“STEP INTO MY ROLE,” SAID THE STAR TO THE NEWCOMER

Stardom is an intoxicating drug. Once you feel its effect, it becomes difficult to let it go. You’ll find innumerable examples of stars who’ve tried their best to hold on to their fading popularity. Some have tried desperate measures – buying up tickets of their own movies, planting members from their fan clubs inside theatres to whistle and cheer during their scenes. That is why, the statement above or rather the sentiment behind it, has been expressed, probably only once in the film industry. And that’s why this story needs to be told.

Ashok Kumar had always been a reluctant star (another story needs to be written on this). While the career of acting was thrust down on him, he earned every bit of his success with a string of movie hits in the fifties. He was the first `bankable’ actor – an actor who could draw crowds to the theatres on the strength of his acting. And at this height of popularity, he was being approached by droves of producers, all eager to sign him on for their next project.

This story occurred on the sets of “Ziddi” in Bombay Talkies where Ashok Kumar had come for the first day of shooting. After the first few shots were taken, he went off the sets for a moment’s break and that’s when he bumped into a young man standing outside.  He was a strapping, handsome fellow whose eyes immediately locked into Ashok Kumar’s.

Making polite conversation, Ashok Kumar asked him who he was and what he was doing there. The young man replied his name was Dev Anand…he had acted in one film, but unfortunately it had not done well at the box office. He asked Ashok Kumar if he could find him some work, any role would do.  

Ashok Kumar thought for a while – and then gestured to Dev Anand to follow him inside. He led him to the sets where the next shot was being lit…asked where the producer and director of the film were and immediately herded all of them into a room for an impromptu meeting. Here he dropped the bombshell before them all, Dev Anand included!

He asked the makers of the film to consider Dev Anand for the lead role in the film, for the part he was acting in. The producer of the film and its director, Shahid Latif were both aghast. It was a preposterous suggestion and they dismissed it immediately. But Ashok Kumar was adamant; it seemed that he had up his mind that Dev Anand was more suitable for the role than he was. He made all the logical arguments – they should at least try out the young man, that they had hardly shot any scenes with him, so there wasn’t even a cost issue. And then, the final argument – if things didn’t work out with Dev, he assured them that he would step back into the film.

It was an extremely hesitant producer and director who finally agreed to try out Dev Anand – on the guarantee that Ashok Kumar would be back if things went wrong. And boy, did things go wrong. The very first scene stretched on for eight takes and a nervous Dev Anand knew that the director would soon lose his patience with him.

Sure enough, Ashok Kumar was summoned and told that this new fellow wasn’t working out and he would have to do the role. But Ashok Kumar wasn’t finished – he took Dev Anand aside and gently asked him why he was so short on confidence. It turned out that there were simple communication issues with Shahid Latif’s instructions and once they were sorted out, the next take was in the cans at the first go.

As Dev Anand continued with the shooting, Ashok Kumar watched him for a few more scenes. Once he was satisfied that the new actor was working out just fine in the role he had renounced, he turned around and left the studio content. 

Content because Ashok Kumar the star had several projects in the pipeline. But Ashok Kumar, the man had just given an opportunity to a complete stranger to find his own place in the film industry…and he hoped with all his heart that he would find it.