Dev Anand demise: 'Abhi na jao chhod kar...'

“Main zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya…” was not just another hit song for Dev Anand. It was his life’s mantra.

The 88-year-old actor and filmmaker, who passed away in London on Saturday night, had a matchless zest for life and his craft.

In an industry that relies heavily on box-office returns, the eternal romantic kept making movies till the very end — often unmindful of what the critics or his fans had to say.

“They can say what they want about my movies, but criticism about my work will never deter me from doing what I love best. In fact, don’t be too surprised if I die with my boots on,” the ageless hero had told this newspaper in an earlier interview.

Dev Anand’s career as an actor, director and producer spanned six decades and he has left behind a rich legacy of classics such as Taxi Driver, CID, Baazi, Guide and Jewel Thief.

And though he is best remembered for his trademark tilting and nodding of the head, he has also lip synched to some of the most romantic melodies of all times such as ‘Abhi na jao chhod kar, Gaata rahe mera dil, Khoya khoya chand and many more.

Chargesheet, which released earlier this year, was the last film he made under the Navketan banner which he had launched with his brothers Chetan and Vijay in 1949.

And before he started making unremarkable films throughout the 1980s till date, the good looking hero with the trademark swagger, lop-sided smile and puffy hairdo was a heartthrob of millions.

Having modelled himself on Hollywood actor Gregory Peck, Anand often played the suave, urbane man who romanced heroines across generations — from Nalini Jaywant to Zeenat Aman.

He is also credited with launching the careers of young actresses including Zeenat Aman, Tina Munim and Tabu.

In his autobiography titled Romancing with Life which was released in 2007, Dev Anand spoke about his romantic alliances with some of his heroines including Suraiya and Zeenat Aman.

Though he was estranged from his wife, yesteryear actress Kalpana Karthik, the couple continued to share a house in Bandra until his demise on Saturday.

He is survived by his wife, son Suneil and daughter Devina.