MUMBAI: Commemorating 89th birthday of the evergreen superstar Dev Anand, bollywood music channel 9X Jalwa has initiated day long special programming tomorrow.
The channel will feature some of his chart-topping tracks like ‘Gata rahe mera dil’, ‘Main zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya’, ‘Dum Maaro Dum’, ‘Khoya khoya chand’ amongst others in different time bands throughout the day. ‘Jee le dobara’ (2-3pm and 11pm-12am) and ‘Dil Se’ (8-11pm) will feature his tracks of various genres ranging from romantic to peppy.
The 88-year-old veteran of Indian cinema passed away last year in December following a cardiac arrest.
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In a career spanningover 65 years, Anand worked with the best lyricists and musicians ranging from composers like Sachin Dev Burman, O P Nayyar and Rahul Dev Burman and lyricists including Majrooh Sultanpuri, Shailendra, Neeraj, Shailendra, and playback singers Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar. He has countless hits to his credit including those like Paying Guest, Baazi, Jewel Thief, CID, Johny Mera Naam, Amir Garib, Warrant, Hare Rama Hare Krishna and Des Pardes.
Anand’s son Suniel will also bring in the birthday of his late father tomorrow to celebrate his achievements, and plans to announce a film, helmed by him under the Navketan banner to carry forward the legacy of the evergreen actor.
Last year on his birthday, Dev Anand had called his friends over and cut a cake at his favourite hotel in suburban Mumbai. This year too, Suniel will host a get together at the same place – Sun and Sand hotel.
“We will celebrate his birthday this year as well. He is still with us in our hearts. He is a source of inspiration to me and several others. On this (birthday) occasion we will celebrate his life and achievements,” son Suniel told in an interview.
A few rare pictures from Dev Anand’s personal album will be on display for media and fans.
“We will have some rare photographers of dad in size of 5 foot by 3 foot. We have selected some unique photos that we will display like — dad in action during his various shoots, on his travel all over the world while he was attending film premiere, while he was writing, meeting famous people etc.
“It will be a unique event. We will have close friends and fans, who used to regularly every year come to wish him on his birthday. Those close to dad will speak a few words about their association and share fond memories,” Suniel said.
However, friends and colleagues of the legendary actor-filmmaker from the industry won’t be part of the occasion tomorrow.
The special occasion will also see Suniel announce a film that he will be producing and directing. Before Dev Anand’s demise he was writing a script and had been in conversation with a Hollywood studio. But unfortunately, his dream remained unfulfilled. Suniel will be completing this film. But the one that Suniel would be announcing tomorrow is not the same script.
“I would be directing, producing it and also acting in the movie. I can’t reveal the title of the film as I would be announcing it tomorrow. All I can say it will be an action-thriller with a few known and established stars and few upcoming actors,” he said.
The film will go on floors this December and will be released by next year.
Apart from making films, Suniel revealed there will be a museum in honour of the late actor. “We will have a museum where we will have dad’s belongings. From pens to his signature outfits like caps, scarfs, jackets to his rare posters that will be put on display at the museum for everyone,” he said.
