Dev Anand's 1961 film, Hum Dono re-released this Friday in a colour version. The film veteran shares exclusive colour-tinted stills and memories of its making with Sunday Mid Day
Dev Anand's 1961 film, Hum Dono re-released this Friday in a colour version. The film veteran shares exclusive colour-tinted stills and memories of its making with Sunday Mid Day Click here to view slideshowEk se bhale doIt was for the first time in black and white Hindi cinema that an actor was playing a double role. I was at the peak of my career. I played two characters -- Captain Anand (the cleanshaven hero) and Major Verma (the one with a flourishing moustache). They come from the same city but meet each other for the first time on the battle field.
Playing two different men in the same film was a challenging experience. Once I was given the script, I prepared myself, wondering what I should do. I knew a gentleman in the army who sported a similar moustache, and had a raucous laugh. I based Major Verma's character on him.
Captain Anand was a calm man. He is the epitome of the philosophy I follow -- Main zindagi ka saath nibhaata chala gaya -- that wonderful song written by Sahir Ludhianvi, who I shall always miss, and composed by Jaidev.
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You'll be my heroineNanda is a fine actress, and she looked gorgeous in Hum Dono. After she played my sister in Kala Bazar, I had promised her the heroine's part in my next film. She deserved a better break and a better role.
The other day, I invited her for the premiere of the coloured version but she excused herself because of a knee problem. When you have retired for 15 years and haven't faced the crowds, you turn shy ufffd not everyone is like Dev Anand -- still going on, working and making films.
I had taken both, Nanda and Sadhana, to the Berlin Film Festival. In those days, films had to be sent to international film festivals through the Government of India, not through independent producers.
Taking the leap of faith Nanda played the Major's wife. The great devotional song, Allah tero naam ishwar tero naam was largely picturised on her. It is a song for our ever-secular country.
Music director Jaidev composed some wonderful music for Hum Dono. Jaidev joined our banner because he was assisting Ali Akbar Khan, the great sarod player. Khan was on the Navketan staff while he was composing the music for Aandhiyan. After the film, Jaidev stayed on and became an assistant to SD Burman, who was on the Navketan staff too, and composed the music for most of our films in the 1950s and 1960s.
One day, Jaidev dropped by at my office and said, 'Dev Saab, I'm a wonderful musician and I too need a chance'. I had the script of Hum Dono ready with me. I offered him the chance to compose the music for Hum Dono, but only after he sought the permission and blessings of his guru, SD Burman. And he did.
Who's that girl?I was shooting for another film at Filmalaya Studios, and I saw this beautiful young girl, straight out of college, walk by in front of me, trying to catch my attention. I asked her what she was doing there, and she said, 'Me? I've just been contracted by Filmalaya.' Confidently she told me she would do a film with me some day.
That was Sadhana. I think she was shooting for her debut film, Love In Simla.
When Hum Dono's casting was underway, I told Goldie (Vijay Anand; his brother) about her. Sadhana proved to be perfect for the role.
Be positiveSahir Ludhianvi had become a part of our banner. When a situation in Hum Dono demanded that Captain Anand sing a positive song, he wrote, Main zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya.
Smoking was an inherent part of the song (Har fiqr ko dhuen mein udata chala gaya). I don't smoke. At the start of my career, I would pick up a cigar or puff on a pipe. But it never became a habit.
All my fans associate me with the song. What makes Dev Anand, Dev Anand, is his temperament, creativity, mind, growth. Is there anyone else who has a released the colour version of his black and white film, a few months after one of his brand new films (Charge Sheet) has hit theatres?
A musical lighter that didn't playThe famous song, Abhi na jao chhod kar ke dil abhi bhara nahin was shot in a studio. We had created a pond, and a bit of forest. The song was lyrical. Another sad version was picturised on Sadhana.
The tune from the musical lighter that plays at the start of the song, is still remembered. At a music sitting, it struck me, 'We can have the girl present something to her lover... maybe a lighter.' The lighter didn't really carry the tune. It wasn't a musical lighter. But the idea worked.
What is love? It is something that inspires you, it makes you float and fly. It's about wanting more. The moment you are satisfied, love is gone. I had given lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi a wonderful poem by Hafeez Jullundhri -- Abhi main jawan hoon. And he wrote Abhi na... Today, when you think of any love song, Abhi na jao.. isn't far behind in your memory.
A good brother is a good directorMajor Verma loses his leg in the war, and wonders how he will face the world. I had designed his look, and his wardrobe, like I did for all my films. If you know your personality, you don't need a designer.
Amarjeet was a wonderful publicist and a member of the unit. Everyone loved him. We made him the director, but the creative control was left to Vijay Anand.
Back then we didn't have fights over, 'iska naam kyun hai credit mein?' Vijay was very dynamic. He was part of the dramatic society at St. Xavier's College. When my elder brother Chetan, who directed me in Navketan, left the banner, I brought Vijay in. Hum Dono, Kala Bazar and Guide were his watershed films. He was a good writer and director. He understood me, and vice versa.
The Hum Dono fact file
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The PlotMahesh Anand and Major Verma (played by Dev Anand) are look-alikes. When Major Verma goes missing in action in Burma during World War II, Mahesh is asked to convey the news to his family. He is mistaken for Major Verma when he meets Verma's mother and ailing wife, Ruma (Nanda). Unable to break the news, he stays on, creating a complication in his personal life and relationship with his girlfriend, Meeta (Sadhana). When Ruma discovers that her 'husband' is in love with another woman, Mahesh realises that the only person who can haul him out of the quandary is Major Verma himself.
The Awards Filmfare nomination for Best Actor -- Dev Anand. Golden Bear nomination at the 1962 Berlin International Film Festival for Best Director -- Amarjeet.
Bollywood News Service
