It’s Guru Dutt’s birth anniversary today; one of the definitive personalities of Indian cinema. Oddly, Dutt never wished to become an actor. His most famous role in the classic film Pyaasa came to him by accident.
Happy Birthday, Guru Dutt!
Actually, when Pyaasa was being made, Dilip Kumar was to portray the sorrow-stricken post-Nehruvian poet on screen. However, Kumar was already bound to a similar role in Bimal Roy’s Devdas which was in same period of shooting. After the tensions and conflicts that arose with the filmmakers, Kumar refused to take up the role and stepped away.
Since the character was central it was decided that the male lead should be played by Guru Dutt who was known more as a director and producer at that time. It was not a decision that stemmed from loving acting, but a feeling that one has to do it and there’s some rebelliousness in it. However, Dutt’s finest performance of a starving poet in PYAASA made this forgotten hero an unforgettable icon in Indian cinema.
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More about Guru Dutt
Hence apart from being an actor, Guru Dutt is best remembered for his contribution to the world of Indian film. He was a gifted director who produced and directed films. Pyaasa which was released in 1957 is one of the best movies and pure brilliance from the great Dutt.Another masterpiece though a flop at the box office, Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959) is today considered to be another cult film that was appreciated for its brilliant uses of light and shadows.
Some of the other films that can be associated with Guru Dutt are Chaudhvin Ka Chand – A mixture of both commercial success and art, and Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam – is the film which perhaps comes close to fulfilling Guru Dutt’s vision of creating art films. His films are still adored by generations of directors and movie enthusiasts.
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On the occasion of Guru Dutt’s birth anniversary, let us recall a great artiste who was not very keen to act in films. His work continues to be seen today through his classic movies the proof of his brilliance as a filmmaker and a visionary.