me like a child and guided me throughout. Being with a legend like this you can’t be judgmental. He was a legend who gave me a chance to act in his film and it was magic to watch him.
Have you imbibed any qualities or habits of Dev Anand?
I might have absorbed something because Khalid Mohammed said in his first interview that he (Jackie) is like Dev Anand; His speech and everything. Subconsciously, I certainly imbibed his behavior. My mother used to style my hair like her. I loved his songs. He has always been my hero, whom I used to look up to. My mother used to think that I am like Dev Saheb. My mother used to love Dev Saheb and Dharmendra.
How do you see your journey with Dev Anand?
It was beautiful, a smooth flow. When you were with Dev Saheb, no one would have guessed how the time passed. We used to learn from him. I got to see his style so closely; Mera naseeb tha (it was destiny). I worked with him in about four to five films. He always used to take me in his films. he would say pahado mein Jayenge Chitra Banenge (We will go to the mountains and make films). And I used to be ready to go with him. I will request other manufacturers and adjust my dates for them; To do for the boss is the position (you have to make an exception for the boss). I had become a star but I used to be in every one of his films so my relationship with him was always there.
You were a part of many of his films, what did he like about you?
I don’t really know but he always took me in his films and I was honored to be with him. I never asked him but as I told you in the beginning, in my first meeting with him he said that he liked my style.
There are many contrasting stories about how Dev Anand behaved on the sets. Some have said that he was reserved, others that he was always in turmoil. What was your experience like?
He never sat down, always stood and directed and was always active. I remember there is a structure in Panchgani which has a black wall, which is 15 feet high. He climbed up and asked the cameraman to take a close up. The cameraman asked sir kaise chaddha main (how can I get up there)? Dev Saheb said that if I can climb then why can’t you? Sir was the youngest.
Any memories of Dev Anand that have stayed with you?
My first meeting with him and the statement I told you, saw your picture in the morning and you are in front of me in the evening (saw your picture in the morning and you are standing in front of me in the evening). Also there was an action scene which I had to do but I couldn’t. Fight Master got angry with me. Dev Saheb intervened and said, take it easy, there is a new boy, seek jayega, usko batao kaise karne hai (he’s a new kid, he’ll learn, teach him how it’s done), don’t yell at him. This is what I learned from him and I apply it in my case to any junior who comes into the industry. I treat him like my child.
Would you ever want to remake a Dev Anand film?
Almost all his movies like ‘Tere Mere Sapne’, ‘Guide’, ‘Hare’ Ram Hare Krishna‘. He asked me to direct a film for Navketan films. He told me that I will be with you, direct a film for us.
Did he mean to give you advice?
I am surprised that he has written one and a half pages for me in his book too. In his 60-year career in films, he wrote a page on me. There were many people but he wrote those two pages for me. He autographed me and wrote that there is a touch of spirituality in our relationship. I have loved him since childhood and I am lucky that I got a chance to work with him.
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