Though Vijay Anand has had a career as an actor, screenwriter, editor, and producer, he will primarily be remembered as a director. He made his directorial debut in 1957 superhit
Nau Do Gyarah. The film, where Vijay's brother
Dev Anand played the leading role, was shot in only 40 days. Some of Vijay's other successful movies as a director are
Kala Bazar (1960),
Guide (1965),
Teesri Manzil (1966),
Jewel Thief (1967), (1970),
Tere Mere Sapne (1971),
Ram Balram (1980) and
Rajput (1982). Nearly all of these films were made by
Navketan films, the production company started by the Anand brothers themselves. Notable exceptions were
Teesri Manzil, which was produced by
Nasir Hussain," Ram-Balram" produced by Tony Juneja and "Rajput" produced by
Mushir-Riaz.The period 1957-1970 must be reckoned the High Noon of Vijay Anand's career, as is evident from the films listed above. Vijay's 1965 film
Guide starring Dev Anand and
Waheeda Rehman, which was based on
R. K. Narayan's novel of the same name, marked the acme of Vijay Anand's career. It was not only his biggest blockbuster but also his most critically acclaimed movie, celebrated by the masses, the classes and music-lovers alike. Navketan attempted an international release of an English-language remake of
Guide, but without success. Vijay Anand is known for his stylish song picturization, such as the numbers; "O Haseena Zulfonwali" (
Teesri Manzil), "Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai" (
Guide) and "Honthon Mein Aisi Baat" (
Jewel Thief). He debuted as an actor with the film
Agra Road (1957). As an actor, his most memorable roles were in the films like
Kala Bazar (1960),
Haqeeqat (1964),
Kora Kagaz (1974), (in which he starred opposite
Jaya Bachchan) and
Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978). Songless thriller film
Chor Chor (1974), in which
Leena Chandavarkar was his heroine. He acted in
Ghungroo Ki Awaaz (1981) and
Double Cross (1972) with
Rekha as well as
Chhupa Rustam (1973) and
Tere Mere Sapne with
Dev Anand,
Hema Malini, and
Mumtaz. To the younger generation of the 1990s he is also known for playing detective
Sam in the television series
Tehkikaat (1994). He served a short stint as the chairman of the
Central Board of Film Certification, India's censor board, a position from which he resigned, in 2002, after he ran into ideological differences with the government over the introduction of ratings for adult movies. Goldie, as he was affectionately called, died on 23 February 2004 due to a
heart attack. He was aged 70. ==Filmography==