Born Vasanth Kumar Shivashankar Padukone in Padukone, Karnataka, on July 9, 1925, Guru Dutt was an Indian film actor, director, producer, choreographer, and writer. Celebrated as one of the most powerful directors in Indian film, Dutt is well-known for his creative use of close-up shots, lighting, and moving portrayal of melancholy. Particularly Pyaasa (1957), Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960), and Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962), his films have won praise from all around and a devoted cult following. 2012 saw him ranked among CNN’s “Top 25 Asian Actors.”
Early Development and Context
Dutt was from a Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin household. Headmaster and banker Shivashanker Rao Padukone was his father; his mother Vasanthi worked as a writer and teacher. Early in life, Dutt lived in Bhowanipore, Kolkata, where he picked up Bengali fluency. He had three younger brothers, Atma Ram, Devi, and Vijay as well as one younger sister, eminent painter Lalita Lajmi. His second cousin Shyam Benegal is also a renowned filmmaker and screenwriter; his niece Kalpana Lajmi was a well-known movie producer.
Early Service
Dutt started attending Almora’s School of Dancing and Choreography under Uday Shankar in 1942. He departed in 1944, nevertheless, and briefly worked as a phone operator in Kolkata before growing disillusioned and quitting the job. His uncle helped him land a three-year contract with Prabhat Film Company in Pune, where he ran across lifelong pals Rehman and Dev Anand. Beginning his career in Vishram Bedekar’s Lakhrani (1945), Dutt served as an assistant director and choreographer for P. L. Santoshi’s Hum Ek Hain (1946), also marking Dev Anand’s acting debut.
Dutt came to Bombay after his contract with Prabhat expired in 1947, working with directors Amiya Chakravarty and Gyan Mukherjee. Honoring a commitment kept during their Prabhat days, Dev Anand engaged Dutt to oversee Baazi (1951), hence launching Dutt’s directing career. The movie paid homage to the Hollywood cinema noir movement of the 1940s and became an instant sensation; another hit, Jaal (1952), followed.
Directorial Excellence and Creativity
Blockbusters include Aar Paar (1954), Mr. & Mrs. ’55 (1955), C.I.D. (1956), and Pyaasa (1957) were part of Dutt’s 1950s directed projects. He oversaw Kaagaz Ke Phool, India’s first CinemaScope film, which despite its creative creation failed commercially and resulted in Dutt major financial loss in 1959.
Later Movies and Honors
Directed by M. Sadiq and starring Dutt, Waheeda Rehman, and Rehman, Dutt’s team released Chaudhvin Ka Chand in 1960. Reversing Kaagaz Ke Phool’s losses, the movie was a box office smash. Under Abrar Alvi, his crew produced Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam in 1962, which was praised highly and took home the Filmfare Best Director Award for Alvi. Sanjh Aur Savera (1964) was Dutt’s last movie; his early death left several projects unfinished.
Personal Life and Tragic Death
In 1953 Dutt wed playback vocalist Geeta Roy, and the pair produced three children. Dutt’s romance with actress Waheeda Rehman and his binge drinking and smoking compounded their unhappy marriage. Dutt died in his apartment on October 10, 1964; he most likely overdosed on alcohol and sleeping medications. The events of his death are still unknown; some view it as an accident while others as a suicide.
Traditionally
Dutt’s films are today regarded as classics even if Kaagaz Ke Phool failed commercially. Often ranked among the best films ever made are Pyaasa and Kaagaz Ke Phool. 2004 saw India Post award a postage stamp in his name. His creative methods and expressive narrative still inspire Indian movies, therefore securing his legendary reputation as director.
