Dev Anand talks about his movie Guide and its selection in the Cannes Film Festival

“This is the first time, I will be going to Cannes,” smiles Dev Anand.

His movie – Guide – has been invited by the Cannes Film Festival in the Official Classic Section of World Movies.

Devsaab is naturally excited that his film, made way back in 1964-65, will be screened at the prestigious festival.

“I’ve heard and read and seen people go ga-ga over Cannes. It’s grown over the years, it’s glamourous and after the Oscars, this is the festival known to people,” he says.

He was the producer and the lead actor of Guide, a film known to be ahead of its times.

“It’s a matter of pride to be invited to Cannes, a great moment. I’ll miss my brother Goldie (Vijay Anand) who made this fabulous film. I wish he was alive.”

Ask Devsaab the one stark memory during the making of Guide and he reveals, “People thought it was a film based on adultery, on anti-social thought, and would not be palatable for the Indian audience. They were laughing at me. They said all my money would go down the drain.”

But when the film released in 1965, it was well-received and went on to become the official Indian entry to the Oscars!

“When I’m introduced at Cannes, I’ll be a proud man. But you know what? The one thought that will be on my mind is that I have to now make something even better than Guide.”

It’s this never-give up attitude, that’s prompted him to continue making films. He admits his films past few years haven’t worked at the box office, but that doesn’t deter him.

“Dev Anand is a very optimistic guy. Tamanna hai, josh hai, creativity hai, means hai to kyun nahin,” he says in his typical endearing style.

At 85, his energy levels are higher than that of a youngster. And his secret?

“My work.”

Currently he’s busy with his next film, Chargesheet, a murder mystery, exposing corruption in the police force.

“I’m still growing as a person. That’s why I’m making films. I am still child-like, curious, restless, ambitious. I feel I haven’t achieved anything in life. Everyday is a new day and a new day gives you a new thought,” he says.

The key to success is to keep experimenting, he says.

“Your experimentation can make you go under, but it can also make you a class by yourself. You might suddenly blast the world with what you’ve made. It could be a huge success and then you’ll have the last laugh.”

The Cannes Film Festival is in May, but this month too Devsaab has something very interesting lined up. He will be honored in Scotland.

“They have invited me there for three days to celebrate my book. A decade ago I had shot my film Main Solah Baras Ki in Scotland and that was a wonderful experience,” recounts the evergreen actor, who has a huge NRI fan following all over the world.

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