He sold his house and wife's jewellery for a flop movie, but within minutes was ready for another film

Economic Times

a day ago

Synopsis
Dev Anand's 1974 film Ishk Ishk Ishk, starring Shabana Azmi and Zeenat Aman, was one of his most ambitious projects, funded by selling his house and his wife's jewellery. As recalled by his nephew, filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, the film's failure became apparent within minutes of its premiere, wiping out Anand's investment. Yet, the actor showed no despair—returning moments later with an idea for a new film. Known for viewing financial sacrifice as part of filmmaking,
Bollywood superstar sold his home for a movie that failed Dev Anand's career in Indian cinema is filled with memorable films and iconic performances, but behind the glamour, there were moments of immense struggle. One such turning point came in the mid-1970s, when his most ambitious film project collapsed at the box office, taking his entire investment with it. Yet, as those close to him recall, his ability to recover emotionally within minutes turned the setback into a lasting lesson in resilience.
In 1974, Dev Anand took on one of the most ambitious projects of his career—Ishk Ishk Ishk. Directed by Anand himself, the film featured a star-studded cast including Shabana Azmi, Zeenat Aman, Zarina Wahab, Jeevan, and Kabir Bedi, with music by R.D. Burman. Anand had invested heavily in the production, even selling his house and his wife's jewellery to fund it.Shekhar Kapur recalled during an interaction on Filmfare's YouTube channel that he attended the premiere because of a small role in the film. After the screening, they returned to Anand's suite at the Oberoi Hotel, where the actor began receiving congratulatory calls from industry colleagues. However, within minutes, troubling news emerged—reports came in that audiences were walking out of theatres during the screening.According to Kapur, it took only about fifteen minutes for the reality to sink in. The box office response made it clear that the film had failed, wiping out Anand's investment. Kapur observed the change in his expression as the truth set in, but what followed left a lasting impression on him. Anand excused himself, stepped into the bathroom, and returned just five minutes later with renewed energy. He told Kapur that he had just thought of an idea for a new film and suggested they start working on it immediately.Kapur also recounted another instance that showcased Anand's perspective on filmmaking. During a breakfast meeting with a producer, the conversation turned to the sacrifices made for a new project. The producer admitted to selling personal possessions, including his wife's jewellery and his house, to finance the film. Without hesitation, Anand responded that this was exactly how films should be made.
While Ishk Ishk Ishk turned out to be a commercial failure, the episode became a testament to Dev Anand's refusal to dwell on loss. His ability to move forward almost instantly left a deep impression on those who knew him. As Shekhar Kapur noted, watching Anand face such a setback taught valuable lessons about perseverance—an enduring part of the actor's legacy in Indian cinema.