Years after the publication of Dev Anand's autobiography Romancing with Life sparked controversy with its account of his romantic feelings for Zeenat Aman, one of his closest friends, Mohan Churiwala, has reignited the debate. In a recent interview, Mohan questioned the timing of Zeenat Aman's denial, pointing out that she waited until after Dev Anand's passing to publicly refute his claims.
Why Did Zeenat Wait to Respond?
Speaking to journalist Vickey Lalwani, Mohan Churiwala firmly defended the late legendary actor. "Dev Anand did not lie about anyone. He didn't say anything wrong about anyone," Mohan asserted. "I think it is right what he wrote about Zeenat in the book. Zeenat even came for the book's launch in 2007. Dev Anand was alive four years after the book was launched, so why didn't she confront him when he was alive?"
Recalling the Controversial Party Incident
Mohan reiterated his belief in Dev Anand's version of events, specifically recalling an incident described in the autobiography involving a party where tensions surfaced. "Dev sahab has written everything clearly in the book. And from his writing, it is clear that when they went to the party and Zeenat Aman tried to touch Raj Kapoor's feet, she looked back at Dev Anand, feeling awkward about whether what she's doing is right," he recounted.
He further elaborated on the details that Dev Anand found revealing. "Also, the fact that Raj Kapoor told her that she made a promise to him only to wear white clothes. At that point, Dev sahab understood that the rumours are correct."
The Heartbreak That Followed
Mohan explained how Dev Anand's planned evening took an unexpected turn. "Dev sahab's dinner with Zeenat Aman was already fixed at the Taj after the party. Zeenat and Dev Sahab both had decided that they will go, show their faces at the party, and then go to Taj together for dinner," he shared. However, the dynamics shifted when Dev Anand perceived a deep connection between Zeenat and Raj Kapoor.
"When he sensed that Zeenat and Raj Kapoor's interaction were very deep, he felt uncomfortable. He felt bad because he wasn't kept in confidence by Zeenat and he shared a good friendship with Raj Kapoor," Mohan said, highlighting Dev Anand's sense of betrayal.
He added that the actor felt profoundly hurt by the situation. "Dev sahab felt that Zeenat at least should have hinted him about Raj Kapoor. He felt that he was thinking seriously about Zeenat, and she kept everything hidden, and now at the party, when Raj Kapoor came in, accidentally everything was revealed."
Raj Kapoor's Perceived Guilt
Mohan also recalled Dev Anand's observation of Raj Kapoor's behavior that evening. "Dev sahab then excused himself and said I have to go somewhere but Zeenat stopped him, saying that they have dinner planned. Even Raj Kapoor held his hand tightly and refused to let him go. Dev sahab felt that Raj Kapoor must be feeling guilty but he left the party anyway," he narrated.
When directly asked if Dev Anand believed Zeenat Aman and Raj Kapoor were in a relationship, Mohan responded unequivocally, "100 percent."
He clarified this assertion by explaining, "Relationship in the sense that she met Raj Kapoor for Satyam Shivam Sundaram without telling Dev Anand about it. Also, the conversation between Zeenat and Raj Kapoor about her wearing white clothes, so all these things were revealed at the party."
Zeenat Aman's Strong Denial
In contrast to Mohan Churiwala's defense of Dev Anand, Zeenat Aman had previously issued a strong rebuttal to the claims made in the autobiography. In 2023, she addressed the controversy through a detailed Instagram post, expressing her frustration and hurt over the published account.
She wrote, "In 2007, 'Romancing with Life', Dev Saab's autobiography hit the stands. In it he professed that he was in love with me, and insinuated that Raj ji and I had more than a director-actor equation which broke his heart. To be honest, I was livid."
Zeenat Aman elaborated on her emotional response, stating, "I felt humiliated, hurt and disconcerted that Dev saab, my much older mentor, a person I loved and admired platonically, would not only believe such a story devoid of a shred of truth, but would then go on to publish it for the world to read."
She also revealed the personal impact the book had on her life. "For weeks my phone rang incessantly as friends inquired about 'what really happened' and shared excerpts from the book. I never did read it though, and in my anger I consigned the copy I was sent to storage in the basement!"
This reopening of the decades-old controversy by Dev Anand's close friend adds another layer to the ongoing narrative, keeping the discussion alive in Bollywood circles and among fans of the iconic stars involved.
