Sweet Sixty

In a career spanning 60 years,actor Dev Anand has lost count of the number of awards he has received. But,a special honour recently took him by surprise. “I was shooting for Chargesheet in Mumbai when I was told that I would be felicitated in recognition of the platinum jubilee of my production house,Navketan Films,” says the veteran.

As part of the celebrations,the Directorate of Film Festivals has organised a festival called “Navketan at 60”. The three-day festival,which began on Friday at Siri Fort with a colour print of Hum Dono,includes five of Anand’s classics. Baazi and Jewel Thief will close the festival today. “It is a nice gesture when someone recognises one’s efforts,” he adds.

Navketan Films has made more than 35 films,so Anand says it is difficult to pick a favourite. “The world says that Guide is my best work. It was screened at Cannes Film Festival last year to an amazing response. But when I made the film,people thought I was mad,” he says,adding that he hopes nobody will attempt a remake.

The octogenarian is currently working on a murder mystery,Chargesheet with Naseeruddin Shah. “Only a few days shooting remains and I will return to Delhi to talk about the film,” he says. There are also two films registered with the American Writers Guild,Song of Life,an musical to be shot in the US,and a European project,When Heart Beats Are the Same.