When Superstar Dev Anand Received Death Threats For Being In Love With This Actress

Not only are the films of Indian cinema stars popular, but millions of people see these performers as idols and idolize them. Today, let’s take a look at a superstar who enjoyed a huge fan base but once received death threats due to his love. The actor is none other than superstar Dev Anand, who is considered one of the greatest and most successful actors in the history of Indian cinema.

In a career spanning over six decades, the actor is said to have worked in more than 100 films and established himself as a leading star.

Dev Anand was born Dharamdev Pishorimal Anand in September 1923. His father, Pishori Lal Anand, was an advocate in the Gurdaspur District Court. Dev Anand completed his B.A. degree in English literature from the Government College, Lahore, in British India, before he made his Bollywood debut in 1946 with Hum Ek Hain.

According to reports, Dev Anand, before starting his acting career, worked at the military censor’s office at Churchgate for a monthly salary of Rs 65.

He thereafter worked as a clerk at an accounting firm for a salary of Rs 85.

He was inspired by Ashok Kumar’s performances in films such as Achhut Kanya and Kismet and decided to dabble in acting.

Dev Anand collaborated with singer-actress Suraiya in various films throughout his early career in the late 1940s. During filming, the two developed a love relationship. They appeared together in several films, including Vidya (1948), Jeet (1949), Shair (1949), Afsar (1950), Nili (1950), Sanam, and Do Sitare (1951).

As per reports, Suraiya fell in love with Dev Anand while filming the song Kinare Kinare Chale Jayen Ge for the film Vidya. During the filming, the boat they were on crashed, and Dev Anand saved Suraiya from drowning.

Dev Anand and Suraiya were in a relationship for four years, from 1948 to 1951. In 1949, the two made plans to elope and get married, but due to the strong opposition from Suraiya’s maternal grandmother and maternal uncle, their love always remained incomplete.

In an interview, Suraiya stated that she caved into her family’s demands after her grandmother and maternal uncle threatened to murder Dev Anand. Suraiya and Dev Anand last worked together in 1951.

Her grandmother had opposed the romance, mostly because they were Muslims and Dev Anand was Hindu. Suraiya was also one of the only working members of her family, which was also a reason why her grandmother opposed her marriage. Dev Anand was heartbroken when the relationship ended. Suraiya remained unmarried throughout her life until she died in January 2004.

In 1954, Anand married former actress Kalpana Kartik. On December 3, 2011, Dev Anand died in London after a heart attack at the age of 88.