Deven Verma is one of the most famous character actors from yesteryear Bollywood. He has been a constant presence in the mainstream Hindi cinema of the 70’s and 80’s. Deven Verma has made his name in Bollywood working with legends like Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Gulzar, Yash Chopra and actors like Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan and Rajesh Khanna. He has proved his mettle as character actor, a comedian and has acted as various characters in the supporting roles during his longterm in the Bollywood career which itself is a rare feat. Deven Verma has also been a part of some classics of Hindi cinema like Andaaz Apna Apna, Kabhi Kabhie, Angoor , Judaai and many more.
Deven Verma was born in Gujarat and later had his upbringing in Pune. He graduated with honours in Politics and Sociology from Nowrosjee Wadia College of Arts and Science. After going on to be a part of many plays as part of a drama group, he specialized in one act show mostly mimicking film artists of the time. This led to one of his performance being spotted by producer B. R Chopra which led to his film debut in Yash Chopra’s Dharamputra in 1961 in a supporting role.
Deven Verma was married to Rupa Ganguly, the daughter of legendary Hindi actor Ashok Kumar and sister of actress Preeti Ganguly. Deven Verma died on 2nd December 2014 in Pune due to a heart attack.
Film debut and rise to prominence ( 1969-1972) Deven Verma made his Bollywood debut with Yash Chopra’s patriotically drama film Dharamputra starring Shashi Kapoor and Mala Sinha in the lead. He got noted in the supporting part and landed in his next outing after a year’s break in Sunil Dutt’s comic drama Aaj Aur Kal which saw him playing one among the four children of a stubborn King who carry disregard for each other in a comedy of errors backdrop. After two more appearances in movies Qawwali Ki Raat and Suhagan in the year 1994, he was seen among the main lead in Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s drama flick Anupama along with Dharmendra and Sharmila Tagore in the lead. The movie saw him coming up with a worthwhile part which got due recognition with the critical success of the movie. He also appeared in Guru Dutt’s last home production Baharen Phir Bhi Ayengi, Dharmendra’s tragic drama film Devar saw him playing a person who conspires against his cousin to win the love of their mutual sweetheart through a wicked plot. The movie too saw him surfacing with a solid part opposite Dharmendra and also build on his repute of being a bankable and versatile supporting actor in Hindi mainstream cinema at that point of time. Ensuing film releases ( 1966-1972) Verma’s other releases of the year 1966 were Dharmendra’s Mohabbat Zindagi hai, Milan and Tamanna which catapulted his image by few notches making him a much sought after character actor of the time. The year 1970 saw him appearing in movies like Dharmendra’s Khamoshi which saw him playing aprominent part as a psychiatric patient and Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Buddha Mil Gaya. Gulzar was next to cast him in an supporting character in his social drama film Mere Apne sharing screen space with Vinod Khanna in the lead. His career had a steady upward shift with him being part of many more important outings like Dhund, 36 Ghante, Imtihaan, Phir Kab Milogi, AaJa Sanam. However he had a major break in the year 1975 with the Ashok Kumar starrer comedy flick Chori Mera Kaam and his role named “Parveen Chandra Shah” is one of his most remembered on screen avatars and won him the Filmfare Award for Best Comedian that year. Major back to back releases ( 1975-1985) Verma continued donning supporting roles in several mainstream films of the period like Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka, Arjun Pandit and Ek Se Bhadkar Ek. Verma won the Filmfare Awards for Best Comedian for Ashok Kumar starrer Chor Ke Ghar Chor and Jeetendra’s drama flick Judaai in 1978 and 1980 respectively. Angoor too fetched him the Filmfare Best Comedian Award in 1982 and was highly noted for Verma’s breathtakingly fresh conception of quirkiness and fun playing twin characters in the fun riot. His other releases of the timein addition were: Kabhi Kabhie Aadmi Sadak Ka ( Bilingual in Marathi and Hindi) Dildaar Doosra Aadmi Khatta Meetha Mukti Anpadh Besharam ( directorial) Dillagi Amar Deep Lok Parlok Aap Ke Deewane Rang Birangi Jhoothi Prem Pratigyaa Post 1990 films Dil Deewana Ek Hi Raasta Andaaz Apna Apna Hulchul Ishq Calcutta Mail.
| # | Released Date | Type | Credited As | Movie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 05 Sep 2003 | Film | Supporting Actor | Calcutta Mail |
| 2 | 30 Aug 2002 | Film | Supporting Actor | Sabse Badhkar Hum |
| 3 | 07 Jun 2002 | Film | Supporting Actor | Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai |
| 4 | 19 May 2000 | Film | Supporting Actor | Kya Kehna |
| 5 | 22 Oct 1999 | Film | Supporting Actor | Heeralal Pannalal |
| 6 | 24 Apr 1998 | Film | Supporting Actor | Salaakhen |
| 7 | 20 Feb 1998 | Film | Supporting Actor | 2001 : Do Hazaar Ek |
| 8 | 28 Nov 1997 | Film | Supporting Actor | Ishq |
| 9 | 31 Oct 1997 | Film | Supporting Actor | Dil To Pagal Hai |
| 10 | 03 Oct 1997 | Film | Supporting Actor | Udaan |
| 11 | 14 Jun 1996 | Film | Supporting Actor | Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi |
| 12 | 10 May 1996 | Film | Supporting Actor | Tu Chor Main Sipahi |
