Shatrughan Sinha Gets Emotional on 'Indian Idol'
The upcoming episode of the music reality show 'Indian Idol' promises to bring back some incredibly cherished memories from Bollywood's golden era. Esteemed actor Shatrughan Sinha will grace the stage as a special guest, where he shared a deeply moving anecdote from his early days in the film industry. The story revolved around his relationship with the evergreen actor Dev Anand and a pivotal lesson he learned, leaving everyone on set astonished.
Shatrughan Sinha revealed that Dev Anand was not merely a big star but also played the role of a mentor, shaping his career trajectory. Dev Anand imparted a piece of advice that would serve as a lifelong guiding principle throughout his acting journey.
The First Break: 'Prem Pujari'
Shatrughan Sinha disclosed that his cinematic journey began with the blessings of Dev Anand. Dev Anand offered him a small role in his film 'Prem Pujari', which is famously remembered for featuring the iconic song 'Phoolon Ke Rang Se, Dil Ki Kalam Se'. In 'Prem Pujari', Shatrughan Sinha was cast as a Pakistani officer. Despite the brevity of the role, the moment he delivered his first dialogue on set, everyone present applauded his performance enthusiastically.
Dev Anand's Invaluable Advice: 'Never Imitate'
Despite the widespread appreciation for his debut shot, Dev Anand approached Shatrughan Sinha with a piece of advice that became a lifelong lesson. Dev Anand subtly came up to him and, in front of the film's director, told Shatrughan Sinha that it's excellent to be influenced by, learn from, and absorb the energy of a great artist, but one must never imitate. He stressed the importance of maintaining one's own originality, or authentic style, in front of the camera. This profound advice resonated deeply with the young Shatrughan Sinha.
The Magic of Originality and Dev Anand's Reaction
Taking Dev Anand's counsel to heart, Shatrughan Sinha prepared for his next shot, which required him to deliver a long dialogue. This time, instead of mimicking anyone, he performed entirely in his unique style. The moment the shot concluded, an extraordinary scene unfolded on set. Standing at the forefront, the first person to applaud most vigorously was none other than Dev Anand himself. Dev Anand was immensely pleased with Shatrughan Sinha's work that day. Impressed by his authentic performance, Dev Anand immediately offered him another small but impactful role in his next film, 'Gambler'. This moment felt like a dream come true for Shatrughan Sinha and decisively set the course for his budding career.
