Rendering Of A Charismatic Legend (Book Review)

Book: Dev Saab - A journey with the legend Dev Anand

Author: Vijay Kumar

Publication: Notion Press

In his wonderfully articulated book, 'Dev Saab', Actor/TV Presenter/Author Vijay Kumar has chronicled his entire experience and cherishable moments with the legendary actor, Dev Anand. Vijay makes us look at Dev Anand through his eyes and takes us through his upbringing and circumstances that led him to dream of becoming an actor in Bollywood. Like million other die-hard fans of Dev Anand, he too is mesmerized by his mannerisms, charisma, style and his unparalleled acting skills that in turn fuels his acting dream.

Vijay makes us experience his intense struggle in Mumbai, something that every aspiring actor has gone through and he too, has to walk through the fire path. Only that, he had to do it a bit longer. Some give up, some struggle but Vijay moves on like a juggernaut. Since childhood, Vijay has nursed a single dream of meeting Dev Anand and work with him. He tells us about his journey of leaving his home town for Mumbai and in the process of meeting Dev Anand, met a lot of good people in Bollywood who treated him nicely and wanted to give him a chance too. He tells us about the lovely, worth cherishing moment when he finally gets to meet his idol, and a beginning of what we can call, a lovely friendship for a lifetime.

He beautifully explains his moments of working with him, acting for his movies, listening to his stories, his philosophies, experiences and how like a dutiful student ever-hungry to learn lapped up everything what he said. He takes us through moments of intense happiness, and also disappointments arising out of his own ambition of becoming an established actor. He tells us how Dev Anand was a man of his words, and that his vision and approach of making a movie was completely unordinary. What fueled him was his 'never say die' attitude and intense positivity that he exuberated to others around him too. Vijay is fortunate to have known and been with him as he too, exhibits this positivity that has lead him to many achievements.

The book treats us with numerous photographs that Vijay has clicked with Dev Anand and other actors, directors with whom he has worked. A real-treat to watch them. As a reader, I experienced Vijay's moments of joy, sadness, disappointments, endless struggles. But then, above all I saw a beautiful soul of a person, Dev Anand.

Do read this book if you are a huge fan of Dev Saab.

My rating: 4 out of 5.

I received a review copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

About The Guest Reviewer:

Varun N Rao is a Senior Content Specialist at a US-based software company in Bengaluru. In his 'strictly me' time, he creates realistic portraits with pencils and paints, paintings and funny caricatures. He also creates digital works and explores new trends in the art world both, digital and fine art. Follow his works at www.facebook.com/vartoonss/

Apart from this, he helps his wife to create delicious, mouth-watering chocolates under the banner Eat More Chocolates (www.facebook.com/eatmorechocolates).

When not creating portraits or preparing chocolates, he indulges in some lazy time to read biographies, fiction and non-fiction books, editing his wife's articles/blogs/short stories or just watch movies, comedy serials etc.

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