Gulzar on Deven Verma: He was a great actor, I wouldn’t call him a comedian

Veteran actor and filmmaker Deven Verma passed away in Pune on Tuesday at 2 am, following a cardiac arrest. He was married to Rupa Ganguli, younger daughter of late actor Ashok Kumar. The 78-year-old actor won three Filmfare Awards for 'Chori Mera Kaam' (1975), 'Chor Ke Ghar Chor' (1978) and Gulzar’s 'Angoor' (1983). Professional assignments aside, few people got to taste Deven’s off-the-set humour.He once joked, “I’m married to a Bengali and Sharmila, who is a Bengali, is a close friend of mine.
The Bongs often get their genders mixed up because in Bangla you ask — ‘Cha khabo?’ that means ‘will you eat tea?’” He laughed and added once Rinku (Sharmila) got her gender mixed up and instead of saying chhata (umbrella) she said chhati (chest). Yet another time the late actor described why a superstar had got a nerve disorder, saying, “He uses his nerves much too long, that’s why he’s got a serious nerve condition.” Of course, all of this was said in good humour and not to be taken seriously.

ALSO READ: Deven Varma: Celebs remember the late actor
Gulzar : He was a great actor, I wouldn’t call him a comedian
'Angoor' (1983) was one of the major films we worked on together. I was in regular touch with him, even though he had moved to Pune. He had told me about his heart problem. He wanted to have a screening of 'Angoor' at a club and wanted me to present it, but it didn’t happen. He was a great actor, I wouldn’t call him a comedian. He never used buffoonery that we’re used to attaching with comedy, now. He played his two characters in 'Angoor' differently. The only similarity between the two is the name, rest everything — from the body language to the way they spoke — every nuance was distinct. I got the news of his demise from a common friend in Pune and immediately conveyed my condolences. It sounds clichéd… There’s only so much you can do, hold the hand.. one can’t do more than that.. He lived his life well, his sense of humour was there till the end, despite being unwell. While he had a sense of humour and was a very lively person, with spirit and energy, he was also a sober person at the same time. One could consult him on personal matters and he would give sound advice. His demise is a loss.

Sharmila Tagore: Deven was one of the few friends I had in the industry
Deven Verma was a very good friend, in fact, one of the few friends I had in the industry. We worked together in 'Anupama' (1966), 'Devar' (1966) and 'Yakeen' (1969) which he also produced. He was very good friends with Yash Chopra and Thakur Lulla, who produced 'Anupama'. He also got along very well with my husband (Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi). I worked with him in his directorial venture, 'Besharam' (1978) that had Amitabh Bachchan. It didn’t do well but that didn’t dampen his enthusiasm. We lost touch when I left Mumbai and he moved to Pune. Once upon a time, we’d spend a lot of time together and shared many happy moments. On Sundays, we’d all get together at Romesh Sharma’s or Danny’s house and play cricket around there. We had a lot of fun times in those days. Deven was an amusing and gregarious person, very friendly and got along with people of different ages. It’s hard to believe he was 78. I shall miss him. May God rest his soul in peace.

Rishi Kapoor: He was a well read person and you could talk to him on any subject
Although I haven’t been in touch with Deven Verma since he retired and settled in his hometown, Pune, my memories of working with him are very clear. Early on in my career I worked with him in Yashji’s (Yash Chopra) 'Kabhi Kabhie' (1976). After which I worked with him in many movies like 'Doosra Aadmi' (1977), 'Aapke Deewane' (1980) and 'Deewana' (1992), besides he also acted in our home-production 'Biwi-O-Biwi' (1981). My early impressions of Deven Verma were that he was a very educated, well read and informed person and you could talk to him on any subject, any time. He was a very subtle and poker-faced actor, sometimes too subtle. He would quote American actors like Bob Hope, Peter Sellers and talk of actors in a way it would help him. He would keep to himself, no camps for him, though he was very good friends with Yashji and my uncle Shashi Kapoor. Deven Verma and Amjad Khan were two very well read and informed actors. I always wanted to know why he retired early; he was very appreciated and successful. He was a very great actor. I pray that God bless his soul.

Some films as an actor
Anupama (1966)
Devar (1966)
Buddha Mil Gaya (1971)
Mere Apne (1971)
Kora Kaagaz (1974)
Chori Mera Kaam (1975)
Kabhi Kabhie (1976)
Khatta Meetha (1977)
Besharam (1978)
Chor Ke Ghar Chor (1978)
Golmaal (1979)
Lok Parlok (1979)
Aapke Deewane (1980)
Judaai (1980)
Angoor (1982)
Nastik (1983)
Dil (1990)
Chamatkaar (1992)
Deewana (1992)
Andaz Apna Apna (1994)
Yeh Dillagi (1994)
Dil Toh Pagal Hai (1997)
Ishq (1997)
Also produced and directed
Besharam (1978)
Dana Paani (1989)
Watch: Veteran Bollywood ActorDeven Verma Passed Away - TOI