Dev Anand's funeral to be held in London today

New Delhi:  The last rites of the legend of Indian Cinema, Dev Anand, will take place in London today. The funeral will be followed by an afternoon memorial service at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in West London. 

The evergreen romantic star, who gave hits like Guide and Hare Rama Hare Krishna, died after a cardiac arrest in London on Sunday. He was 88. 

On Tuesday, in a statement, his family said, "We are now in a position to confirm that a cremation ceremony will be taking place in London, followed by a memorial gathering and tribute in the UK Capital. In due course, Mr. Anand's ashes will be taken back to India, where a major ceremony of remembrance will be held in Mumbai, the Capital of the Indian Film Industry." 

Dev Anand made his debut as an actor in 1946 in "Hum Ek Hain". By the time his "Ziddi" was released in 1947 he was a superstar and then never looked back.  

Versatile Dev Anand has given countless hits like "Paying Guest", "Baazi", "Jewel Thief ", "CID", "Johny Mera Naam", "Amir Garib", "Warrant", "Hare Rama Hare Krishna" and "Des Pardes". 

For his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema, Dev Anand was honoured with the prestigious the 'Padma Bhushan' in 2001 and 'Dada Saheb Phalke Award' in 2002. 

He established his film production company 'Navketan International Films' in 1949 and has produced more than 35 movies. 

Dev Anand has won two Filmfare Awards - India's equivalent of the Oscars - in 1958 for his performance in the film "Kala Paani" (Black Water) and in 1966 for his performance in "Guide". 

"Guide" went on to win Filmfare Awards in five other categories including "Best Film" and "Best Director" and was sent as India's entry for the Oscars in the foreign film category that year.

He co-produced the English Version of "Guide" with the Nobel Laureate Pearl S Buck ("The Good Earth"). In 1993, he received a Filmfare "Lifetime Achievement Award" and in 1996 he received a Screen Videocon "Lifetime Achievement Award".

Of late he was involved in the direction of a new all American film Project "Song Of Life" - a musical love story which was to be shot in the United States. 

He was to play the central character in the film which was to have a predominantly American star cast. 

Dev Anand is the second of three brothers who were active in Hindi Cinema. His brothers are Chetan Anand and Vijay Anand. Their sister, Sheel Kanta Kapur, is the mother of renowned film director Shekhar Kapur.