Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Secretary Recalls Dev Anand and Suraiya's Near Reunion at Awards
Long, long ago, there was a famous Bollywood actor named Dev Anand and a famous singer named Suraiya.
They fell in love after he saved her from drowning while they were shooting a movie, but Suraiya's grandmother did not want them to be together.
So the two could not marry, and they went their separate ways for many years.
Later, both were invited to an awards show in Film City, and Suraiya wanted to see Dev Anand again.
Dev Anand was shy and nervous about meeting her after so long.
When they finally met backstage, they were both very quiet and emotional.
Dev Anand gently touched her cheek and said her name, and they talked a little.
Then he asked her to present an award to Lata Mangeshkar, a famous singer.
After that, Dev Anand left quietly through the back door.
It was a very special, sad moment between two people who once loved each other.
Dev Anand and Suraiya fell in love after he saved her from drowning during the shoot of the song 'Kinare Kinare Chale Jayen Ge' for the film Vidya.
Suraiya's grandmother opposed the inter-faith match and reportedly ruined their plans to elope, ending the relationship.
In a recent interview with Vickey Lalwani, Dev Anand's longtime secretary Ashok Sinha recalled Suraiya asking to meet Dev Anand at an awards function in Film City.
Dev Anand was initially uncomfortable and said 'It's a trick' when host Ameen Sayani almost announced the former couple would present an award together.
The two met face-to-face backstage in silence; Dev Anand touched Suraiya's cheek and said her name, then convinced her to present the award to Lata Mangeshkar before leaving quietly.
Dev Anand married co-star Kalpana Kartik in 1954 and had two children, Suneil Anand and Devina.
- Who
- Bollywood actor Dev Anand and singer-actress Suraiya, former lovers; also Dev Anand's longtime secretary Ashok Sinha, awards host Ameen Sayani, and singer Lata Mangeshkar.
- What
- A face-to-face reunion between Dev Anand and Suraiya at an awards function, years after their breakup.
- When
- During an awards event held years after their split (exact date not given), recalled in a recent interview.
- Where
- An awards function in Film City.
- Why
- Suraiya wanted to meet Dev Anand again; years earlier, their relationship ended because Suraiya's grandmother opposed their inter-faith match.
- Couple
- Dev Anand and Suraiya
- How they met
- Dev Anand saved Suraiya from drowning during the shoot of 'Kinare Kinare Chale Jayen Ge' for the film Vidya
- Reason for split
- Suraiya's grandmother opposed the inter-faith match and reportedly foiled their elopement plans
- Recalled by
- Ashok Sinha, Dev Anand's longtime secretary and aide, in an interview with Vickey Lalwani
- Meeting place
- Awards function at Film City
- Awards host
- Ameen Sayani
- Award presented to
- Lata Mangeshkar
- Dev Anand's marriage
- Married Kalpana Kartik in 1954; children Suneil Anand and Devina