Mumbai: Dev Anand – the actor who set trends, be it dressing with élan, making the droop of a shoulder a fashion statement, or projecting the boy-next-door as an affable person – completed his 80th year on September 26.

The residence of the actor was streaming with visitors, who dropped in to wish the actor. However, many had to return disappointed after they were informed that the octogenarian was away in New York working on the script of his new film, according to the actor's staff.

Born on September 26, 1923 in Gurdaspur in Punjab to a well-to-do advocate Devdutt Pishorimal Anand, the actor went on to graduate in English literature from the Government College, Lahore. His love for acting saw him leaving his hometown.

However, lady luck failed to smile at the young man, who initially took up a job in the censor department of the Army, reading out letters of soldiers' to their families, an experience he says, which left him rich in emotions and provided an insight into the hearts and minds of men.

After his initial years of struggle, Dev went on to star in his debut film 'Hum Ek Hain' in 1964, which, however, failed to make its mark in the box-office.

However, it was at Prabhat studio that he met the talented Guru Dutt and to strike a rapport soon, with each making a pact that if Dev were to produce a film, Dutt would be a director and if Dutt were to turn filmmaker, Dev would be its hero.

His first success came with the film 'Ziddi' (1948), with the actor never having to look back thereafter.

The following year also saw him turning producer and launching his own banner Navketan, which still continues churning out movies year after year.

PTI