Archive · 10 Jan 2026
Dev Anand's Resilience After Film Flop
Dev Anand was a famous actor and director in Hindi cinema.
He made a film called 'Ishk Ishk Ishk' in 1974, which he was very excited about.
He even sold his house and his wife's jewellery to make this film.
When the film was shown to the public, people started leaving the theatre after just 15 minutes.
This was a big disappointment for Dev Anand.
But he didn't give up.
After hearing the bad news, he went into the bathroom for just 5 minutes and came back with a new idea for a film.
His nephew, Shekhar Kapur, who was there, was very impressed by Dev Anand's ability to bounce back from failure.
Dev Anand believed that making films should be a passionate and fearless journey, even if it means taking big risks.
Dev Anand directed and starred in 'Ishk Ishk Ishk' (1974), investing his own money and selling personal assets to fund it.
The film's premiere initially seemed promising, but audiences started leaving theatres after just 15 minutes.
Dev Anand received the bad news at the Oberoi Hotel, where he was celebrating with his team.
After hearing the news, Dev Anand went into the bathroom for 5 minutes and returned with a new film idea.
His nephew, Shekhar Kapur, admired Dev Anand's resilience and fearless approach to filmmaking.
- Who
- Dev Anand, a celebrated Hindi cinema star and director
- What
- The failure of his film 'Ishk Ishk Ishk' and his immediate response to it
- When
- The film was released in 1974, and the premiere was in the mid-1970s
- Where
- The premiere took place at a theatre, and the aftermath was discussed at the Oberoi Hotel
- Why
- Dev Anand had a deep emotional and financial investment in the film, which did not perform well
- Film
- Ishk Ishk Ishk (1974)
- Director
- Dev Anand
- Key Cast
- Shabana Azmi, Zeenat Aman, Zarina Wahab, Jeevan, Kabir Bedi
- Music
- RD Burman
- Investment
- Sold house and wife's jewellery
- Premiere Reaction
- Audiences walked out after 15 minutes
- Dev Anand's Response
- Returned with a new film idea in 5 minutes