Dev Anand was stylish and well-read: Vyjayanthimala

Mumbai: Yesteryears’ actress Vyjayanthimala remembers Dev Anand as a stylish and cultured co-star with whom she did hit movie ‘Jewel Thief’. She also reveals that in those days she used to crave to work with a tall actor and that Dev Anand "came along at the right time".

Bollywood`s evergreen star Dev Anand died of a heart attack Sunday in London. He was 88. "He was a bundle of energy always. It`s hard to imagine he is no more. I first met him on the sets of `Amar Deep`. A really handsome man with impeccable manners. And yes, tall, ha ha. I needed a tall hero. During my time I was supposed to be a tall heroine and I really craved to work with a hero who could be well-matched with me. Dev came along at the right time. And he was well-read, educated, cultured and erudite," she said. Vyjayanthimala and Dev Anand became a hit pair after the success of ‘Jewel Thief’ and the actress says that she had a gala time while working in the film, which was directed by Vijay Anand. "I went on to do a far more successful film `Jewel Thief` with him. I don`t know what magic worked for that film. But our pairing is remembered to this day for `Jewel Thief`. I had shared some very good times with Dev and his brother Goldie (Vijay Anand) during `Jewel Thief`. We shot in the outdoors of Gangtok. That was fun. "Then there was that song `Hothon pe aisi baat`, which required inhuman amounts of stamina and energy from me. I think the fact that I was working with Dev saab gave me that energy and stamina," she said. "I remember after we finished shooting this song, Dev saab clapped. He was a very generous co-star and a very stylish man. He was very particular about camera angles and wanted to be captured in the best possible way on screen. He took great care over his appearance. I think he defined celluloid heroism," she added. "I think I am the female Dev Anand," said Vyjayanthimala, referring to the iconic star`s energy-level. IANS