Those were charmed days, the last three years of the twentieth century, and the first three years of the new millenium. Along with my doctoral studies, I was a rookie journalist with such established newspapers as 'The New Indian Express', ' The Hindu' and the 'Newstime' of the Eenadu group. And, oh, yes, I had gotten the assignments sheerly on the basis of my writerly merit, in a place where I knew none! Even when I was a freelancer, I used to write at least one article literally every day for the Features' Desk.
As a young woman, it was quite a high that I was the go-to person when it came to many, many themes. One of my regular duties was to review films, film festivals, et al. It was thus that I saw him at a premier of one of his films, most probably, his last, under his Navketan Banners.
At eighty plus, he was his own usual jaunty self, dressed impeccably, on his Sunday best behaviour. After the show, he was ready for a presseur. As fresh as a daisy. The film, well, he had tried his level best, but a new, different kind of filmography for a totally different kind of audience was the demand and command of the hour. Literally, there was a cultural shift.
He had not changed though. The debonair unflapped hero of the yesteryears. Dev Anand. Honestly, during the press meet, I felt both awe and pity for him. Awe for his genuine sincerity, and pity for his failed attempt to remain relevant in times that were absolutely different from his heydays.
Anyways, I have always admired Dev Anand for taking up different, nay, difficult challenges, such as film noirs, right at the beginning of his career. I also like his remaining true to his promise, and giving a chance to Guru Dutt whom everyone else was in a hurry to write off. I admire his attempt to keep his personal life private as proven by his dignified silence over the Suraiya connect.
Values of/from times absolutely bygone! Now are the times when the older you are, younger you pretend to prove yourself to be, at least half your age! Unlike such supposedly young at heart oldies, Dev Anand belongs to an era when dignity mattered. Sure he started working when my parents would have just left the portals of primary school. Yet his persona appears relevant to the thoughtful even today.
Hence this piece on him on October 1, the day dedicated to senior citizens!
Pratima@ In an India for a long time boasting of the so-called demographic dividend, missing is such finesse, such professionalism, such commitment to a work ethic! Long live the senior citizens! Such old is indeed gold!
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