Dev Anand and Kalpana Karthik love story transcends religious boundaries
Notably,Dev Anand and Kalpana Karthik’s love story transcended religious boundaries.
Gurdaspur based
Dev Anand landed in the city of dreams, Mumbai and ‘Mecca’ of Hindi films, Bollywood.
He was undoubtedly Hindi Cinema’s original style icon, and celebrated for his suave charm, distinctive dialogue delivery, and a trademark hairstyle that fans tried to emulate. His signature look — a black coat paired with a crisp white shirt turned out to become famous (and distracting) that it was once reportedly banned in courtrooms.
Dev Anand graduated in English from Lahore in 1942. Though dreamt of pursuing higher studies, financial hardships stood in the way. In 1945, with just ₹20 in his pocket, he set out for Mumbai to chase his cinematic dreams.
It was an humble start:
Sans a place to call his own, he shared a cramped room near the railway station with three other dreamers chasing fame. As his savings drained, he found work at the Military Censor Office, sifting through soldiers’ letters for a monthly pay of Rs 165.
Over a year later, he sought help from his elder brother, Chetan Anand, already an established name in the Indian Film Industry cinema. Chetan offered him small roles, leading to the superstar’s debut in 1946 with Hum Ek Hain. Although, the film proved a debacle at the box office, his next release, Ziddi in 1948, catapulted him to overnight stardom.
Over his illustrious career, he featured in 112 films, delivering timeless classics like Taxi Driver CID Paying Guest Nau Do Gyarah Kala Paani Asli-Naqli Guide Jewel Thief Johny Mera Naam
Tere-Mere Sapne Hare Rama Hare Krishna and Heera Panna.
In those days, life moved at a gentler rhythm, and emotions carried deep weight. The actor was passionately in love with actress Suraiya, but their romance faced staunch opposition from her family over religious differences. Suraiya decided never to marry, holding on to her enduring affection for him.
While on shoot for Taxi Driver, he developed a fondness for his
co-star Mona Singh, who later adopted the screen name Kalpana Karthik. What began as friendship soon blossomed into a quiet, enduring romance.
A secret wedding
Amidst one lunch break on the set, the duo slipped away unnoticed. When they returned, a keen-eyed cameraman spotted a fresh ring on Dev Anand’s finger. With an infectious smile, Dev quietly requested him to keep the secret.
Later it was revealed that the two had secretly tied the knot. Dev Anand believed marriage was an intimate affair, not something to be turned into a public spectacle.
Who was Kalpana Karthik?
Born Mona Singha into a Christian-Punjabi family, adopted her screen name Kalpana Karthik when Chetan Anand cast her in Baazi
releases in 1951. Hitherto her film debut, she had participated in the Miss Shimla contest, where she first caught Chetan Anand’s attention—they were cousins by marriage.
Kalpana’s brief yet unforgettable film career featured roles in Andhiyan Humsafar Taxi Driver House No. 44 and Nau Do Gyarah. After marrying Dev Anand, she distanced from the spotlight to focus on family life. The couple had two children, Suniel Anand and Debina.
News Edit KV Raman
