How Dev and Goldie Anand spun their magic

As the title suggests, ‘Hum Dono’ is about two people — actor Dev Anand and his filmmaker younger brother Vijay Anand, affectionately called Goldie. Coming from an FTII graduate and filmmaker who was chief assistant to Dev and had many conversations with the brothers, the book brings out the creative relationship between the siblings. The writer’s love for the Anands is reflected in her writing.

The book is more about Goldie, the writer, editor and director, and talks about his craft at length, and in doing so throws light on Dev’s role in making their collaboration so fruitful.

Eight of their best films have been discussed threadbare, along with the movies released at the time, and what made the Navketan films stand apart. The anecdotes behind the making of these blockbusters bring out the behavioural quirks of the two giants of Indian cinema.

The journey started with ‘Nau Do Gyarah’ in 1957. Being a writer, Goldie had a story ready which he narrated to Dev on way to Mahabaleshwar. The road film immediately resonated with Dev’s wanderlust.

‘Kala Bazar’ beautifully explored the scourge of black marketing. Next came the ground-breaking ‘Hum Dono’, set in the backdrop of World War II. Sahir Ludhianvi’s poetry and Jaidev’s compositions took the film to another level. ‘Gham aur khushi mein fark na mehsoos ho jahaan, main dil ko us muqaam pe lata chala gaya.’ If this isn’t the essence of the Gita, then what is?

‘Tere Ghar Ke Samne’ brought a breath of fresh air in a gloomy atmosphere prevailing in the country following the humiliating defeat in the India-China war of 1962.

The career-defining film for the two mavericks was definitely ‘Guide’, which was way ahead of its time for taking up the theme of adultery. Even President Kennedy wanted to see its English version. But as the White House was planning a private screening, he was assassinated. Goldie took liberties with RK Narayan’s story for the Hindi version.

Having watched ‘Guide’ years later on TV, Raj Kapoor called up Dev, saying, “Goldie was miles ahead of all of us in his technique. Indian cinema will be known by ‘Guide’ as it will stand the test of time.”

In ‘Jewel Thief’, the brothers pulled off a casting coup by signing Ashok Kumar in a negative role. In ‘Johny Mera Naam’, the two turned a pedestrian story into a blockbuster with their Midas touch. ‘Tere Mere Sapne’ explored the reverse brain drain phenomenon in the late 1960s. Mumtaz agrees the film is her finest work.

Goldie also directed ‘Teesri Manzil’, which was earlier to feature Dev, with Shammi Kapoor in the lead. After 40 years, in 2006, during its limited release, when asked who would play their roles if the film were to be made today, Shammi said anyone could play their parts, “but where would we get another Goldie Anand?”