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88 Facts You Didn't Know About Dev Anand -- II
Continuing with the nine-part series, we bring the second batch of lesser known facts about Dev Anand's life. Click here to read the first part.
1. Hare Ram Hare Krishna helped a father reconcile with his runaway daughter
Apart from bringing attention to the booming hippie culture of the 1970s, Dev Anand's Hare Rama Hare Krishna helped an estranged father, living in the US, reconcile with his runaway daughter after he spotted her in one of the song sequences and traced her whereabouts.
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2. Bought the iconic chekered cap in Denmark
The iconic, checkered print cap worn by Dev Anand in Jewel Thief was purchased from a shop in Copenhagen, Denmark where he was filming Pyar Mohabbat with Saira Bano.
3. Turned down Junglee and Teesri Manzil
Dev Anand was the original choice for both -- Subodh Mukherjee's Junglee and Nasir Hussain's Teesri Manzil.
Owing to differences with the makers, however, he turned down both the offers.
Dev's loss turned out to be Shammi Kapoor's gain since both films turned out to be milestones in the recently deceased Yahoo star's career.
4. Bagged Filmfare best actor award for Kalapani and Guide
It's but natural that a star of Dev Anand's stature won several awards.
From Best Actor Filmfare trophies for Kala Pani and Guide to prestigious laurels like Padma Bhushan and Dadasaheb Phalke awards, he bagged them all.
5. Married Kalpana Karthik while working on Taxi Driver
Dev Anand tied the knot with his leading lady, Kalpana Kartik while they were still working on Taxi Driver.
The duo opted for a discreet registered marriage over an elaborate ceremony.
6. Films closest to his heart
Among the 100 plus films he has worked on, Guide, Hare Ram Hare Krishna, Des Pardes and Hum Dono are closest to his heart.
7. Chance meeting with Gregory Peck
While in Rome, Dev Anand bumped into Gregory Peck, the Hollywood star he was relentlessly compared to, on the sets of Roman Holiday.
Incidentally, Peck was filming the legendary Spanish Steps sequence with co-star Audrey Hepburn.
8. Admired Ashok Kumar
He may have drawn comparisons with Gregory Peck but it is Ashok Kumar he truly admired.
Dev Anand aspired to become a performer in Dadamoni's class, awed by his work in films like Achhut Kanya and Kismat.
Later on, the senior star signed up Dev to play a romantic role in Ziddi opposite top heroine, Kamini Kaushal.
The film was a bona fide hit and launched Dev Anand into the big league.
9. Never worked with Amitabh Bachchan
It's startling how Dev Anand has worked with everyone from Dilip Kumar and Ashok Kumar to Mithun Chakraborty and Aamir Khan, all except Amitabh Bachchan, who gained stardom after signing on Prakash Mehra's Zanjeer, originally offered to DA.
10. Worked closely with family
Never too shy to promote talent within his family, Dev Anand gave break to son -- Suneil in Anand Hi Anand as well as nephew, Shekhar Kapur in Ishq Ishq Ishq under his banner, Navketan formed in collaboration with elder brother Chetan.
Whereas their youngest brother, Vijay aka Goldie contributed to Navketan with some of his most acclaimed works -- Nau Do Gyarah, Guide, Johny Mera Naam, Tere Mere Sapne and Jewel Thief.