Kalpana Kartik (Dev Anand's Wife)
Kalpana Kartik was a Hindi film actress who, at the time of her prime, was in the 1950s. That’s when she won over the hearts of many with what were considered very fine and iconic performances. Also, the wife of the great Dev Anand, she had a very public life. Though at large in the limelight only for a short while, what she did was very successful. After marriage, instead of a professional life in films, she chose otherwise. She is today remembered for her grace, which was very much a part of her, for her beauty that stood the test of time, and for her work that is a part of classic Hindi cinema, which is why she is looked up to by film fans.
Early Life and Education
Kalpana Kartik was born in 1931 as Mona Singha on September 19, in Lahore, which then was a part of British India (now Pakistan). After the Independence and Partition of India, her family moved to Shimla. In Shimla at St. Bede’s College, which was her school, she won the title of “Miss Shimla” in a beauty pageant. Her victory brought out her talent that film maker Chetan Anand saw; he, in turn, introduced her to the film industry, which also gave her the stage name “Kalpana Kartik.
Acting Career
Kalpana Kartik came into the world of Bollywood with Baazi in 1951, which also happened to be her breakthrough role played opposite Dev Anand. The film did very well at the box office and also saw her rise to starlet status as an actress. Also in that period, she appeared in many hit films like Aandhiyan (1952), Humsafar (1953), Taxi Driver (1954), House No. 44 (1955), and Nau Do Gyarah (1957). What also stood out about her was her natural acting talent and graceful screen persona, which audiences adored during the golden age of Hindi cinema.
Marriage to Dev Anand
In 1954, while filming Taxi Driver, Kalpana Kartik and Dev Anand tied the knot during a lunch break, which became the talk of the town in the Bollywood circuit. They were together for over five decades till Dev Anand’s death in 2011. The couple had two kids, a son, Suneil Anand, and a daughter, Devina Anand.
Life After Films
After the release of her last film, which was the “Nau Do Gyarah movie, also in 15, Kalpana left that world of acting out of choice and turned inwards to take care of her family life. She mostly stayed out of public view. Also at this time, she took up a different role and became a part of a film production team, associate producer for various Navketan films like Jewel Thief, Prem Pujari, Heera Panna, and so forth.
Legacy
Despite appearing in what is a small number of movies, Kalpana Kartik still managed to leave her mark on Hindi cinema. Her hits, classic public presence, and long-term association with Dev Anand have made her a memorable figure in Bollywood history. She is a source of inspiration for those who live by the values of simplicity, elegance, and a life spent in private rather than public space, and at the same time, she saw that art did not suffer.
About the Author
