Contents
Deven Verma was an Indian actor, director, and producer who is known for his comic roles in many Hindi films such as Chori Mera Kaam, Angoor, Gol Maal, and Chor Ke Ghar Chor. He died of cardiac arrest at the age of 78.
Wiki/Biography
Deven Verma was born on Saturday, 30 October 1937 (age 77 years; at the time of death) in Kutch, Gujrat. He grew up in Pune, where he studied at the Nowrosjee Wadia College for Arts and Science (University of Pune) between 1953 and 1957; he earned an honours degree in politics and sociology from the college. Reportedly, he also pursued law at the Government Law College, Mumbai; however, he left midway.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 2″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Deven Verma belonged to a Rajasthani Hindu family.
Parents & Siblings
Deven Verma’s father, Baldev Singh Verma, belonged to Rajasthan and was in the silver business, while his mother, Sarala Devi, belonged to Kutch, Gujarat. Deven Verma had four sisters, Nirupama, Tushar, Amita, and Parul; two sister were twins.
Wife & Children
Deven Verma was married to Rupa Ganguly who was the daughter of late Bollywood actor Ashok Kumar and elder sister of actress Preeti Ganguly. Deven Verma also worked with Ashok Kumar in a few films, and he used to pay him visits at his home for dinner, where he met his younger daughter Rupa Ganguly.
Deven Verma with his wife, Rupa Ganguly
Rupa and I liked each other and wanted to marry and I asked Ashok Kumar Saab for her hand in marriage. He looked at me and said, “We will think about it.”It took two years for us to finally get married. They would say she is too young, we will decide later, and kept on delaying because Ashok Kumar’s elder daughter Bharati had also married a Gujarati, Dr. Patel.
Deven Verma along with his father-in-law Ashok Kumar and wife Rupa Ganguly
Career
Acting
Film
Deven Verma worked in around 149 movies. He started his acting career with the Bollywood film Dharmputra in 1961; this movie turned out to be a flop. In an interview, Deven Verma talked about his debut film Dharmputra. He said,
After Dharamputra, I went abroad to do stage shows. Dharamputra flopped. I was in Mauritius where Shashi (Kapoor) sent me a letter that said, ‘Picture has flopped and nobody knows the reason why.”
His comic role in Chori Mera Kaam (1975) was a major hit that earned him critical acclaim for his performance. Later, he appeared in many popular films in which he received acclaim for his comic roles, and by the 1970s, he had become an established actor in Bollywood. During this time, he appeared in many popular films including Judaai (1980) and Angoor (1982).
He worked under many famous directors such as Basu Chatterji, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, and Gulzar.
Deven Verma in the movie Angoor
Apart from his performances in Hindi films, he is also known for his performances in Marathi and Bhojpuri films. The last film of Deven Verma was Calcutta Mail (2003) in which he played the role of Reema’s grandfather.
Television
Deven Verma appeared in many popular television shows such as Mama Ji (1992) and Zabaan Sambhalke (1993).
Director & Producer
Deven Verma also directed and produced many films like Nadaan (1971), Bada Kabootar (1973), and Daana Paani (1989). His first Hindi film as a producer was Yakeen (1969). In 1978, he directed the Hindi film Besharam in which Amitabh Bachchan and Sharmila Tagore appeared in lead roles; it was a major hit. In an interview, Deven Verma talked about his busy schedule during the 1970s and 1980s. He said,
I have a record of working in 16 movies at one time. There was a time when I was shooting for Esmayeel Shroff’s Ahista Ahista through the night in Mumbai, then early in the morning I would go to Hyderabad to shoot for Jeetendra’s Pyaasa Sawaan and at four in the evening I would leave Hyderabad for Delhi to shoot for Yash Chopra’s Silsila, then back to Mumbai for Esmayeel Shroff.”
Death
Deven Verma passed away at the age of 78 due to severe cardiac arrest and kidney failure on 2 December 2014.
Awards
Filmfare Awards
- Best Actor in a Comic Role for the film Angoor (1983).
- Best actor in a comic role for the film Chor Ke Ghar Chor (1979).
- Best actor in a comic role for the film Chori Mera Kaam (1976).
Facts/Trivia
- Deven Verma’s real name was Devendu Verma. While he was studying in college, he changed his name from Devendu to Deven.
- It was his performance in the Bollywood film Chori Mera Kaam (1976) that established him as an actor in Indian cinema. In an interview, he talked about this and said,
My career took off in 1975 after Chori Mera Kaam, which gave me my first Filmfare Award. It was a big hit and I was flooded with offers.”
- In an interview, Deven Verma said that he liked the Bollywood film Vicky Donor.
I have never enjoyed a movie so much as I have enjoyed Vicky Donor. It belonged to my genre. I loved it because it is a believable comedy.”