London: Legend Dev Anand dies after cardiac arrest

New Delhi: Legendary actor Dev Anand, the 'evergreen romantic superstar' of Indian cinema, died in London on Saturday night following a cardiac arrest. He was 88.

According to reports, Dev Anand died in his sleep at the Washington Mayfair Hotel where he was staying. The hotel is owned by local Indian businessman Joginder Sangar.

His son Sunil Anand had accompanied him to London for treatment. The hotel staff called an ambulance after family alerted them, but he died before he could be taken to hospital.

The 'evergreen romantic superstar' of Indian cinema died in London on Saturday night following a cardiac arrest. He was 88.
Dev Anand, who was in London for medical check up was not keeping well for the last few days, family sources said.
Dev Anand made his debut as an actor in 1946 in 'Hum Ek Hain'. By the time his 'Ziddi' was released he was a superstar and has never looked back.
Versatile Dev Anand has given countless hits like 'Paying Guest', 'Baazi', 'Jewel Thief', 'CID', 'Johny Mera Naam', 'Amir Garib', 'Warrant', 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna' and 'Des Pardes'.
For his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema, Dev Anand was honoured with the prestigious the 'Padma Bhushan' in 2001 and 'Dada Saheb Phalke Award' in 2002.
He established his film production company 'Navketan International Films' in 1949 and has produced more than 35 movies.
'Guide' went on to win Filmfare Awards in five other categories including 'Best Film' and 'Best Director' and was sent as India's entry for the Oscars in the foreign film category that year.
Dharam Dev Anand was one of the most loved Bolywood actor and filmmaker.
Dev was the second of three brothers who were actor in Hindi cinema.
Dev Anand was born in 1923.
His father Pishori Lal Anand was a well established advocate.
Dev Anand was a graduate in English Literature from Government College, Lahore, now in Pakistan.
After graduation, Dev Anand moved to Mumbai in early 1940s.
Dev Anand started his career with military censor office at Churchgate, Mumbai.
Along with his brother Chetan, Dev Anand became a member of Indian People's Theatre Association.
He was soon offered a Bollywood film 'Hum Ek Hain'.
While shooting for his film in Pune, Dev Anand became good friends with another actor Guru Dutt.
In late 40s Dev Anand got a chnace to work with Suraiya.
While shooting for the film he got romantically involved with Suraiya. They worked in seven films together.
As Suraiya was a Muslim and Dev Anand a Hindu, her family opposed this relationship. Suraiya remained unmarried all her life.
Ashok Kumar gave a big break to Dev Anand to signed him for 'Ziddi'.
His dialogue delivery and body language became his USP.
Along with Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand ruled Bollywood in 50s and early 60s.
With films like 'Manzil' and 'Tere Ghar Ke Samne', Dev Anand established his romatic hero image.
His first color film was 'Guide' with Waheeda Rehman.
After establishing himself as an actor, Dev Anand forayed into direction with Prem Pujari.
Till 1970s Dev Anand kept on playing the lead hero.
Dev Anand launched his son Suneil Anand in Bollywood with Anand Aur Anand. The film was a box office disaster and Suneil decided not to act again.
Dev Anand was politically active too.
With a group of personalities stood against the internal emergency imposed by then PM Indira Gandhi.
Dev Anand introduced many stars to the film industry, Zeenat Aman, Jackie Shroff, Tina Munim to name a few.
Dev Anand's laters films 'Hum Naujawan' (1985), 'Lashkar' (1989) and 'Awwal Number' attained moderate success.
Dev Anand directed 19 films and produced 31 films.
Dev Anand and others in a stills from the movie 'Return of Jewel Thief'.
Dev Anand was also seen in 'Love at Times Square' a 2003 film. He directed the film as well.
Dev Anand's last few releases sunk without a trace, but it didn't damper his spirits.
His last film was 'Charge Sheet', which was released in 2011.
Dev Anand with Konkona Sen Sharma and Ajay Devgn at the 50th National Awards where he was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke award, India's highest award for outstanding contributions to the Indian cinema.
Dev Anand speaks at the Gateway of India during the inauguration ceremony of 'Mumbai Festival 2007' in Mumbai January 14, 2007.
Dev Anand smiles during the launch of his film 'Mr Prime Minister' in 2005.
Dev Anand arrives with debutante actress Heenee Kaushik at the launch of the music for his film 'Censor' in Bombay on December 9, 2000.
Dev Anand and Asha Bhosle pose for a picture at a studio in Mumbai October 10, 2008.
Dev Anand was the suave and urban icon for millions of fans. (Yogen Shah)
Romancing generations of heroines from Suraiya to Hema Malini, the star of 'Guide' and 'Paying Guest' set more than just a benchmark for actors to come after him. (Yogen Shah)
He was the unchallenged king of the black and white era with movies such as 'Munimji', 'CID' and 'Hum Dono'. (Yogen Shah)
Dev Anand at an award function. (Yogen Shah)
A close aide of the deceased actor, Chandra Shekhar, (himself 89), said he was 'shaken' when he heard the news from a friend, the first thing this morning. (Yogen Shah)
Dev Anand's cremation will take place next week in London. (Yogen Shah)

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The family have issued a statement asking them to be left alone in this hour of grief.

Amitabh Bachchan on Sunday morning tweeted, "Just reading news about Dev Saheb.. praying it is not true... He was such a positive person.. never associated death with him.."

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday condoled Dev Anand's death and said, "Dev Anand was a great artiste who entertained generations of cinema lovers over five decades. He was an embodiment of a life long passion for acting and film making. I join millions of his fans in mourning his death."

UPA Chief Sonia Gandhi and Information Ambika Soni also condoled Dev Anand's death.

Dev Anand made his debut as an actor in 1946 in 'Hum Ek Hain'. By the time his 'Ziddi' was released in 1947 he was a superstar and has never looked back.

Versatile Dev Anand has given countless hits like 'Paying Guest', 'Baazi', 'Jewel Thief ', 'CID', 'Johny Mera Naam', 'Amir Garib', 'Warrant', 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna' and 'Des

Pardes'.

For his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema, Dev Anand was honoured with the prestigious the 'Padma Bhushan' in 2001 and 'Dada Saheb Phalke Award' in 2002.

He established his film production company 'Navketan International Films' in 1949 and has produced more than 35 movies.

Dev Anand won two Filmfare Awards - India's equivalent of the Oscars - in 1958 for his performance in the film 'Kala Paani' (Black Water) and in 1966 for his performance in 'Guide'.

'Guide' went on to win Filmfare Awards in five other categories including 'Best Film' and 'Best Director' and was sent as India's entry for the Oscars in the foreign film

category that year.

He co-produced the English Version of 'Guide' with the Nobel Laureate Pearl S Buck ('The Good Earth').

In 1993, he received a Filmfare 'Lifetime Achievement Award' and in 1996 he received a Screen Videocon 'Lifetime Achievement Award'.

Of late he was involved in the direction of a new all American film Project 'Song Of Life' - a musical love story which was to be shot in the United States.

He was to play the central character in the film which was to have a predominantly American star cast.

Dev Anand is the second of three brothers who were active in Hindi Cinema. His brothers are Chetan Anand and Vijay Anand. Their sister, Sheel Kanta Kapur, is the mother of renowned film director Shekhar Kapur.

With Additional Inputs from PTI

Playlist: The most popular songs of Dev Anand

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