Dev Anand was born as Dharamdev Pishorimal Anand on September 26, 1923, in Shakargarh, Punjab, (now Narowal District, Punjab, Pakistan) hailed from a Punjabi-speaking family. His father, Pishori Lal Anand was a prominent lawyer in Gurdaspur District Court and his mother was a homemaker.

• Parents:
  Pishori Lal Anand (Father)
• Siblings:
  Vijay Anand
  Chetan Anand
  Manmohan Anand
  Sheel Kanta Kapur
  Usha Madhok
  Bonnie Sareen
• Spouse:
  Kalpana Kartik
• Children:
  Suneil Anand
  Devina Anand
• Relatives:
  Anand-Sahni family

Studied at Sacred Heart School, Dalhousie, and later at Government College Dharamshala. Developed a passion for literature and theatre.

Graduated with a BA in English Literature from Government College, Lahore. Joined the Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA) and nurtured his acting aspirations.

In 1946, Dev Anand debuted with a lead role in “Hum Ek Hain.”

Dev Anand’s first commercial success was “Ziddi” and gained recognition.

Moved to Mumbai with dreams of film stardom. Faced initial struggles, working odd jobs at the military censor’s office and an accounting firm.

Dev Anand’s first blockbuster film “Bazzi” gained him immense recognition and put him on his road to stardom. The film starred Dev Anand, Geeta Bali and Kalpana Karthik, directed by Guru Dutt and the movie became a trendsetter for in the 1950s.

In 1954, Dev Anand married actress Kalpana Kartik, originally from Shimla, in a private ceremony during the shooting of their film “Taxi Driver.”

The couple has two children; a son, Suneil Anand, born in 1956, and a daughter, Devina Anand.

Anand was banned from donning a black suit in public at the height of his popularity because it made women drool over him. When he used to wear a black suit, his insane female followers would start sending him messages that were written in their blood and jumping from buildings.

Dev Anand became very politically active once the Emergency was announced in 1975. He led a group of film personalities who stood up against the Internal Emergency imposed by the then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi.

He actively campaigned against her with his supporters in the Indian parliamentary elections in 1977. He also formed a party called the National Party of India, which he later disbanded.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Prime Minister of India, embarked on a historic bus journey from Delhi to Lahore to enhance relations with Pakistan. 

Among the Indian celebrities and dignitaries on this inaugural trip was the legendary actor Dev Anand. His presence was especially significant, as Dev Anand was a favorite of Nawaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Pakistan at the time.

“Romancing with Life” is Dev Anand’s autobiography that delves into his extraordinary life story, encompassing his upbringing in Punjab, challenges faced in Bombay, rise to fame, and relationships with family and peers. Through a blend of anecdotes, humor, and reflections on life and cinema, the book provides readers with a unique perspective on the iconic actor. 

Interestingly, “Romancing with Life” was launched at a birthday celebration attended by the Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, adding to the significance of the event and highlighting the widespread appeal and influence of Dev Anand’s memoir.

Dev Anand passed away at the age of 88 on December 3, 2011, due to a cardiac arrest in his room at The Washington Mayfair Hotel, London.

• Dev Anand was a die-hard fan of the legendary Charlie Chaplin. When Anand met Chaplin at the latter’s residence in Switzerland in 1954, as a tribute to the evergreen classic The Great Dictator (1940), Anand greeted Chaplin with a Nazi salute and proclaimed “Heil Chaplin.” A delighted Chaplin responded, “Welcome to my White House.”
• Dev Anand’s first color film, Guide with Waheeda Rehman was based on the novel of the same name by R. K. Narayan. Dev Anand himself was the impetus for making the film version of the book. He met and persuaded Narayan to give his assent to the project. Dev Anand tapped his friends in Hollywood to launch an Indo-US co-production that was shot in Hindi and English simultaneously and was released in 1965. Guide, directed by younger brother Vijay Anand, was an acclaimed movie. Dev played Raju, a voluble guide, who supports Rosy (Waheeda) in her bid for freedom. He is not above thoughtlessly exploiting her for personal gains. Combining style with substance, he gave an affecting performance as a man grappling with his emotions in his passage through love, shame, and salvation.
  Johny Mera Naam, again a thriller, in which Dev Anand was paired opposite Hema Malini was a huge blockbuster. In fact, it was the biggest blockbuster in Indian cinema till that date. It was Johnny Mera Naam who made Hema Malini a big star.
• He marked a significant milestone in his career with the directorial effort of “Hare Rama Hare Krishna.” The film, known for its exploration of societal issues and the hippie culture, showcased Anand’s versatility as a filmmaker. This film remains a timeless classic in Indian cinema, reflecting Anand’s storytelling prowess and ability to address contemporary themes. Zeenat Aman his find became an overnight sensation.
• In the two decades following the 1970s, Dev Anand continued to pursue his passion for cinema, both as an actor and director, delivering a series of films that reflected his undying love for storytelling. He directed and starred in "Des Pardes" (1978), a film about immigration, followed by the musical comedy "Man Pasand" (1980). In 1980, he also directed the action-packed film “Lootmaar.”
• In "Swami Dada" (1982), Dev Anand took on the role of a spiritual guru, blending philosophy with action. He then worked on "Anand Aur Anand" (1984), which featured his son Suneil Anand, marking a family collaboration. His thriller "Hum Naujawan" (1985), where he portrayed a college principal seeking justice for a student, highlighted his commitment to socially relevant themes.
• The late 1980s and early 1990s saw him directing and acting in films like "Lashkar" (1989), an action drama, "Sachche Ka Bolbala" (1989), "Pyaar Ka Tarsana" (1990), and "Gangster" (1994), all showcasing his undeterred creativity. Lastly, he revisited a classic with "Return of Jewel Thief" (1996), a sequel to his famous 1967 film “Jewel Thief,” reaffirming his everlasting charm in the industry.