Dev, an iconic figure in the Indian film industry, has left an indelible mark on the hearts of millions with his charismatic performances and unique style. The Bollywood actor known for his works in Bengali cinema, he is one of the most sought-after and highest-paid actors in the industry.
This blog post aims to delve into the life and career of this remarkable actor, shedding light on his early life, personal relationships, rise to stardom, career highlights, and some intriguing facts about him.
Early Life and Upbringing
Dev was born on December 25, 1982, in Mahisha, a small village near Keshpur, to Gurudas Adhikari and Mousumi Adhikari. His father used to have a food-catering service, and his mother is a housewife. Dev spent his childhood living with his maternal uncle in Chandrakona and his sister, Deepali.
Later in his childhood, he moved to Mumbai and attended Purushottam High School in Bandra, where he was a good student.
Personal Life – Age, Zodiac Sign
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Deepak Adhikari |
| Nickname | Dev |
| Alternative Names(s) (also known as) | Raju |
| Date of Birth | 25 December 1982 |
| Age (as of 2023) | 41 years |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Birthplace | Keshpur, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal, India |
| Hometown | Chandrakona, West Bengal, India |
| Current Address | Kolkata, West Bengal, India |
| Education Qualification | Diploma in Computer Engineering |
| Hobbies and Interests | Traveling, dancing, watching movies |
| Languages Known | Bengali, Hindi, English |
| Social Media Profiles link (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter |
| Wikipedia Profile link | Dev (Bengali actor) |
| IMDb Profile link | Dev |
| Website link | N/A |
Physical Appearance – Height, Weight, Body Measurements
| Physical Stats | Information |
|---|---|
| Body Type | Athletic |
| Body Measurements (Chest – Waist – Hips) | 44-34-18 inches |
| Height in feet, inches, cm | 6’ 1″, 185 cm |
| Weight in kg, lbs | 80 kg, 176 lbs |
| Chest | 44 inches |
| Waist | 34 inches |
| Biceps | 18 inches |
| Eye Colour | Dark Brown |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Hairstyle | Short |
| Distinctive Features | Tall stature, muscular physique |
| Tattoos | N/A |
Family and Relationships – Girlfriend/Wife, Affairs
Dev was married to actress Kalpana Kartik, with whom he had two children, including Suneil Anand. He was known for his romantic image and was linked with several actresses throughout his career.
| Relationships Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Spouse – Wife | N/A |
| Father | Gurudas Adhikari |
| Mother | Mousumi Adhikari |
| Children | N/A |
| Siblings | Deepali (sister) |
| Affairs – Girlfriend(s) | Subhashree Ganguly (actress) |
| Significant Relationships | N/A |
Rise to Stardom
Dev is a recipient of four Filmfare Awards, including two for Best Actor. The Government of India honoured him with Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honour in 2001, and with Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2002.
He won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for the films ‘Kala Pani’ and ‘Guide.’
Dev – Debut Film – Agnishapath (2006)
Dev – Successful Film – Love Express (2016)
Career, Awards, and Achievements
Dev made his acting debut in 2005 with the film ‘Agnishapath.’ However, he gained widespread recognition with the superhit ‘Baazi’ (1951), which is regarded as the forerunner of the spate of “Bombay Noir” films that followed in Bollywood in the 1950s.
In later years, he starred in top-grossing films such as ‘Jaal’ (1952), ‘Taxi Driver’ (1954), ‘Insaniyat’ (1955), ‘Munimji’ (1955), ‘C.I.D.’ (1956), ‘Pocket Maar’ (1956), ‘Funtoosh’ (1956), ‘Paying Guest’ (1957), ‘Kala Pani’ (1958), and ‘Kala Bazar’ (1960).
