Indian PM turns 75 with a theatrical flourish

INDIA: India’s studious Prime Minister Manmohan Singh flirted with Bollywood film glamour on Wednesday to celebrate his 75th birthday.

Singh took to the stage to launch the autobiography of India’s legendary romantic actor and director Dev Anand, “Romancing with life.”

It proved a rare play of contrasts as the shy and reluctant politician exchanged glowing tributes with the worldly hero of countless Hindi song-and-dance hits.

“He’s never done this before, and may never again,” Singh’s spokesman Sanjaya Baru told AFP. “He’s a very private person.”

The prime minister, flanked by ruling Congress party president Sonia Gandhi, read from a prepared speech as befits an Oxford and Cambridge-trained economist.

“I’m not a regular movie-goer,” Singh admitted in his trademark deadpan delivery.

“But I do know one fact — wherever you go in the world the Indian film industry has made itself felt.

“The sun never sets on Indian films,” he said, lauding Dev Anand as the quintessential debonair star.

Resplendent in a green velvet jacket and matching trousers over a bright yellow shirt, Dev Anand gave an extempore performance punctuated with laughter and applause from the selected audience at the prime minister’s official residence.

He brandished the book for all to see. “I assure you it’s not for self-publicity,” quipped the actor.

It was his birthday too — an astonishing 84 years old and still fit, sharp-minded and working.

“He’s amazing,” said foreign ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna. “He still remembers everything.”

Despite the stark contrasts in their lives, Singh and Dev share humble beginnings in the trauma of the break-up of the subcontinent in 1947.

Both their families fled the new state of Pakistan for India and rose from anonymity.

Singh, who has been in power since mid-2004 and had prostate surgery two weeks ago, was not holding any other celebration to mark his birthday on Wednesday, his spokesman added.

New Delhi, Friday, AFP