Anand, who acted in more than 110 films in a career that spanned six decades, was a legend of Indian cinema and an icon for generations of young people.
With his good looks and stately personal bearing, he became a major star soon after his 1946 silver-screen debut, and was often compared to the American actor Gregory Peck.
News of his death brought an immediate outpouring of grief and remembrance.
In an official statement, indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said: "Dev Anand was a great artist who entertained generations of cinema lovers over five decades. He was an embodiment of long passion for acting and filmmaking. I join millions of his fans in mourning his death."
India's Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said: “With his death, an era has come to an end. For a career spanning more than five decades, Dev Anand gave us films which will stay entrenched in our minds for years on...He was truly a multifaceted performer as an actor, director and producer.”
Amitabh Bachchan wrote on Twitter that Anand's death "leaves a void never perhaps to be filled again." The novelist Salman Rushdie wrote: "I grew up watching your films. Sorry to say goodbye."
Born on Sept. 26, 1923, as the son of a Punjab lawyer, Anand studied English literature and law, eventually moving in his early 20s to India's film capital of Mumbai, then called Bombay, where he pursued a love of acting.
Known for his good looks, melodious voice and success in romantic leads, Anand was considered a superstar within just a few years of his 1946 screen debut in the Hindi-language film “Hum Ek Hain.”
Anand made his directorial debut in 1971 with the popular hippie cult film “Hare Rama Hare Krishna.” He released his latest film, “Chargesheet,” just a few months ago and was working on another script at the time of his death.
He was given several prizes during his career, including lifetime achievement awards by Filmfare in 1993 and Screen Videocon in 1996. His 2007 memoirs, titled “Romancing With Life,” underlined his belief in making films that were socially relevant.
Also known for social work, Anand dabbled in politics in the 1970s, launching a short-lived political party and leading other film stars in opposing then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's “Emergency” regime, which gave her the power to rule by decree.
Anand's family plans to cremate his body in London on Tuesday or Wednesday.
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