Kat and I were made to sit by the river and asked to kiss. Chuffed at the prospect of becoming 'stars' we agreed.Р”Р„ week later Dev was back. So, will you two do it for me?' That's how he popped the question just before boarding the taxi for the station. Kat Allinson, a dear friend who's father happened to be deputy High Commissioner in Delhi, kept him in splits with her insouciant humour. We lunched at the Copper Kettle on King's Parade, visited the Union, punted on the Cam - where he nearly fell into the river - and strolled along the backs. Dev was fascinated by the university town. He was on a recee for Des Pardes and looking for an Indian boy and an English girl who he would film canoodling by the banks of the Cam as a sort of leitmotif for the film.

'Oh dear, I've cost you three hours of sleep!'Р”Вev had come to Cambridge with a specific purpose in mind. What time do you normally get up,' Dev innocently asked, as he saw me hunting for a clean shirt and digging my jeans out from under the bed.

I offered coffee and croissants while I hurriedly dressed. But my unpreparedness got our relationship off to a rollicking start. I knew who Dev was but I was untouched by his fame and unfamiliar with most of his films. An acquaintance in London telephoned to ask if I would show the actor around and, more out of curiosity than enthusiasm, I agreed. Karan Thappar stated 'I was 21 when I first met Dev Anand.

Des pardes movie song