The winsome two

Dev Anand was suffering from an emotional set back as he could not tie the knot with beloved Suraiya. During the shooting of Navketan’s Bazi, he came across Mona Singha the heroine. A beauty queen of Shimla, graduate from St. Bede’s College, she was a Chetan Anand discovery. Christened with the screen name Kalpana Kartik she made her screen debut with Bazi. The debonair Dev Anand was moved by her spontaneity and charm.

During the early 50s, Dev Anand was a shy, introvert youth. Suraiya did once confess he was childlike and wept bitterly when hurt. As he introduced himself to his leading lady, he was nervous. Director Guru Dutt and co-star Geeta Bali co-operated and matters were normal. Dev Anand and Kalpana Kartik liked each other instantly. Their liking for each other helped to develop their screen chemistry. Bazi was a super hit and gave both Dev Anand and Kalpana Kartik stardom.

As the pair was shooting for Chetan Anand’s Aandhiyan, they came closer. Both started sharing each other’s matters and secrets. The X-ray eyes of Chetan Anand noticed the fondness and utilized it to the hilt in Aandhiyan. In one scene their first romance was symbolized by a tight close up in black and white by cinematographer Jal Mistry. Though Aandhiyan was a flop, it established the Dev Anand, Kalpana Kartik pair. It was Taxi Driver in 1954 that made the pair legion. A scene in Taxi Driver required cutting of Kalpana Kartik’s long lovely hair. Anand clipped Kalpana Kartik’s hair with a car repairing tool. She cried in ecstasy, Mere bal. The shot was canned in two takes.

During the shooting of Taxi Driver, Dev Anand and Kalpana Kartik had their famous midnight marriage on the sets. It was a secret family affair and only Guru Dutt, Phani Majumdar, Raj Khosla, S.D. Burman and Kishore Kumar were the outside invitees. The marriage was indirectly Dev Anand’s answer to Suraiya’s refusal. Yet both Dev Anand and Kalpana Kartik knew in their heart of hearts, Suraiya was irreplaceable.

Kalpana Kartik till date has deep respect for Suraiya. The gala success of Taxi Driver established the two as the first husband wife pair of the Indian screen. 

Kalpana Kartik

To me Dev was not only a husband. He was a true friend. We shared the best of relations since our midnight marriage in 1954. There were good as well as bad times we encountered.

Suneil Anand

My parents gave me and my sister the best of education and guidance. We have always lived like one family and it was so till my father’s sad demise. I am still with my mother and sister.