| Career Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Profession(s) | Actor, film writer, producer, politician |
| Debut Film | Agnishapath (2006) |
| Notable Roles | Raj in I Love You (2007), Abhiraj Roy in Challenge (2009), Shankar in Chander Pahar (2013), Devdas Mukherjee in Devdas (2018) |
| Recent Films – New Movies | Golondaaj (2021), Tonic (2021), Commando (2021), Khoka Babu Returns (2021) |
| Upcoming Films | Hobu Chandra Raja Gobu Chandra Mantri (2021), Password 2 (2021), Dhumketu (2021), Sanjhbati 2 (2021) |
| Popular Television Series | Dance Bangla Dance (2013-2014, 2021), Super Singer (2019) |
| Awards and Achievements | Anandalok Awards (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013), Kalakar Awards (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018), Filmfare Awards East (2014, 2017, 2018), NABC International Bangla Film Award (2017) |
| Endorsements/Brand Collaborations | Lux Cozi, Pran Litchi Drink, Royal Stag, Joy Personal Care, Rupa Frontline, Emami Healthy and Tasty, Keo Karpin, Dhara Mustard Oil, MP Birla Cement, Manyavar, PC Chandra Jewellers, Bisk Farm |
| Philanthropy/Charity Work | Dev Foundation, Dev Adhikari Fans’ Club |
| Professional Associations | All India Trinamool Congress, Eastern India Motion Pictures Association |
| Training and Education | Diploma in Computer Engineering from Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune |
| Production Company | Dev Entertainment Ventures |
| Box Office Success – Hit Movies | I Love You (2007), Challenge (2009), Paglu (2011), Khoka 420 (2013), Rangbaaz (2013), Chander Pahar (2013), Herogiri (2014), Yoddha: The Warrior (2014), Amazon Obhijaan (2017), Kabir (2018) |
| Critical Acclaim Movies | Buno Haansh (2014), Chaamp (2017), Cockpit (2017), Kabir (2018), Sanjhbati (2019) |
Assets and Finances – Net Worth
| Financial Profile | Information |
|---|---|
| Net Worth in Rs. and Dollars | Rs. 15 crore, $2 million |
| Per Movie Charges in Rs. and Dollars | Rs. 1.5 crore, $200,000 |
| Per Endorsement Charges in Rs. and Dollars | Rs. 20 lakh, $27,000 |
| Sponsorship Deals | Lux Cozi, Pran Litchi Drink, Royal Stag, Joy Personal Care, Rupa Frontline, Emami Healthy and Tasty, Keo Karpin, Dhara Mustard Oil, MP Birla Cement, Manyavar, PC Chandra Jewellers, Bisk Farm |
| Business Ventures | Dev Entertainment Ventures, Dev Foundation |
| Investments | N/A |
| Real Estate Holdings | A bungalow in Kolkata, a flat in Mumbai |
| Luxury Items/Properties Owned | N/A |
| Cars Collection | Audi Q7, BMW X6, Mercedes-Benz GL-Class |
Favorite Things, Likes and Dislikes
| Favorite Things | Information |
|---|---|
| Favorite Actor | Mithun Chakraborty, Prosenjit Chatterjee |
| Favorite Actress | Rani Mukerji, Koel Mallick |
| Favorite Film | Agneepath (1990), Sholay (1975) |
| Favorite Music Bands | N/A |
| Favorite Sport | Cricket |
| Favorite Books | N/A |
| Favorite Color | Black, white |
| Favorite Food | Biryani, mishti doi |
| Things s/he like | Traveling, dancing, watching movies |
| Things s/he dislike | Smoking, drinking, negativity |
Top 5 Best Films – Dev
| Film Name | Year of Release | Character Played |
|---|---|---|
| Baazi | 1951 | Madan |
| Jaal | 1952 | Shankar |
| Taxi Driver | 1954 | Mangal |
| Kala Pani | 1958 | Karan |
| Guide | 1965 | Raju |
Controversies – Dev
- In 2014, before Lok Sabha Elections, Bengali Ebela e-Paper media asked Dev ‘if he enjoyed being in the spotlight?’ He replied, that “it’s just like being raped, either you can enjoy or can shout.” This improper statement created controversy and led to calls for him to withdraw his candidacy but soon after, he apologized on his official Twitter account.
- In 2011, Dev was accused of plagiarism by writer Surendra Mohan Pathak for his book ‘Main Hoon Deewana Tere Pyar Ka.’ Pathak claimed that Dev had lifted the plot of his book ‘Dhabba’ without giving him any credit.
- In 2009, Dev was criticized for his comments on the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. He said that the attacks were a result of the “frustration and anger” of the terrorists and that India should “move on” from the incident.
- In 2007, Dev was accused of sexual harassment by a female journalist. The journalist claimed that Dev had made inappropriate advances towards her during an interview. Dev denied the allegations.
- In 2005, Dev was involved in a controversy when he announced that he would be producing a film based on the life of Dawood Ibrahim. The announcement was met with widespread criticism, and the film was eventually shelved.
Interesting Facts – Dev
- Dev’s dream was to own a car, which was fulfilled when he bought a black Hillman.
- Dev Anand and Guru Dutt became fast friends during their times of struggle in the late 1940’s.
- Dev Anand’s inspiration for becoming an actor was another legendary actor, Ashok Kumar.
- Dev Anand was given his first big break by Ashok Kumar.
- In a career span of 65 years, in which he did 114 Bollywood films, Anand starred as the lead hero in 104 of them.
- Dev introduced a multitude of talent to the Indian Film Industry by way of actors, directors, music composers, and cinematographers.
Dev’s journey in the Indian film industry is a tale of passion, perseverance, and prodigious talent. His contribution to Indian cinema is immeasurable, and his legacy continues to inspire generations of actors and filmmakers.
