Dev Anand has achieved international fame already. His first English film, The Wayfarer, based on Mulk Raj Anand's “Two Leaves and a Bud”, was an official entry to the Venice and Moscow International Film Festivals in 1952. In 1965, he collaborated with Nobel Laureate Pearl S Buck to produce and script the English version of Guide . He was also instrumental in bringing the famous Hollywood actress Shirley MacLaine to India in 1970.
Now the evergreen icon has tied up with Warner Bros. for the international distribution and exhibition of his latest murder mystery, Charge Sheet . Relaxing at his office in Khar, Mumbai, Dev Anand speaks about his latest achievements. “Yes. I have finally tied up with Warner Bros. for the distribution and exhibition of Charge Sheet which releases this August. The present trend of Hollywood and the Hindi film industry collaborating on a number of production and distribution ventures is healthy. It will give a boost to Hindi films which have undergone a sea change, subject-wise and technologically.”
What is the story of Charge Sheet ? Says Dev Anand: “It is a modern-day murder mystery which exposes corruption in the police force. It is about a retired CBI official, wrongly convicted of murder. Along with me, Jackie Shroff, Riya Sen and a number of talented newcomers form the cast. Amar Singh (politician) plays a Home Minister in the film. Naseeruddin Shah as a mafia don has come up with a brilliant performance.”
Dev Anand says he has donned unusual make-up for his role in Charge Sheet but does not want to reveal much about it. He says, “I've put in my best effort as a writer, director, actor and am sure this film will be a hit. I'm excited about the release of Charge Sheet; let's see how it fares.”
After Charge Sheet , Dev Anand plans to come up with a sequel to his earlier super hit Hare Rama Hare Krishna . He says, “When I was at Kathmandu a couple of years ago, I visited Hotel Saltee where I shot many sequences of Hare Rama . I was overwhelmed by the reception I received and have finalised a script with a father, daughter angle and the issue of drug abuse which I propose to shoot on the same locations.”
Will Charge Sheet have music in the Navketan tradition as in Hum Dono , Guide and Jewel Thief ? Dev Anand says, “There are three new music directors who have composed a variety of tunes for Charge Sheet. The music is rich and bears the Navketan stamp.”
What happened to the sensitive actor in Dev Anand who conquered countless hearts with his effortless performances in films such as Baazi, Taxi Driver, CID and Guide ?
Closing his eyes, Dev Anand goes into a reverie. He says, “My old films still garner a lot of interest and critical acclaim. I am not the type to rest on past accolades. I have matured considerably as an actor in the last 65 years and you will see ample evidence of my statement when you watch Charge Sheet .”
