Shock and disbelief gripped the Hindi film world as the news spread about the death of Dev Anand with Bollywood stars saying an era has come to an end with the passing away of the “eveready battery.”
Actor Waheeda Rehman, who worked with him in the classic Guide and several other films, said, “She was sad to hear the news because he was her first hero and she did maximum films with him. We had to learn so much from him because he had so much energy in him. I used to tell him ‘Dev you are like an eveready battery.”
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan wrote on twitter, “An era has come to an end ...Dev Anand leaves a void never perhaps to be filled again... his never give up belief, his joy of life!,”
“Had just met Dev Saheb at his premiere recently... he was weak but full of spirit… the newspapers confirming his passing away… sad. Just reading news about Dev Saheb ... praying it is not true! He was such a positive person...never associated death with him,” he said.
Melody queen Lata Mangeshkar said, “He never looked back and never regretted anything. He was a great personality.”
“Dev Anand is dead. As the new dawn breaks over Mumbai I salute the memory of this star who has left us with the glow of his smile,” veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt said.
“So as a Tribute to Dev Saab let’s only humm his songs today. Songs which became such an integral part of our lives. ’Abhi na jao chodkar’ . Dev Saab was kind, passionate, courageous, forthright, charming, encouraging, contemporary, always a leader and a great human. Will Miss him,” Anupam Kher wrote on the micro-blogging site.
Actor Madhuri Dixit said, “Sad to hear about Dev Anand’s demise. Another icon leaves the stage. My condolences to his family. We will miss him.”
“Shocked to read of the passing of Dev Saab . Such a great man and actor. A symbol of positivity. Never believed I would ever wake up to this news. Very sad!,” tweeted actor Abhishek Bachchan.
Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar said, “Still the news is not sinking in, had celebrated his birthday with him, Devsaab was full of energy and life then, just can’t believe!”
“On behalf of the family I thank everyone for the thousands of messages of love pouring in from all over the world on passing of Dev Anand. Can I ask friends frm [from] Media to be a little patient? The family is still coming to terms with his passing,” filmmaker Shekhar Kapur said about his uncle.
Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur tweeted, “My Uncle Dev Anand. V spoke about him as if he would live forever. May be he will. That which seemed immortal passes into myth.”
Actor Naseeruddin Shah said, “I still remember one of his songs ‘ main zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya’ ...while listening to this song, I feel Dev saab is still with us. We always prayed for his well being. He was very close to me. It is like I lost life from my body.”
Actor Rishi Kapoor said it is hard to imagine death of someone so full of life. “You can’t imagine a person like Dev Anand not living. that man is evergreen and he would always be evergreen. He was a contemporary of my father but he actually behaved younger to my son Ranbir. He lived life to the fullest,” Rishi said.
“One of the worst years so far, evergreen romantic actor, director Dev Anand saab , the one who romanced with life is no more but he dies young,” Akshay Kumar tweeted.
“ Abhi naa jao chhodkar key dil abhi Bhara nahi (a song featuring Dev Anand)... Sad to hear abt [about] Devsaabs demise... May god give him peace,” singer Shankar Mahadevan said in his tweet.
“Just got the sad news Dev Anandsahab passed away. I’ve always been a huge fan of his. And grown up watching his dynamic films. RIP,” actor Neil Nitin Mukesh tweeted.
“Can’t believe Devsaab is no more? A real institution, dreamer, believer & the grtest [greatest] romantic because he LOVED life. A truly sad say. RIP sir,” singer Sophie Choudhary said.
“The last I met Devsaab was at his premiere, sitting next to him, n seeing his smiling face, full of zest energy n enthusiasm!...RIP devsaab! Knowing u working what you is cherished! My evergreen hero! will miss u sir!,” actor Divya Dutta said.
Actor Manoj Bajpayee said, “Sad news. Evergreen slept forever. May he rest in peace! He will be conspicuous by his absence.”
“Rest In Peace Dev Saab ... Your chivalry, charm, optimism and your great body of work will never be forgotten,” tweeted actor Dia Mirza.
“Rip dev anand... spread love & never give up attitude just went ahead and did whatever he wanted .. My favourite actor!!! Rip dev anand ... spread love & a never give up attitude just went ahead and did whatever he wanted... My favourite actor!!!, said filmmaker Goldie Behl said.
