In the mid-1970s, one of Hindi cinema’s most celebrated stars faced a moment that could have ended everything. His dream project, made purely with his dedication and personal sacrifice, was about to be released. The film carried expectations, scale and a deep emotional investment. What followed tested not just his success but his survival in the industry.
The premiere night looked promising on the surface. Congratulations poured in, phones kept ringing, and the mood initially felt celebratory, but behind the scenes, early reports began painting a different picture. The film was a huge financial risk for him as he had invested his own money. Turns out, it failed badly.
The star was Dev Anand and the film was Ishk Ishk Ishk (1974). Directed by Anand himself, it was one of the most ambitious ventures of his career. Dev Anand had given it all to the film, even reportedly selling his house and his wife’s jewellery to see the project through. That was the kind of passion he had for filmmaking.
Dev Anand’s nephew, Shekhar Kapur, who had a small role in the film, recently shared insights into the actor’s resilience during a major professional blow. The actor recalled attending the premiere during an interaction on Filmfare’s YouTube channel.
After the screening, they returned to Anand’s suite at the Oberoi Hotel. Calls from industry colleagues kept coming, congratulating him on the film. It was expected that the film might work its magic and become one of the successful projects of that year.
Everything changed later, though. Reports came in that audiences were walking out of theatres mid-show. “Someone told him over the phone that people got up and left the theatres while his film was still playing,” Shekhar said. According to Kapur, it took barely fifteen minutes for the reality to sink in.
Despite the setback, Dev Anand maintained calm. Without saying much, Anand excused himself and walked into the bathroom. Five minutes later, he returned transformed. In the same chat, Shekhar recounted, “He must have been gone for hardly 5 minutes when he came back out and said, ‘Shekhar! ‘Chal ek nayi film banate hai; abhi idea socha maine.’ He just wiped all of it away, and I wanted to learn that skill from him.”
Kapur also recalled a breakfast conversation that revealed Anand’s fearless approach to filmmaking. A producer spoke about selling his wife’s jewellery and his home to fund a film. Dev Anand’s response was instant and unapologetic as he said that this was exactly how films should be made. He shared, “Acha hai, aise hi banti hai filmein.”
Ishk Ishk Ishk (1974), directed by Dev Anand, starred Shabana Azmi, Zeenat Aman, Zarina Wahab, Jeevan, and Kabir Bedi with music by RD Burman. Though it failed at the box office, the film stands as proof of Anand’s daring spirit. It is proof that Dev Anand’s legacy was built not just on success, but on fearless resilience.
Dev Anand was one of Bollywood’s most beloved actors. His memorable performances in classics like Guide, Jewel Thief, Hum Dono and Hare Rama Hare Krishna are a masterclass in acting, inspiring generations of budding actors. Over his long career, Dev Anand not only acted but also directed and produced several films, leaving a lasting mark on Indian cinema.
