With a career spanning across six decades and over a hundred films to his name, the late legend Dev Anand carved his name in the higher echelons of Bollywood alongside other iconic artistes like Dilip Kumar and Guru Dutt. If you too are an admirer of Anand’s timeless filmography as an actor and director, we’ve got you covered with a definitive list of his best movies along with a handy guide to stream them all.
Where can you stream Dev Anand’s best movies?
You can watch most of Dev Anand’s mainstream hits and cult favourites on Prime Video and Eros Now. As for the rest of his filmography, you can watch many of them on ZEE5 and Vi Movies & TV as well. Voot, Shemaroo, and YUPP TV are other platforms to stream.
Dev Anand: A “Guide” to his Legendary Career
Struggling to make his mark since the last years of the British Raj, the man born as Dharamdev Pishorimal Anand made his early breakthrough in post-Independence India with the 1948 social drama Ziddi, where his charming persona and nuanced acting captivated audiences.
He continued to shine in iconic films like Guru Dutt’s revolutionary neo-noir Baazi (1951) and Vijay Anand’s globally-acclaimed tragedy Guide (1965), which showcased his shapeshifting versatility and unconventional approach to storytelling. His collaboration with directors like Guru Dutt and Vijay Anand resulted in timeless classics that redefined Indian cinema's narrative and aesthetic norms.
Other timeless hits in Anand’s repertoire include the empathetic war drama Hum Dono (1961), the crime caper Jewel Thief (1967), the prison drama Kaala Pani (1958), and the heist thriller Johny Mera Naam (1970), Anand's career spanned over six decades, leaving an indelible mark on Bollywood.
In Hum Dono, the “Evergreen Star of Bollywood” showcased his acting prowess by portraying dual roles of wartorn soldiers with nuance and depth, earning critical acclaim for his performance. Jewel Thief further solidified his status as a leading man, with his charismatic portrayal of a master thief entangled in a web of intrigue and suspense.
Kaala Pani exemplified Anand's ability to delve into darker themes, portraying a convict facing injustice and redemption in the notorious Cellular Jail of Andaman. The film's gripping narrative and Anand's compelling performance garnered widespread acclaim.
Johny Mera Naam epitomized Anand's collaboration with director Vijay Anand, delivering a high-octane thriller that became a blockbuster hit. Anand's portrayal of the titular character, a suave conman seeking revenge, resonated with audiences and further solidified his status as a matinee idol.
As a filmmaker, Paying Guest (1957), marked the beginning of a successful directorial career. Films like Hare Krishna Hare Ram (1971) dared to explore then-taboo subjects like drug abuse with sensitivity, earning both critical acclaim and commercial success.
Why is Guide Dev Anand’s best movie to watch?
Guide, based on RK Narayan's tragic romantic novel of the same name, is arguably Dev Anand's strongest work as a serious actor. The movie kicks off with Anand's playful tour guide who goes through a major existential crisis after a turbulent romance gone wrong and a stint as a false prophet. Taking on multiple themes like loveless relationships and existential nihilism, Guide benefits greatly from not just Anand's lead turn but also a career-best performance by Waheeda Rahman as an unhappily married woman who crosses the protagonist's path.
While the Vijay Anand-directed feature lacks the merry song-and-dance numbers of Anand's previous filmography, composer SD Burman and lyricist Shailendra unite for some classic poetically introspective songs playing out in the backdrop of grand set pieces laden with magical realism. Decades since its release, the legacy of Guide lives on among Bollywood worshippers with even Cannes Film Festival screening it after 42 years in 2007.
