Romancing with Life: An Autobiography

There is NO DVD that comes with this book. So, buyer be aware!It is very well written with lots of interesting history of Indian cinema.I would highly recommend this book to you!Bharat[...]

Dev Anand, my favorite actor since my childhood has written mostly about his achievements, and his roaming around the world - in almost every country - finding an idea for his films. He made films after films based on whims and experiences in foreign lands.But he will most be remembered for his classics like Taxi Driver, Munimjee and Guide. His romantic escapades, mostly with married inviting women are elaborately described. One feels that much of these descriptions should have been avoided in this autobiography, for his fans want to remember him as a debonair hero, not as a lusty man. It is incredible that even at the age of 83 he made a film called Mr. Prime Minister with himself in the leading role. Truly, he lived as an evergreen hero. There is very little he says about his wife Kalpana Kartik (Mona Singha in real life. One wonders if there was any real connection between them in later years. Informative reading only for his most devoted fans!

It was a wonderful work written by Late Dev Anand. It throws some light on life in the forties in metro Bombay.and in the film world.

Bollywood screen legend Dev Anand finally opens up about his life and times in an autobigraphy that is as entertaining as almost any movie he has ever starred in. For a man who has repeatedly claimed that he doesn't dwell on the past, his memory of events that took place more than a half century ago is remarkably vivid. His struggles in Bombay, his failed romance with then reigning superstar Suraiyya, his friendship with film maker, and real life tragedian, Gurudutt (Dev Anand was one of the first to witness the film maker's dead body), his many encounters with women (the one with the middle aged Parsi woman on the train is absolutely hilarious), are all narrated with admirable eloquence and honesty. However, there are other moments in the book when he is not as forthcoming and one gets the distinct feeling he has something to hide. His confession of love for protege Zeenat Aman comes as a shock not because it cannot be true but because by the time he makes it, his relationship with her is almost over.It's only in the latter part of the book, where he talks about the last couple of decades, that the narrative slips somewhat and I found myself skimming over some of the pages. Clearly, he is not too proud of the recent past (who can blame him) but his youthful, 'evergreen' image won't allow him to admit it. There is a bit of bluster about his many directorial disasters (which, as a Dev Anand fan, I must confess has been painful to witness. One is tempted to sing 'Kya Se Kya Ho Gaya' like his character in the classic 'Guide'.) If he is to be believed, hits and flops don't matter to him at all! What he seems to be concealing is that he, like many 'has been' movie makers before him, is desperate for another hit, just so he can finally bid us farewell and ride off into the sunset.There is plenty here that should be of interest not only to Dev Anand fans but also to anyone interested in Bollywood, and post-independence Indian, history. There are pleasant recollections of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, whom he met along with Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor, Bollywood's famous triumvirate of the 1950s (the three cheekily quiz a blushing Nehru about his affair with Lady Mountbatten), and other Indian and world celebrities. He discusses his brief foray into politics in the 1970s and the reasons that compelled him in that direction. He talks about his estrangement from elder brother and mentor, Chetan Anand. At the end of the book, I felt a much greater affinity for the man (not that he needs any more of it in this life time) and a better appreciation of his humanity. Indeed, I was left with a feeling not different from what I have often felt at the end of many of his movies. I wished it didn't have to end.

This book was purchased as a present for someone who has seen eveyone of Dev's movies. I was very excited about getting this for her as it came with a bonus DVD! well .. the dvd does not work and the replacement that Amazon graciously sent also did not work .. something about territory / zone issues ... tried to get computer expert help to sort out but to no avail. However, the book was a good read and revealed that Mr. Dev Anand was a differert dreamer who marched to a drum in his own head quite a bit. a simple read that definitely left more untold than told.. a bit of a whitewashed bio but none the less it was a nice read. Unfortunately the DVD still has not worked and shed a dark pallor on my shiny present! a bit like a kid who gets a toy robot for the holidays that just sits there dispite the battery changes and tossing around. I guess I could contact Penguin books as I have no where else to get help on this one.

Great product quality with reasonable shipping time. At such a great price worth the extra wait. thanks so much

Mr Anand is my grandfather's generation, and that shows the relevance and the intensity of his talent that people such as me are fans of his. I really loved 'Romancing With Life.' It is an accessible text and contains an inspiring, energetic and powerful tale of an incredible man. His contributions in Indian cinema are ground-breaking and you will be able to learn all about them as you read this beautiful autobiography. My favourite part of the novel, however, was Mr Anand's failed romance with Suraiya. I feel that is something that every reader can relate to in some form. What I particularly found inspiring was how Mr Anand launched several actresses that are now veteran legends in Bollywood. I will now try to emulate Mr Anand's wonderful living philosophy – "Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya Aur Har Fikar Ko Dhuyen Mein Udata Chala Gaya." ("I kept on giving life company and blew every weary thought away like smoke-rings.")

My favourite

Bot this again for my husband - He has spent many a happy hour reading this. Says everytime he picks it up and reads he finds something new that he missed the first time. Recommend this to any Indian Cinema lover -

A wonderful Read

In great condition, loved it.