5 Iconic Roles of Dev Anand to Revisit on His 100th Birth anniversary

Today, we celebrate a century of charisma and talent as we mark the 100th birth anniversary of the legendary actor Dev Anand. Often hailed as the ‘eternal romantic’ and the ‘style icon’ of his era, Dev Anand left an indelible mark on Bollywood. His magnetic screen presence and ability to bring characters to life continue to enchant audiences across generations. From playing a police officer to a magician to a thief, the actor essayed them all, depicting one of Bollywood’s finest acting calibres. Witness his cinematic magic with these iconic characters across his best movies currently streaming on ZEE5 Global.

“Johny Mera Naam” is a 1970 crime thriller film directed by Vijay Anand, starring Dev Anand, Pran, Hema Malini, Jeevan, Premnath, and others. It revolves around two sons of a police inspector who are killed by a criminal. Years later, one son goes on to become a CID officer who solves cases by assuming different guises. He adopts the identity of Johny, a petty thief, and has himself arrested. In jail, he befriends a criminal who becomes his resource to find the main criminal. In this action-packed film, Dev Anand’s portrayal of Johny won hearts for being quick-witted and charming.

“Amir Garib” is a 1974 Hindi drama film directed by Mohan Kumar and starring Dev Anand, Hema Malini, Ranjeet, and Sujit Kumar. Dev Anand plays the titular character, Amir Garib, a man who lives a dual life, functioning as both a magician and a thief who robs the rich to help the needy and poor. He falls for a girl but soon discovers that she is not who she claims to be. Dev Anand’s Amir was well received by the audience as the character’s innocence and simplicity enchanted all.

In ‘Joshila,’ Dev Anand takes on the role of Amar, a man wrongly accused of a crime he didn’t commit. He must navigate a world filled with danger and deceit, showcasing his determination and resilience. The thriller, directed by Yash Chopra, also stars Rakhee and Hema Malini. Dev Anand as Amar immortalized the movie’s journey, leaving an indelible mark on the audience’s hearts and at the box office.

“Banarasi Babu” is a 1973 Hindi film directed by Shankar Mukherjee. The film stars Dev Anand, Yogeeta Bali, and Rakhee and follows the story of Sohan Lal, a rich businessman who is abducted and imprisoned. When Gulabiya helps him escape from the prison, he meets with an accident. He then attempts to sort out his jeopardized life. Dev Anand’s charismatic portrayal of Banarasi Babu immortalized the character, making him an evergreen and enduring figure in cinematic history.

“Patita” is a 1953 Hindi drama directed by Amiya Chakrabarty, starring Dev Anand, Usha Kiran, Agha, and Lalita Pawar. It follows the story of a poor girl called Radha who is forced to beg. Nirmal, an honest man played by Dev Anand, helps her get a job. When everything seems to fall into place, Radha gets raped by her landlord. Too ashamed to tell her father or Nirmal, Radha leaves home. She’s pregnant and on the verge of committing suicide when Mastram stops her. Dev Anand’s performance in “Patita” immortalized the character of Ram and highlighted the societal struggles and resilience in Indian society.

~Watch Dev Anand’s iconic films streaming only on ZEE5 Global~

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