Known for restrained and subtle comedy roles, actor Deven Verma passed away in a private hospital in Pune on Tuesday following a heart attack at the age of 77. He had gone away from arc lights more than a decade back. The gifted actor did not want to figure in what he felt cheap comic roles. He is survived by his wife Rupa Ganguly, daughter of legendary actor Ashok Kumar.
While the cine going public remembers Verma for his comedy, the actor was noticed for the first time in the early 1960s for his acting skills in film Devar starring Dharmendra and Sharmila Tagore. Playing a slightly negative role, Verma was faultless in enacting the role of a scheming advocate to woo the heroine and marry her. Songs like “aaya hai mujhe fir yaad woh zalim guzra zamana bachapan kaa” sung by Mukesh in this film is evergreen.
He later on went on to work with Dharmendra and Sharmila in films like Anupama and his own home production Yakeen. Most of these films were hits and continue to entertain till date despite being more than 40 years old.
In a career spanning many decades, Verma shifted gears by going in for author backed comedy roles and brought a touch of subtle humour. Starting with Dharmaputra, (1961) produced by BR Chopra, Verma starred in over 100 films winning critical acclaim. His notable films include Angoor, Chori Mera Kaam, Devar, Anupama, Golmaal, Buddha Mil Gaya, Khatta Mitha, Naastik, Rang Birangi, Dil, Judaai, Andaz Apna Apna, and Dil Toh Pagal Hai.
Most of his films where he enacted comic roles were rooted in middle class sensibilities. Another versatile director Gulzar exploited his talent in films like Angoor, starring one of the best actors of that time — Sanjeev Kumar. Both these actors played double roles and Verma’s character named Bahadur is still remembered.
Of course, Hrishkesh Mukherjee, who directed him in Anupama, selected Verma for all time favourite comedy-based film Golmaal. It also featured equally good actors like Amol Palekar and Utpal Dutt and the present YouTube generation is also fan of this breezy comedy. Khatta Meetha is another such film where Verma and fellow actors, including Ashok Kumar, bring out the daily struggle of a middle class family to make two ends meet.
Verma became producer with Yakeen in 1969. This film starring Dharmendra and Sharmila Tagore is an action film where Dharam looks dashing as the original he-man. Verma also took to direction two years later with Nadaan and Besharam. He has acted in three Marathi films and a Gujarati movie. Verma was last seen in two films Mere Yaar ki Shaadi Hai and Calcutta Mail, a decade ago after which he retired.
Several Bollywood celebrities like Aamir Khan, Karan Johar, Anushka Sharma, Riteish Deshmukh and Manoj Bajpayee mourned Verma’s demise. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the actor’s death.