"He isn't here with us today and i'm unveiling his statue. His name will always be remembered within the film industry forever. He'll be alive within the people's heart," a tearful Waheeda said here in the course of the launch Monday, Dev Anand's first death anniversary.
The statue was unveiled on the Bandra Bandstand Promenade here as a part of UTV Stars' property Walk of the Stars.
Remembered as Bollywood's evergreen hero, Dev Anand died of cardiac arrest last year in London. He was 88.
Waheeda, who made her debut opposite Dev Anand within the 1956 film "C.I.D." and featured with him in a complete of 7 movies, says the actor was modern yet simple at heart.
"One thing I SPOTTED about Dev saheb was that he was modern yet simple at heart. He never had stylish cars, never had an enormous birthday bash and no show offs," she said.
"When I did my first film with him, he was a celeb but he never made me realise (I USED TO BE a newcomer) because he was so cooperative and friendly," added the 76-year-old.
Dev Anand's son Suneil Anand was also present at the occasion, and said: "I'M touched that my legendary farther Dev Anand is being honoured. Thanks a lot."
Dev Anand started his career within the black-and-white era with 1946 film "Hum Ek Hain", and spent 65 years as an actor and filmmaker in Bollywood. He left an indelible mark within the minds of movie buffs with classics like "Baazi", "Paying Guest", "Guide", "Jewel Thief" and "Hare Rama Hare Krishna".
