Dev Anand Family Tree: The Story Behind Bollywood's Evergreen

Dharamdev Pishorimal Anand (1923–2011), born 26 September 1923 in Shakargarh, Gurdaspur, Punjab, British India (now Pakistan), and died 3 December 2011 in London, was one of Bollywood's most-iconic romantic heroes — leading roles in Baazi (1951), Taxi Driver (1954), Kala Pani (1958), Kala Bazar (1960), Guide (1965), Jewel Thief (1967), Johny Mera Naam (1970), Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971), Des Pardes (1978); Padma Bhushan (2001); Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2002).

The Family's Roots: A Punjabi Family in Gurdaspur

The Anand family is Punjabi Hindu Khatri from Gurdaspur (now Pakistan).

His Parents

Father: Pishori Lal Anand — Gurdaspur pleader (lawyer).

Mother: Kamla Anand — homemaker.

His Brothers

Chetan Anand (1921–1997) — elder brother; filmmaker; founded Navketan Films with Dev; Neecha Nagar won Palme d'Or 1946.

Vijay Anand "Goldie" (1934–2004) — younger brother; iconic director (Guide, Jewel Thief, Teesri Manzil).

His Sister

Sheel Kanta — sister; her son is filmmaker Shekhar Kapur.

His Wife: Kalpana Kartik

Kalpana Kartik (born Mona Singha), born 19 August 1931 — Bollywood actress. Married Dev on 8 May 1954 on the set of Taxi Driver.

Their Children

Suneil Anand, born 1956 — son; actor.

Devina Anand, born 1958 — daughter.

The Anand Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Pishori Lal Anand — Gurdaspur pleader.

Mother: Kamla Anand.

Brothers: Chetan Anand (1921–1997) — filmmaker; Vijay Anand "Goldie" (1934–2004) — director.

Sister: Sheel Kanta — mother of Shekhar Kapur.

Nephew: Shekhar Kapur (b. 6 December 1945) — Bollywood/Hollywood director (Mr. India, Elizabeth).

Wife: Kalpana Kartik (b. 19 August 1931; m. 8 May 1954).

Children: Suneil Anand (b. 1956) — actor; Devina Anand (b. 1958).

Dev Anand:

  • Born 26 September 1923, Shakargarh (now Pakistan)
  • English literature graduate, Government College Lahore (1943)
  • Moved to Bombay 1943 after Partition; film debut 1946 (Hum Ek Hain)
  • Navketan Films founded 1949 with brother Chetan
  • 114 films across career
  • Padma Bhushan: 2001; Dadasaheb Phalke Award: 2002
  • Died: 3 December 2011, London Washington Mayfair Hotel — heart attack at 88

What the Anand Family Story Teaches Us

A pleader father in Gurdaspur. 3 brothers, one sister — the family produced 3 major Bollywood figures (Dev, Chetan, Vijay) plus a nephew (Shekhar Kapur) who became a global director. A wife who was also an actress. Two children. A career of 114 films spanning 6+ decades.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Dev Anand story carries the same lesson. Some families produce three cinema legends in one household.

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