To celebrate Dev Anand’s birth centenary, the Film Heritage Foundation (FHF) has curated a film festival for his fans, titled ‘Dev Anand@100 – Forever Young’, that will bring the superstar’s iconic films back to the big screen. The two-day film festival will be held on Sept 23 and 24 in 30 cities. These films have been selected by the Film Heritage Foundation (FHF) in collaboration with the NFDC (National Film Development Corporation of India) and NFAI (National Film Archive of India) which restored these films. I&B and FHF officials say that the idea behind this festival is to reintroduce Dev Anand’s films to a new generation and rekindle nostalgia for those who love his films.

After ‘Bachchan Back to the Beginning’ and ‘Dilip Kumar – Hero of Heroes’ last year, exhibitors along with Film Heritage Foundation and National Film Development Corporation, are organizing a film fest to mark Dev Anand’s birth centenary on Sept 23 & 24.

The films have been chosen to introduce the new generation to unforgettable Dev Anand characters – Inspector Shekhar in the thriller C.I.D., Raju, the tour guide, in Guide, Vinay/Amar in the spy thriller Jewel Thief and Johny Mera Naam’s Johny.

‘As Dev saab turns 100 this year, I still remember how his attitude and singular style in his performances would get us out of our hostel beds in the middle of the night, jump the boundary walls of the college to the nearest film theatre repeatedly, just to witness the magic of his charm and energy. And on our way back we would sing along with his songs, his deliveries of dialogue and create this wonderful world he had structured for us to be remembered forever.’

— Amitabh Bachchan

It is important for the public to witness Dev Anand on the big screen once again, just as they did during his heyday decades ago. The NFDC-NFAI is leaving no effort spared to ensure that these films are presented in the best possible way, with hundreds of restoration artists technicians, graders, DOPs, sound engineers and archivists, spread across multiple cities, are hard at work to once again bring these films to life. The restoration of the films is being undertaken as part of the National Film Heritage Mission and funded by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

-Prithul Kumar, MD NFDC and Joint Secretary (Films)

‘I’m delighted that the festival will open with Johny Mera Naam, the first film I worked on with him. He was already a megastar when I was cast in this film, but he never made me feel like a newcomer. Afterward, we worked on several films that became big hits. His unique and inimitable style was a delight to watch, not only for the audience but also for me. I have very fond memories of Dev saheb. There can never be another Dev Anand’

— Hema Malini

‘I grew up watching Dev Anand’s films. I have admired Dev saab since my childhood; he was my hero and mentor. He gave me my first break with Swami Dada (1982), and I was fortunate to work with him on several films. His energy surpassed even the youngest person on the set. I learned so much from him, and I am grateful that his films are preserved and restored so that young actors today can continue to learn and appreciate the work of a legend’

— Jackie Shroff

As we celebrate his centennial, I’d like to say that dad’s movies were decades ahead of their time. I’m confident that the fest will be a huge success, and newer audiences will rediscover the youthful magic of my father – who will forever stay young on screen

— Suneil Anand, Dev Anand’s son

Parag Maniar (BOMBAY TIMES; April 5, 2015)

Model-actress Lisa Ray will make a comeback in Friday Cine Entertainment's Ishq Forever, produced by Ajay Shah, Harry Gandhi and Shabbir Boxwala. The romantic flick is set to roll in South Africa later this month with Ruhi Singh, who made India proud by winning the first ever Miss Universal Peace and Humanity title. She won the crown amongst 145 countries. She plays the lead opposite Krishna Chaturvedi.

Casting director Mukesh Chhabra has put together a promising supporting cast. The highlight of Ishq Forever is its melodious music that has been composed by Nadeem Saifee (of Nadeem-Shravan), who has given evergreen hits like Phool Aur Kaante (1991) and Dilwale (1994). The songs are written by award-winning lyricist Sameer.

First-timer Sameer Sippy, son of yesteryear filmmaker Raj Sippy (Boxer (1984), Baazi (1984) and Satte Pe Satta (1982) among others) makes his directorial debut here. He has assisted Tarun Mansukhani on Dostana (2008) and Farhan Akhtar on Lakshya (2004).

Shabbir Boxwala is also elated that his banner will collaborate with Trimurti Films, one of Bollywood's most prestigious production houses. He, Ajay Shah (co-producer) and Rajiv Rai, who collaborated earlier on super-duper hits like Mohra (1994) and Gupt (1997), have plans to remake one of Dev Anand's memorable thriller Johny Mera Naam (1970) and also the iconic Amitabh Bachchan-Shashi Kapoor film Deewaar (1975), both of which were produced by Rajiv's father, Gulshan Rai under their family banner.