Dev Anand died yesterday. I feel more alone than ever. But then I remembered the funeral procession in Akira Kurosawa's film 'Dreams' where people sing and dance behind the funeral cortege, with flowers in their hands. They are celebrating the fact that that they got to meet such a man during their lifetime, receive the immense gift that was him. It is a procession of gratitude.
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October 2007
"As long as you are excited about things, you're young!"
So he said, arms flung wide, eyes blazing, during the release of his autobiography - "Romancing with Life" - here in Bangalore today. Dev Anand just turned 84 last week. Actor, living legend, inspiration to millions.
I celebrate this man's birthday every year [reminded of the exact date by my dear friend Srini]. I haven't seen half of his films, I don't have any memorablia. What I celebrate is his spirit, his enthusiasm, his energy, his belief that as long as one is alive, it's never too late.
A spirit which he displayed on stage today, so that you soon forgot you are looking at a bent wrinkled old man of 84. If this is youth, I don't think I meet many young people these days.
While signing the book of the man in front of me, he suddenly looked sideways and met my eyes in the crowd milling around him , and smiled at me - for no reason. A deep warm eye-holding smile. As if he knew I was ashamed that I was losing my enthusiasm, me who used to be called Dev Anand at my earlier workplace.
Last week, on 26th Sep, on his 84th birthday, I had treated my friends to dinner. The waiters were so taken up with the fact, they brought a lit candle and sparklers and a free drink, as if he was present there. I did not tell him that when I met him, when he was signing my copy of his autobiography, as I had planned to.
I need to continue living his spirit, his excitement for life. Like the old handicapped asthmatic man with crutches, who sat next to me in that roomful of complete strangers. He thanked Dev - for he had been living by his inspiration for the last 60 years, and had therefore succeeded in living a normal life, struggling beyond his limitations, led by the never-say-die spirit of this man he finally gets to shake hands with.
That is the only celebration worthy of this man.
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Photos of this meeting, and our many Dev Anand birthday celebrations, here.
