A film festival titled ‘Dev Anand@100 – Forever Young’ commemorated the late Bollywood legend, Dev Anand, who would have turned 100 this month. This festival screened restored versions of his films from the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and the National Film Archive of India (NFAI) in multiple Indian cities on September 24 and 25. Dev Anand, alongside Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar, was one of the iconic superstars of 1950s and 1960s Bollywood. Films like ‘Jaal,’ ‘Taxi Driver,’ ‘Guide,’ and ‘Johnny Mera Naam’ were restored and theatrically released across 30 Indian cities, providing audiences with a nostalgic experience. The festival aimed to showcase Dev Anand’s enduring charm and impact on cinema.
Prithul Kumar, joint secretary (films) and managing director at NFDC, emphasized the significance of reintroducing Dev Anand to the big screen, reminiscent of his heydays. Suneil Anand, the late actor’s son, expressed how Dev Anand’s timeless charisma continues to inspire generations of moviegoers in India and beyond. The festival was curated by Shivendra Singh Dungarpur’s Film Heritage Foundation (FHF), known for similar tributes to iconic actors like Amitabh Bachchan and Dilip Kumar.
