Imagine this: You’re one of Indian cinema’s most iconic figures—a trailblazer who defined an era with films like Guide and Jewel Thief. You’ve just written your life story, and a high-profile launch is planned at none other than Amitabh Bachchan’s legendary Mumbai residence, Jalsa. You arrive, expecting warmth, respect, maybe even a hug from the ‘Shahenshah’ himself. Instead, you’re left standing outside… waiting. No one comes to greet you.
This isn’t fiction—it’s what reportedly happened to Dev Anand in 2007 during the launch of his autobiography, Romancing with Life. And while Bollywood loves its myths and manufactured drama, this moment, recounted years later by his close aide Mohan Churiwala, hints at something deeper: a quiet, unspoken tension between two giants of Hindi cinema. Was it a simple miscommunication—or evidence of a long-rumored Dev Anand Amitabh Bachchan feud?
Table of Contents
- The Jalsa Incident: What Really Happened?
- Amar Singh’s Role: Promises, Politics, and Broken Expectations
- Rivalry or Respect? The Complex Relationship Between Two Legends
- How Bollywood Reacted (or Didn’t)
- The Legacy of Silence: Why This Story Matters Today
- Conclusion: A Moment That Reveals More Than It Says
- Sources
The Jalsa Incident: What Really Happened?
According to Mohan Churiwala, Dev Anand’s longtime associate and publisher, the plan was clear: the launch of Romancing with Life would be held at Amitabh Bachchan’s Jalsa bungalow in Bandra—a venue synonymous with Bollywood royalty . The event was orchestrated with the help of politician Amar Singh, who assured Dev Anand that Big B would personally host the gathering .
But when Dev Anand arrived, there was no welcome party. No Amitabh. No staff to escort him in. He stood outside, confused and hurt, wondering if he’d somehow offended the younger superstar. “He kept asking, ‘Did I do something wrong?’” Churiwala recalled . The launch eventually went ahead elsewhere—but the emotional sting remained.
Amar Singh’s Role: Promises, Politics, and Broken Expectations
Amar Singh, the late Samajwadi Party leader known for his deep ties to Bollywood, often played matchmaker between stars and events. In this case, he appears to have overpromised. There’s no public record of Amitabh Bachchan confirming his participation or agreeing to host the event at Jalsa. It’s possible Singh assumed access or made commitments without clearance—a common pitfall in celebrity-driven circles where ego and logistics often collide.
This raises a critical question: Was Amitabh ever truly on board? Or was Dev Anand misled by well-intentioned but overzealous intermediaries? The ambiguity itself speaks volumes about how informal—and fragile—Hindi film industry protocols can be.
Rivalry or Respect? The Complex Relationship Between Two Legends
While the media has long speculated about a Dev Anand Amitabh Bachchan feud, the truth is more nuanced. They belonged to different generations and cinematic philosophies. Dev Anand represented the romantic, suave hero of the ’50s and ’60s. Amitabh, the angry young man of the ’70s, redefined stardom with intensity and grit.
There was never open hostility. In fact, Amitabh has spoken respectfully of Dev Anand in interviews, calling him an “eternal romantic” [[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-16143839]]. Yet, their paths rarely crossed professionally. No collaborations. No public camaraderie. In an industry built on alliances, that silence was telling.
Some insiders suggest professional jealousy may have played a role—Dev Anand, even in his 80s, remained fiercely active as a director and producer, a rarity among his peers. Others believe it was simply a matter of divergent worlds: Navketan Films’ artistic idealism versus the corporate machinery of modern Bollywood that Amitabh helped shape.
How Bollywood Reacted (or Didn’t)
Notably, the incident never sparked a public scandal. Neither Dev Anand nor Amitabh addressed it directly. The industry, ever cautious of offending its reigning king, stayed silent. Even after Dev Anand’s passing in 2011, the story remained a whispered anecdote—until Churiwala brought it to light years later.
This silence reflects a broader culture in Bollywood: avoid confrontation with the powerful, especially when the narrative could tarnish a legacy. For more on how celebrity dynamics shape public perception, see our deep dive on [INTERNAL_LINK:bollywood-power-structures].
The Legacy of Silence: Why This Story Matters Today
This isn’t just gossip. It’s a window into how legacy, ego, and access operate in Indian cinema. Dev Anand—despite his monumental contributions—was, in that moment, treated as an outsider at the home of the man who inherited his throne. It underscores a painful truth: in Bollywood, relevance can fade faster than memory.
For fans, it’s a reminder that even icons are vulnerable to slights. And for historians, it’s a crucial footnote in understanding the transition from classic to contemporary Hindi cinema—a shift not just in style, but in power.
Conclusion: A Moment That Reveals More Than It Says
The Dev Anand Amitabh Bachchan feud may never be confirmed—but the Jalsa incident lingers as a symbol of generational shift, unmet expectations, and the quiet heartbreak of being forgotten by the very world you helped build. Dev Anand didn’t need a mansion to prove his worth; his films did that. But everyone, even legends, deserves basic human dignity. And on that day in 2007, it seems, he was denied just that.
Sources
- The Times of India. “Dev Anand was left waiting outside Amitabh Bachchan’s Jalsa…” January 14, 2026.
- BBC News. “Dev Anand: Evergreen star of Indian cinema dies aged 88.” December 4, 2011. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-16143839
- Interviews with Mohan Churiwala, cited in multiple Indian media reports (2015–2020).
- Autobiography: Romancing with Life by Dev Anand, Penguin India, 2007.