My uncle Dev Anand, the man no one knew…: Shekhar Kapur

Shekhar Kapur is a well-known filmmaker today, but he was first introduced to film industry by none other than his uncle, late legendary actor Dev Anand, who died of heart attack in London on Saturday. Now, the acclaimed Bollywood filmmaker recalls the moments spent with Dev Anand and actress Zeenat Aman on the sets of his debut movie Ishq Ishq Ishq in 1974.

On his blog titled “My uncle Dev Anand, the man no one knew…", Shekhar Kapur remembers several interesting anecdotes and incidents happened on the sets of film Ishq Ishq Ishq, which was directed and produced by Dev Anand. He writes, “Ishq Ishq Ishq was my break into movies. Tiny role, but hey, I got to romance Zeenat Aman."

Shekhar Kapur continues, “I have many stories of those two months that I will have the courage to tell one day. Nadira, Premnath, Zeenat, Shabana, Kabir Bedi, 12 beautiful models. And of course my own unforgettable adventures. But the one I want to tell today, is the story I will always remember my dear Uncle Dev for."

He talks about his uncle"s disregard for money. He states, "Dev Anand had put all his own money, almost everything he owned into Ishq Ishq Ishq. Money had no value to him, except to make films. On this evening he was talking calls from the press and the distributors. As always they started with excited congratulations and jubilations."

He writes, “Dev Anand had put all his own money, almost everything he owned into Ishq Ishq Ishq. Money had no value to him, except to make films. Nothing else interested him really. On this evening he was talking calls from the press and the distributors. As always they started with excited congratulations and jubilations. His face sparked with excitement and joy."

The filmmaker adds, “But over the next two hours, the tone changed. I could not hear what was being said, but I saw it on his face. His voice going softer. That spark that was Dev Anand dimming. In a couple of hours and a hundred calls later the reality overcame the dream. The film was a disaster on the box office."

After this phone chat, Dev Anand, who looked sad, went into the bedroom of the hotel suite. Shekhar Kapoor further writes, “Ten minutes Dev Anand emerged. His eyes were vibrant. His face excited. He was unable to sit down for his excitement. Looked me in the eyes. Shekharonios (that's what he called me), I just thought of a great plot for my next film!!"