Ajit Parasnis: The top cop who called him 'tu'
The former DGP of Maharashtra was a great fan of the actor since his childhood and had seen most of his films several times when he was young. In 1966, he met the actor for the first time while he was additional Commissioner of Police. In just few meetings, they became so close that the actor regarded him like son and Parsanis addressed him with the informal 'tu' instead of the formal 'aap'.
“He was the most down to earth film actor and very good human being,” Parsanis says. Describing one of the most memorable moments, Parsnasis says, “I had invited Dev Saab for my daughter's marriage. That day he was recording a song with Bhappi Lahiri. I was later told he left the recording in the middle and came to give blessings to my daughter.”
“For me he is still alive, in his films which I watch even now,” says Parsanis, who feels himself lucky to “did my duty” by performing last rites of the actor along with latter's son by immersing his ashes in Godavari, Nashik.
Anand Thirani: The man who gifted him those scarves
Anand Thirani was Dev Anand's ardent fan since as a school student in Kolkata. “I was studying in college in Mumbai when I went to meet Dev Saab at Anand studio after seeking a friend's help. It was most wonderful moment of my life. Our bond grew stronger gradually over the years,” says Thirani who eventually became a big businessman and travelled across the world.
He made a point to visit all prominent locations which were shown in Actor's films. It was Thirani who used to bring the signature scarves the star wore in many of his films. Thirani becomes emotional as he says,“Many scarves are still lying with me as I couldn't gift him all of them.”
Mohan Chudiwala: A fan who doubled up as the actor's associate for 15 years
A stock broker by profession, Chudiwala was a close associate of the Dev Anand in the last 15 years of the actor's life, streamlining his work, meetings with people, media management. All this for free.
Chudiwala also began as one of Dev Anand's many fans, till he met the actor for the first time. It was the actor's humbleness, love and passion for filmmaking that he made him volunteer to help. “His doors were always open for his fans and he met each of them with the same love and respect. I feel lucky to have assisted my hero when he needed it most,” says Chudiwala with tears in his eyes sharing actor's songs in the WhatsApp group of 500 ardent fans from across the world.
Vijay Kalantri: The man who used to throw parties to celebrate the actor's milestones
Kalantri was a 24-year-old man living in Bandra when he got a chance to meet his icon at his Pali Hill studio. “A bond was established immediately. I was mesmerised to see him before me and was almost stunned when he said, 'Milte raha karo (do come often).' I was on the top of the world,” smiles Kalantri who later became actor's 2 am friend.
“Whenever he got free from his work, he used to call me asking me to come and chat. We talked about every topic under the sun,” said Kalantri who is now MD of Dighi Port and Vice chairman of World Trade Centre, Mumbai. He is known for throwing lavish parties for all the actor's milestones inluding his 60th, 70th and 80th birthdays, winning the Padma Bhushan and Dada Saheb Phalke awards and the release of his autobiography.
