Dev Anand

Dev Anand was born as Dharam Dev on September 26, 1923, in the Punjabi-speaking Anand family, son to Advocate Pishorimal, younger brother to Chetan and Manmohan, and senior to Vijay. He had one sister, Sheela, who was subsequently married in the Kapur family, and gave birth to actor/film-maker, Shekhar Kapur; two daughters, Neelu, who was married to actor Navin Nischol; and Aruna who was the wife of Ajay/Parikshat Sahni, son of renowned Balraj Sahni. Both Neelu and Aruna have since been divorced.

Dev graduated from Government College, Lahore, British India, left his hometown to work in the Military Censor Office at Churchgate, Bombay. He was offered a role in the 1946 flick 'Hum Ek Hain'. This is where he stuck a friendship with Bollywood legend Guru Dutt.

Ashok Kumar introduced Dev as a leading man opposite Kamini Kaushal in 'Ziddi'. Thereafter there has been no looking back for the 'evegreen' Dev Anand, who went on to star in over 110 movies, spanning from 1946 through to 2005.

In 1954 Dev met Mona Singh, a beauty queen from Simla, who was discovered by his brother, Chetan, and both got married her in a quiet ceremony in Russia where they were on a tour to screen 'Rahee' and 'Aandhiyan'. She adapted the screen name of Kalpana Kartik, and starred opposite her to-be-husband in all her movies. Both became parents in 1956 when Suneil was born. They also become parents to a daughter, Devina.

Dev is also known for introducing two of the most beautiful actresses to Bollywood, namely Zeenat Aman in 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna' and Tina Munim in 'Des Pardes.

Not easily intimidated, Dev Anand, Shatrughan Sinha, Inder Sen Johar, Kishore Kumar were amongst the few that actually stood up against the authoritarian and oppressive regime of Indira Gandhi during the Emergency, while many in the opposition preferred to flee India to escape Mrs. Gandhi's wrath. He founded the now extinct National Party of India.

He was honored with the Padma Bhushan and Dadasaheb Palke awards during the years 2001 and 2002 respectively, in addition to winning three Filmfare Awards - one each for his performance in 'Kala Paani' and 'Guide'; and the third being the Lifetime Achievement award that was presented to him during 1991. During 1996 he received the 'Screen Videocon Lifetime Achievement' Award.

His autobiography 'Romancing with Life' was released during his 2007 birthday party. In February 2011 his 1961 hit 'Hum Dono' was colorized and re-released.

source : imdb