At 85, evergreen Devsaab casts spell on FTII students

It was Dev Anand's evening at the golden jubilee celebrations of the premier Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) here Saturday night as the octogenarian Bollywood legend arrived in campus to a thunderous applause from the students who were not born when he started his acting career in Pune.

Interacting with the FTII students and the alumnus that had gathered on the occasion, 'Devsaab' recalled that today's FTII stood on the same premises which had earlier housed the famous "Prabhat" studio where he gave his first audition test in 1945 and shot for his debut film "Hum Ek Hai".

"When I arrived here this evening, I felt like entering a temple. Now it is a temple of learning (FTII)," he said as he cast his spell on the gathering that included Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni who shared the dais.

Clad in a Khaki coloured jacket and trousers with a customary handkerchief around his neck, Dev Anand, 85, offered an insight into his own psyche to a youthful audience after the bustle and catcalls that greeted him on arrival settled.
"I am a small man who is big in his own eyes," said the Chocolate hero of the yore often likened to Hollywood star Gregory Peck for his looks.
For the aspiring FTII students his message was "Think yourself as the biggest in the world and you will be able to beat the best in the showbiz. Think positively and use your energies positively."

Stating that his company "Navketan films", had completed 60 years of existence, Dev Anand said he was still competing professionally and spoke fondly of his soon-to-be released new movie "Chargesheet".

His eyes, he does not wear glasses, still casting that dreamy look around, the evergreen Devsaab appeared to be talking to himself when he gushed out these words.
"I am growing up and becoming mature. I don't say to myself that I am getting old. I am an all time traveller going around and pocketing ideas for my work". And one gets convinced of the maxim that seeing is believing when it comes to the demeanour of this actor who regaled and romanced with his audience for over six decades with an aplomb.