Today, the Bollywood industry is shining bright on the global stage for its jaw-dropping style and fashion, and the credit for beginning that style era goes to Dev Anand, the debonair hero. Dharamdev Pishorimal Anand who charmed a few generations of fans with his style and energized co-workers with his enthusiasm, filled our lives with colors courtesy of his mind-blowing and tremendous acting performances. There is no denying the fact that, his true matinee idol's good looks, suave demeanor, and charismatic screen presence made his fans swoon every time he made an on-screen performance. To honor the legendary actor, who ruled the silver screen for more than 6 decades, here we are compiling a list of 10 marvelous movies of Dev Anand that made him an icon:
1. Baazi: This was the movie that made Dev Anand the star of the golden Bollywood era. The movie portraying the dark realm of the underworld, captures him playing a hardcore gambler who takes up the danger to bear the expenses of his sick sister. Directed by Guru Dutt, this film casts Dev Anand, Kalpana Kartik, Geeta Bali, Roopa Verman, and K.N. Singh in lead roles.
2. Jaal: This movie was the darkest and the most religious movie of Dev Anand’s career in its own tone. It abounds with the Christian themes of love and forgiveness. Dev Anand played the complete anti-hero in the film who only gets reformed in the climax. This movie was undoubtedly a treat for the eyes but sadly the Indian audience was not ready to experience something like this.
3. Kala Paani: Kala Paani exhibits one of the most iconic on-screen performances of Dev Anand’s career. He played the angst-ridden son of a man who used his wits and fits to get his innocent father get out of jail. The movie is a remake of the 1955 Bengali film Sabar Upaarey which itself was based on A.J. Cronin's 1953 novel Beyond This Place.
4. CID: The movie moves around the investigation of the murder of Shrivastav, who tries to expose the link of a rich man to the underworld. While the chief inspector played by Dev Anand tries to find the culprit but gets trapped himself. Helmed by Raj Khosla, this film casts Shakila, Waheeda Rehman, Johny Walker, and K.N. Singh alongside Dev Anand.
5. Kala Bazaar: This film narrates the challenges a black marketer faces when he falls in love with someone who absolutely hates black money. Directed by Vijay Anand, this film starred Dev Anand, Waheeda Rehman, Nanda, and Rashid Khan in lead roles. This action-romantic drama was released in the year 1960.
6. Bombai Ka Babu: This movie was undoubtedly a tragic love story that gave a hint of incest in it. Dev Anand plays a young man who poses as a family's long last son but things get Iffy when he falls in love with his supposed sister.
7. Hum Dono: In this film, one of the two look-alike soldiers dies in a battle. When the other one goes to inform the family, they presume him to be the dead one. All this leads to only confusion and chaos. Hum Dono was jointly directed by Vijay Anand and Amarjeet that starred Nanda, Sadhna Shivdasani, and Lalita Pawar opposite Dev Anand.
8. Guide: Guide was one of the most inspiring movies of Dev Anand’s entire career. Directed jointly by Vijay Anand and Tad Danielewski, this film talks about how a tourist guide encounters a married woman who wants to pursue her passion for dance. He later helps her to do so, but the man’s mind changes after she becomes successful, and things get worse.
9. Jewel Thief: This film narrates how a young man is always mistaken for a jewel thief who looks exactly similar to him. To drag himself out of the situation and clear all the false suspicions, he joins hands with the police to get hold of the actual thief. This film stars Dev Anand alongside Ashok Kumar, Vyjayanthimala, and Tanju in lead roles.
10. Hare Rama Hare Krishan: This movie witnessed the debut of Dev Anand as a director. With Zeenat Aman and Mumtaz in lead, the movie narrates how a young man embarks on a difficult journey and goes looking for his lost sister in Kathmandu. Indian audiences got disappointed after this because the movie was truly based on hippie culture, drug addiction, and divorce.
