Suniel Anand, Son of Dev Anand, Passes Away at 70: A Legacy Remembered
Tragic Loss in the Film Industry
Mumbai: Suniel Anand, the son of the iconic actor Dev Anand and actress Kalpana Kartik, has passed away at the age of 70 in London due to a heart attack, as confirmed by family sources on Tuesday.
Suniel made his acting debut in 1984 with the film Anand aur Anand, directed by his father. He later appeared in films such as Car Thief, Main Tere Liye, and Master, but he never reached the same level of fame as his father.
He died on July 26 in London. Dev Anand's daughter, Devina, is reportedly traveling to London, as shared by Mohan Churiwala, a close friend of the family.
Suniel is survived by his mother, Kalpana Kartik, and his sister, Devina.
After the passing of Dev Anand in 2011 at the age of 88, Suniel took over the management of Navketan Films, the family production company known for classics like Guide, Hum Dono, and Hare Rama Hare Krishna. In a 2023 interview, he reflected on his father's legacy, describing him as a cultured actor who was passionate about reading and maintained a keen awareness of his appearance.
Suniel dedicated 40 years of his life to supporting his father, managing his health, schedules, and their film company, Navketan.
He also coordinated the screening of their classic film Guide at the Cannes Film Festival in 2008, marking it as the first Indian classic to be featured at the prestigious event, a significant achievement for his father, their company, and India.
Additionally, Suniel had plans to create a Hollywood film based on his father's life, stating, "It's a grand movie dedicated to my father. I am both producing and directing it. The legacy continues, and I will ensure my father's memory lives on."
