Someone once said that if a genius had a face, it would look like Guru Dutt, an actor, director, producer, choreographer, and writer. He was a true Renaissance man, who changed the face of filmmaking with his extraordinary talent and exceptional work in films like Pyaasa, Kaghaz Ke Phopol, Chaudhvin Ka Chand, and Sahab Biwi Aur Ghulam.
Early Life, Education and Training
Guru Dutt was born Vasanth Kumar Shivashankar Padukone on July 9, 1925, in Padukone, Karnataka. His father, Shivashankar Rao Padukone, was a headmaster and a banker, while his mother, Vasanthi Padukone, was a teacher and writer. His family moved to Kolkata when he was just a child. He has three brothers. He had one younger sister—Lalita Lajmi, who is an Indian painter—Atma Ram, Devi Dutt, and Vijay Dutt, as well as a sister, Lalita Lajmi, the mother of filmmaker Kalpana Lajmi.
Guru Dutt completed his education in Kolkata. In 1942, went to Uday Shankar’s India Cultural Centre in Almora, where eminent personalities like Sankaran Namboodri (Kathakali), Kandappa Pillai (BBharatanatyam), Ambi Singh (Manipuri), and Ustad Allauddin Khan (music) were teaching.
The centre was a hub for artists and dancers, including Shanti Bardhan, Simkie, Amala, Satyavati, Narendra Sharma, Ruma Guha Thakurta, Prabhat Ganguly, Zohra Sehgal, Uzra Butt, Mohan Sehgal, Sardar Malik, Lakshmi Shankar, Shanta Gandhi, and Pt. Ravi Shankar. During his time at Almora, He trained as a dancer and chreographer, during his time at Almora. Unfortunately, he had to leave the center in 1944 because of his involvment with a fellow dancer. After returning from Almora, he briefly worked as a telephone operator in Calcutta before joining the Prabhat Film Company in Pune, where he worked with Baburao Pai.
Guru Dutt Became a Filmmaker
Dutt’s debut film as an actor was Vishram Bedekar’s Lakharani (1945). He also worked as a choreographer for Hum Ek Hain (1946), which was the debut film of Dev Anand. During the making of the film, Guru Dutt became friends with Dev Anand and Rehman, a friendship that lasted till his death.
During this time, he also met Rehman and Dev Anand. He then worked as Baburao Pai’s assistant for some time. He lost the job when he eloped with an assistant dancer, Vidya. Vidya was already engaged at the time. His brother, Devi Dutt, narrated the incident in an interview with Filmfare. It was the time when he wrote many stories for “The Illustrated Weekly” of India.
He then worked as an assistant to legendary directors like Amiya Chakraborty and Gyan Mukherjee. When Dev Anand established the Navketan banner and offered him his first film as a director. The film was “Baazi (1951),” a crime noir drama starring Dev Anand, Geeta Bali, and Kalpana Kartik. The film has music by S. D. Burman and iconic songs like “Suno Gajar Kya Gaaye,” “Tadbeer Se Bigdi Hui Taqdeer Bana Le,” “Aaj Ki Raat Piya,” and “Sharmaaye Kaahe Ghabraaye Kaahe.” It was during Baazi that he met his future wife, legendary singer Geeta Roy, and fell in love with her.
Guru Dutt – The Genius
From the first film itself, Guru Dutt had his distinctive style of filmmaking. Deeply inspired by noir crime dramas, he adopts the techniques of German Expressionism and French poetic realism. Guru Dutt is also known for his innovative use of cinematography. He famously use the close-up shots and lighting to convey deep emotions and melancholia. His distinctive style set a new benchmark for visual storytelling in Indian cinema.
His next film was Dev Anand’s Geeta Bali starrer “Jaal (1952),” another successful noir drama. This was the first time Guru Dutt worked with a legendary cinematographer and his frequent collaborator, V. K. Murthy, resulting in a more nuanced and authentic noir film. It was also one of the first films to have a lead actor with grey shades. The success of the film established him as a director with a fresh approach and a focus to recognize.
In 1953, he started his production company, Guru Dutt Films Pvt. Ltd. His first film was Baaz (1953), starring himself and Geeta Bali, which bombed at the box office. His next film was “Aar Paar,” written by Abrar Alvi and starring Guru Dutt with Shyama, Shakila, and Johnny Walker. The film went on to be a big critical and commercial success. The film had memorable music by O. P. Nayyar, which has songs like “Mohabbat Kar Lo, Ji Bhar Lo,” “Sun Sun, Sun Sun Zalima,” “Babuji Dheere Chalna,” “Ye Lo Main Haari Piya,” and “Kabhi Aar, Kabhi Paar.”
His next venture was “Mr. and Mrs. ’55 (1955),” starring Madhubala with himself. The film was based on the play “Modern Marriage,” written by Alvi when he was in college. Gurudutt then produced the blockbuster “C.I.D. (1956),” starring Dev Anand, Shakila, Johnny Walker, K. N. Singh, and Waheeda Rehman. It was the first film in which he worked with Waheeda Rehman.
