Dev Anand's Unexpected Wait at Amitabh Bachchan's Residence
Dev Anand experienced an unusual delay outside Amitabh Bachchan's house during a visit in 2007. The legendary actor arrived unannounced at Bachchan's residence, Jalsa, and found himself waiting at the gate for nearly thirty minutes. Security personnel required permission before allowing him entry, according to recent revelations from his close friend.
The Book Launch That Sparked the Incident
Dev Anand planned to launch his autobiography with great fanfare. He expected prominent guests to attend the event, including Amitabh Bachchan as a special invitee. Amar Singh, a close associate of the Bachchan family at that time, promised to bring Bachchan along with Anil Ambani and Tina Ambani. Singh even volunteered to ensure Bachchan's presence at the book launch.
However, complications arose when politician T Subbarami Reddy announced he would attend with Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh. This created tension because Amar Singh, then associated with Samajwadi Party, had strained relations with the Congress party ruling Maharashtra.
The Disappointing Event and Aftermath
Amitabh Bachchan attended the book launch but left immediately after his stage appearance. He skipped the dinner and did not collect his copy of Dev Anand's autobiography. This abrupt departure left Dev Anand wondering if something had upset his guests.
The next day, Dev Anand decided to personally deliver copies of his book to Jalsa. His friend and associate Mohan Churiwala accompanied him on this visit. They reached Bachchan's residence expecting a warm reception but encountered unexpected delays instead.
The Wait at Jalsa's Gate
Mohan Churiwala described their arrival at Jalsa. He honked the car horn, and a watchman emerged to inquire about their visit. The watchman disappeared inside the house and did not return for fifteen minutes. Churiwala then called Amar Singh, who took another ten minutes to come out.
Dev Anand grew impatient during this extended wait. He questioned why the process was taking so long. When they finally entered, Amar Singh appeared in his nightwear, surprised to see Dev Anand. He had not expected the veteran actor to accompany Churiwala.
Amitabh Bachchan joined them after approximately fifteen more minutes, possibly returning from his health club. The group shared tea together briefly before concluding their visit.
Revelations About Security Protocols
After Dev Anand's passing in 2011, Amar Singh disclosed details about the incident during an interview with Vir Sanghvi. He explained that any guest entering Jalsa required explicit permission from the Bachchan family. Security protocols mandated this approval process, which caused Dev Anand's wait at the gate.
Mohan Churiwala expressed relief that this information emerged posthumously. He believed Dev Anand would have felt deeply hurt if he had learned during his lifetime that someone needed permission to admit him. The incident highlights the strict security measures maintained at the Bachchan residence, even for esteemed colleagues from the film industry.
This episode offers a glimpse into Bollywood's interpersonal dynamics and the formalities observed by one of its most iconic families. It underscores how professional courtesies sometimes intersect with personal protocols in the world of Indian cinema.
