Bollywood legend Dev Anand's son Suniel will bring in the 89th birthday of his late father tomorrow to celebrate his achievements, and plans to announce a film, helmed by him under the Navketan banner to carry forward the legacy of the evergreen actor.
The 88-year-old veteran of Indian cinema passed away last year in December at London following a cardiac arrest. He has countless hits to his credit including those like Paying Guest, Baazi, Jewel Thief, CID, Johny Mera Naam, Amir Garib, Warrant, Hare Rama Hare Krishna and Des Pardes.
Last year on his birthday, Dev Anand had called his friends over and cut a cake at his favourite hotel in suburban Mumbai. This year too, Suniel will host a get together at the same place - Sun and Sand hotel at 6 pm. "We will celebrate this birthday this year as well. He is still with us in our hearts. He is a source of inspiration to me and several others. On this (birthday) occasion we will celebrate his life and achievements," son Suniel told PTI in an interview.
A few rare pictures from Dev Anand's personal album will be on display for media and fans. "We will have some rare photographers of dad in size of 5 foot by 3 foot. We have selected some unique photos that we will display like -- dad in action during his various shoots, on his travel all over the world while he was attending film premiere, while he was writing, meeting famous people etc.
"It will be a unique event. We will have close friends and fans, who used to regularly every year come to wish him on his birthday. Those close to dad will speak a few words about their association and share fond memories," Suniel said. However, friends and colleagues of the legendary actor-filmmaker from the industry won't be part of the occasion tomorrow.
The special occasion will also see Suniel announce a film that he will be producing and directing. Before Dev Anand's demise he was writing a script and had been in conversation with a Hollywood studio. But unfortunately, his dream remained unfulfilled. Suniel will be completing this film. But the one that Suniel would be announcing tomorrow is not the same script.
"I would be directing, producing it and also acting in the movie. I can't reveal the title of the film as I would be announcing it tomorrow. All I can say it will be an action-thriller with a few known and established stars and few upcoming actors," he said. The film will go on floors this December and will be released by next year.
Suniel says his father was not in favour of remakes and he would follow the same. "My dad was not in favor of remakes, he did not like that concept. He felt every film should be unique and original from its conceptualisation to the end. Every filmmaker must be creative," he said. But what if some other filmmaker approaches him to remake any of his father's movies?
"I don't believe in remakes. My dad was very sensitive on this thing, he did not want others to remake his movies or copy them. He always thought whatever he has done should not be repeated by anyone else," Suniel said. Apart from making films, Suniel revealed there will be a museum in honour of the late actor. "We will have a museum where we will have dad's belongings. From pens to his signature outfits like caps, scarfs, jackets to his rare posters that will be put on display at the museum for everyone," he said.