Pyaasa and Kaghaz Ke Phool
The 1957 film “Pyaasa” cemented Guru Dutt’s place in Indian cinema as an auteur. Pyaasa is a film that poignantly captures the angst and despair of a poet, played by Guru Dutt, who was unappreciated in his time. Murthy’s cinematography in the film is a visual symphony that complements the narrative’s emotional depth. The use of lighting to reflect the protagonist’s turmoil and societal darkness is nothing short of poetic. The film’s iconic scenes, such as the silhouette of the protagonist against the bars of a prison cell, are etched in the memory of cinephiles for their profound symbolism and aesthetic beauty. Pyasa is also remembered for its haunting music by S. D. Burman and lyrics by Sahir Ludhiyanvi.
Following the triumph of “Pyaasa,” Dutt released “Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959),” India’s first film shot in CinemaScope. This film, often considered ahead of its time, tells the story of a director’s fall from grace and his unrequited love. “Kaagaz Ke Phool” was revolutionary in utilising the wide canvas of CinemaScope to create a visual language that is unparalleled in Indian cinema. The film’s famous song ‘Waqt Ne Kiya’, featuring Waheeda Rehman under a spotlight amidst a sea of darkness, created poetry on cellulide.
Despite its initial commercial failure, ‘”Kaagaz Ke Phool” has since been hailed as a masterpiece and a cult classic. The film was the last film directed by Gurudutt. Guru Dutt’s exploration of new themes continued with “Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960),” directed by M. Sadiq, a love triangle set against the backdrop of Lucknow’s Muslim culture. The film was a commercial success and is remembered for its soulful music and lyrical storytelling.
Sahib, Biwi Aur Ghulam
The 1962 he produced the classic “Sahib, Bibi Aur Ghulam,” directed by Abrar Alvi. The film is celebrated as one of the finest films of Indian cinema. Its compelling narrative, and powerful performances by Meena Kumari, Guru Dutt, Rehman, and Waheeda Rahman make it a classic. The film delves into the decadence of the zaminda zri system and the plight of women in patriarchal society.
“Sahib, Biwi Aur Ghulam” received immense critical acclaim and went on to win several awards, including the Filmfare Award for Best Film and the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi. It was also India’s submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
“Sahib, Bibi, Aur Ghulam” remains a classic that continues to be studied and admired for its storytelling, performances, and technical excellence. The film serves as a poignant commentary on the impermanence of power and the inevitable passage of time, which spares no one, regardless of their social standing. One of Dutt’s last films, “Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi (1966),” was completed posthumously by Abrar Alvi with Dharmendra as a lead. The film, dealing with themes of love and morality, is often overshadowed by the tragic circumstances of Dutt’s death during its production.
Personal Life
In 1953, Guru Dutt married singer and actress Geeta Roy (Geeta Dut). known for her melodious voice, Geeta, is one of the most successful singers of her time. Their marriage was initially a harmonious blend of two creative individuals. However, their marital bliss was short-lived. The couple faced personal turmoil, exacerbated by Guru Dutt’s intense involvement in his work and his bouts of depression. Geeta and Guru’s involvement with alcohol was also a big problem in their lives.
Apart from these, Guru Dutt’s much-publicised working and personal relationship with Waheeda Rahman also became a source of conflict between them. Despite so much media scrutiny, Guru Dutt and Waheeda both remained tight-lipped about their relationship. Waheeda Rahman always remembers him as a guru, mentor, and great friend who understood her.
According to Guru Dutt’s sister, Lalita Lajmi, Waheeda was “unnecessarily blamed for Guru Dutt’s disturbed marriage.” He considered her his muse, nothing more. He was also not an alcoholic, as dubbed by the media, she adds. The pressures of the film industry and the high expectations set by his own successes led to a strained relationship.
Despite their personal challenges, they had three children—Tarun, Arun, and Nina. Guru Dutt’s role as a father was yet another facet of his life that remained away from the limelight.
Death and Legacy
Guru Dutt’s untimely death on October 10, 1964, left many questions unanswered and added a tragic layer to his already enigmatic persona. His son Arun goes on record and says that his father was suffering from insomnia and always used sleeping pills. On the fateful night of his demise, he was also drunk and accidentally overdosed himself. His demise was officially declared an accidental overdose of sleeping pills, but it has been widely speculated as a suicide, a subject that has been discussed and debated by film historians and enthusiasts alike.
The version of his son looks more credible because Gurudutt was not in any distress at that time and even had an appointment with Raj Kapoor and Mala Sinha the next morning to discuss his ongoing film, “Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi.”
The personal life of Guru Dutt is a reflection of the melancholic undertones that are evident in his films. His quest for perfection, his deep sense of loneliness, and his unfulfilled desires mirrored the characters he so poignantly brought to life on screen. Guru Dutt’s legacy is not just his unparalleled contribution to Indian cinema but also the story of a man who lived for his art, seeking solace in the world he created through his films.
Guru Dutt on IMDB
