Dev Anand was the only actor I used to call by first name, says Waheeda Rehman as filmdom celebrates the legend’s 100th birth anniversary

In an address to the gathering, veteran actress and Dev Anand's 'Guide' co-star, Waheeda Rehman, turned nostalgic remembering her days of working with the legend, who ruled the Mumbai film circuit from 1940s-1970s.

Rehman recalled Dev Anand was the only actor whom she used to call by his first name, of course upon persistence by the "evergreen hero" himself.

She says, "I feel myself lucky to do my first film working with Dev-saab and it was 'C.I.D.'. When I was introduced to him, I referred to him as Dev-saab. But he asked me to call him Dev and not as Dev-saab. So I asked him, 'How can I call you Dev, you are so senior to me, such a big star and this is my first film'. So he told me he didn't feel comfortable when he was referred to as 'saab'. He told me, 'I feel like a school teacher' (smiles)."

"He was the only hero and an actor whom I used to call by his first name. He never made me realise he was such a big star back then and older than me. He made me feel so comfortable. He was very cooperative. I am so proud to work with a legend like Dev Anand."

"He was, is and will be forever evergreen. He was a very charming person, very dedicated, punctual and thorough gentleman. It was such a pleasure to work with him," Rehman said and added, "He was one of the reasons behind me being in 'Guide'. He used to tell me, 'No one would play Rosie (Waheeda Rehman's role) except you, Waheeda'."

Rehman, who was brought to the Mumbai film circuit by director-producer-actor Guru Dutt, made her Bollywood debut with 'C.I.D.' starring opposite Dev Anand.

Dev Anand, who is one of the biggest stars in Indian cinema, made his debut with 1946 film 'Hum Ek Hain'. He first gained recognition with 1951 film Baazi'.

Among his successful films are 'Jaal', 'Taxi Driver', 'Insaniyat', 'Kala Pani', 'Kala Bazar'.

While he gained the fame of a romantic hero in the 1960s with 'Manzil', 'Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai', 'Hum Dono', he achieved a huge feat with 1965 film 'Guide', which was based on a novel by R.K. Narayanan.

Among his hits in the 1970s and 1980s are 'Johny Mera Naam', 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna', 'Banarasi Babu', 'Heera Panna', 'Lootmar' et al.