By Omair Alavi Bollywood has had many leading men with careers that have lasted over 50 years but none has managed to stay on top like Dev Anand for 4 decades as a leading man, except Dev Anand. If ever is a list compiled of the greatest number of hit songs in 40 years, Dev…
SAMAA | Omair Alavi – Posted: Sep 26, 2017 | Last Updated: 4 years ago
By Omair Alavi
Bollywood has had many leading men with careers that have lasted over 50 years but none has managed to stay on top like Dev Anand for 4 decades as a leading man, except Dev Anand. If ever is a list compiled of the greatest number of hit songs in 40 years, Dev Anand’s name would be there in the top five along with Rajesh Khanna, Raj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor. On what would have been his 94th Birthday, let’s go through Debonair Dev’s dozen memorable songs from the early 50s until the late 70s. Enjoy!
Yeh Raat Yeh Chandni
Film: Jaal (1952)
Singer: Hemant Kumar
Music: SD Burman
Guru Dutt and Dev Anand were good friends; so good that when they were struggling, they promised to help each other when they got the break. Jaal was Guru Dutt’s way of keeping that promise as he directed this flick with Dev Anand as the leading man. The songs went on to become hugely popular and elevated him to superstardom.
Hai Apna Dil To Awara
Film: Solva Saal (1958)
Singer: Hemant Kumar
Music: SD Burman
The SD Burman-Hemant Kumar-Dev Anand combo struck again with this inspired song that went onto the help modernize the image of the leading man who could win the heart of the leading lady through singing. Waheeda Rehman was part of this film and went on to star with Dev Anand in many flicks that are now termed classics.
Abhi Na Jao Chor Kar
Film: Hum Dono (1961)
Singer: Mohammad Rafi, Asha Bhosle
Music: Jaidev
In an interview, Dev Anand claimed that this song was an inspired version of Abhi To Main Jawaan Hun written by Pakistani poet Hafeez Jallandhari. This Jaidev composition is an evergreen hit and is still popular despite being 55 years old!
Jiya O Jiya O Jiya Kuch Bol Do
Film: Jab Pyaar Kisi Se Hota Hai (1961)
Singer: Mohammad Rafi
Music: Shankar – Jaikishan
Dev Anand entered the 60s with back-to-back hits; the titled head movement and rapid-fire dialogue delivery with a cap or hat on his head made him the heartthrob of many. In this song, he romanced with his leading lady, while riding on top of a car, long before Rajesh Khanna repeated the same feat while sitting on the passenger seat of an air force jeep.
Tere Ghar Ke Samne
Film: Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963)
Singer: Mohammad Rafi
Music: SD Burman
In what became one of his final black and white hits, Dev Anand won over the hearts of his fans with a classy performance as an actor who could also excel at filming the songs. With Mohammad Rafi providing the vocals, the song became a huge hit and remains so after 5 decades.
Gaata Rahe Mera Dil
Film: Guide (1965)
Singer: Mohammad Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar
Music: SD Burman
This Vijay Anand classic comprised of so many hit songs that you would lose count; Waheeda Rehman and Dev Anand’s chemistry was at its best in this coloured flick that had all the elements of a blockbuster. SD Burman was on top of his game as a composer while Dev Anand gave one of his most memorable performance in the film that went on to be labelled a must-watch.
Din Dhal Jaye
Film: Guide (1965)
Singer: Mohammad Rafi
Music: SD Burman
Dev Anand’s character deceived Waheeda Rehman’s and the result was this evergreen number where Mohammad Rafi’s vocals, SD Burman’s composition, and Shailendra’s lyrics would make even the most heartless of people weep, such was the power of their combined work. In addition, just look at Waheeda Rehman; she does look as radiant as a Chaudvin Ka Chaand!
Dil Pukaray
Film: Jewel Thief (1967)
Singer: Mohammad Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar
Music: SD Burman
Mohammad Rafi was Dev Anand’s voice until the ascent of Kishore Kumar in 1969; in this SD Burman composition, we get to know why he preferred Rafi for Dev Anand as they complimented each other well. With Vyjayanthimala as the leading actress, the two sizzle on screen as one of the best onscreen couples in Bollywood.
Aasman Kay Neeche
Film: Jewel Thief (1967)
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar
Music: SD Burman
Dev Anand was at his best in this cheeky song where Kishore Kumar became his voice and he continued to sing for his frequent collaborator until the 80s. Although the film was a suspenseful journey, it had songs to ‘steal’ for, if you know what I mean.
Phoolon Ka Taron Ka
Film: Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971)
Singer: Kishore Kumar
Music: RD Burman
Then came the 70s where Dev Anand turned to direction and became the star-maker. In this song, he plays brother to Zeenat Aman who went on to become his regular leading lady of the 70s; the song remains popular in this part of the world due to three factors – Kishore Kumar, RD Burman and Dev Anand.
Kis Ka Rasta Dekhe
Film: Joshila (1973)
Singer: Kishore Kumar
Music: RD Burman
In what was his only film with Yash Chopra, Dev Anand played a jailed convict and fell in love with the jailor’s daughter; with Kishore as his voice and RD Burman as his composer, there was no stopping for Dev Anand who grew strong in the 70s when his colleagues Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor were shifting to character roles.
Aise Na Mujhe Tum Dekho
Film: Darling Darling (1977)
Singer: Kishore Kumar
Music: RD Burman
What best way to end a tribute to Dev Anand with what can be termed as ahead-of-its-times song where he romanced with Zeenat Aman and dodged the rifle of villain Jeevan. Kishore Kumar experimented with his vocals and Dev Anand with his hairstyle, however, his swagger and mannerisms were still there and he gave his rivals a run for their money even when in his 50s.
