Kalpana Kartik remembers Dev Anand on his 100th birth anniversary: He will always be by my side – Exclusive

Their love story deserves its own film, but until we get there, we can reminisce about their on-screen chemistry and their off-screen romance. Dev Anand and Kalpana Kartikwere the original B-town couple and their love saga has been one of the most inspiring tales of courtship and commitment in the last 100 years. At the age of 92, Kalpana ji may not be swiping away on social media, but she’s frantically sifting through her memories of Dev saab, her co-star, colleague and life partner.We also look back at the 5 films where Kalpana ji and Dev saab weaved magic into celluloid with their inimitable chemistry. But before that, we spoke briefly to Kalpana Kartik.

Kalpana Kartik: I feel like addressing him as “Funtoosh”

The ‘Baazi’ star recalled, “I passed from St. Bede’s College, Shimla and participated in a beauty contest. Chetan Anand spotted me there and introduced me to films christening me Kalpana Kartik. Guru Dutt gave me my first break in Baazi opposite Dev Anand. We worked together in five films. As his centenary dawns I feel like addressing him, Funtoosh (as in Taxi Driver) smiling and greeting him, “Namaste” as I did in Nau Do Gyarah. He may not be present but is always by my side, inimitably calling me, Mona.”

A retrospect of Dev Anand and Kalpana Kartik’s on-screen magic through their five unforgettable films:

Baazi:

This 1951 crime thriller penned by Balraj Sahni was Guru Dutt’s directorial debut. He paired Dev Anand, Geeta Bali and Kalpana Kartik well in this slick film which gave equal footage to both the heroines. Dev Anand developed his unique style under Guru Dutt’s direction and started the trend of post independence anti romantic hero. Kalpana Kartik was full of rhythm lipping Yeh Kaun Aya rendered by Geeta Dutt.

Aandhiyan:

In this 1952 classic based on a true story, Dev Anand and Kalpana Kartik were directed by Chetan Anand. Ali Akbar Khan was introduced to film music in Aandhiyan. The cast carried Nimmi’s name first as she was the stellar performer seeping with emotions. The romance between Dev Anand and Kalpana Kartik was introduced with his voice in the background and Kalpana Kartik smiling symbolized by a bunch of flowers. Aandhiyan won critical acclaim at Venice, Moscow and Peking Film Festivals. The Chinese drama/film actress who dubbed for Kalpanan Kartik cried while doing so emotionally.

Taxi Driver:

The 1954, Dev Anand, Kalpana Kartik saga introduced Sheila Ramani to films. Tautly penned by Uma and Vijay Anand, Taxi Driver also had the city of Bombay as a character. Dev Anand originally cut Kalpana Kartik’s hair with a scissor in the film and she sobbed “Mere Bal”. They gave real life performances and Taxi Driver like Baazi was a silver jubilee hit- Dev Anand, Kalpana Kartik had their midnight marriage on the sets of Taxi Driver.

House No. 44:

In this 1955 off beat film, Mandi Burman efficiently directed, Dev Anand and Kalpana Kartik the first husband-wife pair in post independent Indian cinema. It was a realistic tale of how an innocent urban youth becomes a victim of crime and is helped by her lover to sail through the crisis. In the climax a bullet hit. Dev Anand holding Kalpana Kartik’s hand rings a temple bell and smiles. Kalpana Kartik looks intensely creating a mesmerizing effect.

Nau Do Gyarah:

The 1957 film, which established Vijay Anand after Chetan Anand, as a director of substance. Dev Anand and Kalpana Kartik were at their altruistic best. Vijay Anand used the two memorable songs Aankhon Mein Kyaji and Aaja Panchli Akela Hai well to portray their romance. Like Baazi, Aandhiyan and Taxi Driver, Nau Do Gyarah gave due importance to women’s characters. One can never forget Shashikala, the humanitarian vamp, lipping Jane Kidhar, Hai Hai to Geeta Dutt. The song was a takeoff on the Tagore number, Ek Tuku Choya Lage. A running hit, in this film like its predecessors, Dev Anand and Kalpana Kartik proved romance could be performed sans sensuality, vulgarity and unnecessary touching.