Dev Anand Film Festival- As the 100th birth anniversary of the legendary Dev Anand approaches on September 26th, the Film Heritage Foundation is all set to commemorate this iconic actor with a unique festival. Titled ‘Dev Anand@100 – Forever Young,’ this festival is a heartfelt tribute to the timeless entertainment icon who left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. The two-day weekend celebrations will be held on the 23rd and 24th of September across 30 cities and 55 cinema halls all over India. This grand event is made possible through a collaboration with NFDC-NFAI (National Film Development Corporation Of India- National Film Archive Of India) and PVR Inox.
A Curated Tribute to Dev Anand’s Legacy- Dev Anand Film Festival
The Film Heritage Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded by filmmaker and archivist Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, has meticulously curated a collection of films that allows audiences to spend a memorable weekend with Dev Anand in various memorable avatars – as the romantic hero, the dashing spy, and the fun-loving rogue.
A Nationwide Cinematic Experience
Audiences across India, from Mumbai and Pune to Goa, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Trivandrum, Chennai, Bangalore, Lucknow, Kolkata, Guwahati, Indore, Jaipur, Nagpur, Chandigarh, New Delhi, Gwalior, Rourkela, Raipur, Noida, Kochi, Aurangabad, Vadodara, Surat, and Mohali, among others, will have the unique opportunity to watch landmark films of the suave leading man on the big screen. These films, including “C. I. D.” (1956), “Guide” (1965), “Jewel Thief” (1967), and “Johny Mera Naam” (1970), have been beautifully restored by NFCDC-NFAI and are set to captivate audiences once again.
Shivendra Singh Dungarpur’s Perspective
Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, the Filmmaker and Director of the Film Heritage Foundation, shared his thoughts on this endeavor, saying, “After a successful run with ‘Bachchan Back To The Beginning’ and ‘Dilip Kumar – Hero Of Heroes’ to commemorate Amitabh Bachchan’s 80th birthday and Dilip Kumar’s birth centenary respectively, we knew that there was no way that we could allow the birth centenary of Dev Anand to go uncelebrated. We wanted to honor his legacy by screening four of his milestone films. The films are among my favorites as I consider Goldie Anand one of the most stylish directors of Indian cinema. The festival also marks an important collaboration between the Film Heritage Foundation and NFDC-NFAI who have restored the four films and partnered with us to enable us to showcase these films. The Gregory Peck of India, as Dev Anand was often called, continues to be a beloved star, and we are thrilled that contemporary audiences will have the opportunity to watch some of the films that made him an enduring legend of Indian cinema. This is another milestone in the Film Heritage Foundation’s journey to bring classics of Indian cinema to modern viewers because after all these films are a part of our history and culture and if we don’t know where we came from, we won’t know where we are going.”
Suneil Anand’s Perspective
Suneil Anand, Dev Anand’s son, expressed his pleasure at the Film Heritage Foundation’s plan for a grand film festival across India to commemorate his father’s 100th birthday. He remarked on his personal fondness for his father’s work, particularly his role in “Johny Mera Naam,” which closely resembled his true personality. Suneil Anand noted that his father was an inspiration, not only for his acting but also for his fashion sense. Dev Anand’s distinct style, including his caps, high collars, scarves, jackets, and colorful attire, left an indelible mark on his fans. Suneil Anand also revealed that Hollywood had beckoned his father, but his unwavering love for India kept him rooted in the country. As Suneil continues the legacy of Dev Anand and Navketan, he is currently working on a Hollywood-based film dedicated to his father, called “Vagator Mixer,” which is set to be released worldwide.
A Landmark Collaboration
This festival marks the first-ever collaboration between a government body and a not-for-profit organization for a film festival of this scale. NFDC-NFAI, in partnership with the Film Heritage Foundation, has undertaken the monumental task of restoring four classics of the charismatic actor in 4K resolution. The restoration of these films was part of the National Film Heritage Mission and was funded by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Prithul Kumar’s Insights
Prithul Kumar, Joint Secretary (Films) and Managing Director of NFDC, emphasized the importance of witnessing Dev Anand on the big screen once again, capturing the essence of his heydays decades ago. NFDC-NFAI is sparing no effort to ensure that these films are presented in the best possible way. Restoration artists, technicians, graders, DOPs, sound engineers, and archivists from multiple cities have come together to bring these films back to life. This joint endeavor between film archives, NFDC-National Film Archive of India and Film Heritage Foundation, along with esteemed partners INOX and PVR, showcases their commitment to preserving India’s cinematic heritage and providing broader public access to the gems of Indian Cinema.
The ‘Dev Anand@100 – Forever Young’ festival promises to be a grand celebration of Dev Anand’s cinematic legacy, bringing together audiences of all ages to rediscover the magic of this evergreen romantic superstar on the silver screen. As Dev Anand continues to inspire generations, his contribution to Indian cinema remains timeless, and this festival is a testament to his enduring charisma and cinematic excellence. So, mark your calendars for this unforgettable cinematic journey through the classics of Dev Anand, a true legend of Indian cinema.
