Remembering Guru Dutt

"yeh duniya jahan aadmi kuch nahi hai,
wafaa kuch nahi hai, dosti kuch nahi hai
ye duniya agar mil bhi jaye to kya hai.."

 
These are not only words of a song from the film 'Pyaasa', in fact it shows the real thirst of an artist for success, which remained alive throughout his life but never fulfilled till his last breath.

Yes, we are talking about legendary filmmaker Guru Dutt, who died at an early age of only 39 years, but is still alive in the history of India Cinema.

It is 48th death anniversary of this iconic filmmaker Guru Dutt, who is often credited with ushering in the golden era of India Cinema. Till his last breath Guru Dutt only faced criticism for his work, which leads to frustration and depression in his life. But after his death his work got recognition all over world and the films which were criticised heavily during release time are now considered as his masterpieces.

10th October 1964, marked as a black day in Indian Film Industry, is the day when maestro director Guru Dutt left this world for ever leaving his fans and family weeping in pain.

It is said that during 1950s and 1960s Guru Dutt's films changed the whole scenario of Indian Film Industry. Whether its Pyaasa, Kagaz ke Phool or Sahib Biwi aur Ghulam..best actor..superb director and a sensible person..this is Guru Dutt.

He was born as Vasanth Kumar Shivashankar Padukone in Bangalore on July 9, 1925. He had his early education in Calcutta and later on had gone under basic training with dance maestro Uday Shankar for 5 years after which he joined Prabhat Studios in Pune. It was here that he got a break as a choreographer with the film Hum Ek Hain (1946), the launch pad of friend and actor Dev Anand. There he worked as an assistant direct till he was given a break as director under Dev Anand's banner Navketan. At the age of 26 years he made his directorial debut film 'Baazi', which was a blockbuster movie. Soon after his successful debut all his directed films started becoming super hits. Film 'Jaal' in 1952, 'Baazi' in 1953, 'Aar-Paar' in 1954, 'Mr & Mrs 55' in 1955 were blockbusters in a row. After so many super hits people started considering him as a Midas director.

During this time Guru Dutt fell in love with singer Geeta Roy, with whom he met during the song recording of a song for film 'Baazi'. The two married in May 1953.

Guru Dutt and Geeta Dutt formed a perfect team. He knew exactly how to use her voice and he used it in ways, so that her inane generosity of spirit spilled over on the soundtrack in stunning romantic declarations. 'Hoon abhi main jawan', 'Jaa jaa jaa bewafa', 'Babu ji dheere chalna' and 'Yeh lo main haari piya' in Aar Paar (1954) were like prolonged outburst of harmonious sensations.
Guru Dutt and Geeta Dutt were supremely talented and both were touching new heights of success with every release.

Having so much success in career and love in personal life, Guru Dutt started his own production company in 1956. For his first film as a producer 'CID' he signed his friend Dev Anand. And also launched a new heroine Waheeda Rehman. 'CID' released and became successful. Its success changed his personal life too, as during its shooting Guru Dutt and Waheeda became close friends. Media highlighted their friendship more then film's success. Soon after 'CID' Guru Dutt signed Waheeda Rehman again for his another film ‘Pyaasa’. Rumors of his affairs with his new leading lady started surfacing, which left Geeta Dutt in shock. In 1957 ‘Pyaasa’ got released and it is said that at this point she got involved in an unsuccessful love affair with the tragedy king Guru Dutt. Finally situations between Guru Dutt and his wife worsened and finally Geeta left him.

This was the time when Guru Dutt’s fall started. Both his personal life and career was going through a bad phase. He was continuously been criticised for the type of films he was making. Not only this, slowly slowly Waheeda Rehman also distanced herself form Guru Dutt and their famous relationship started waning and ended. In his later films, whether its ‘Pyaasa’ or ‘Kaagaz ke Phool’, we can see the intensity and seriousness, which can be said was the result of his bitter experiences in personal life.

‘Pyaasa’ is said to be the master piece of Guru Dutt. It was the film which made him the real ‘GURU’ of the film industry. Not only in India but in France also ‘Pyaasa’ was the super hit.

After Pyaasa’s success Guru Dutt’s next was ‘Kaagaz ke Phool’, which was India’s first cinemascope film too. But this film failed at box office and critics rejected it saying pessimistic and self-indulgent movie. A dejected Guru Dutt never directed a film thereafter. Technically the film is perhaps his best. But he continued to produce films and act in both home and outside productions. ‘Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam’ (1962), a box office flop, is still regarded as one of Guru Dutt's most and artistic films.He also has his influence on his last box office success ‘Chaudhvin Ka Chand’. In 1964 he acted in his last film ‘Saanjh Aur Savera’ opposite Meena Kumari.

Guru Dutt also brought in some major technical revolutions in the grammar of the mainstream Hindi filmmaking, like, integrating film's songs into story and make story move forward through song itself. He used the effect of light and shade to create poetry and romance. His legacy is unmistakable and accepted by many leading directors of the day.

Guru Dutt and their understanding of the cinematic artist of course were great, but in our country at an early age the young man's tragic death was the cause of his fame, not his unbeatable talent. On October 10, 1964 he took an overdose of sleeping pills and committed suicide though doubts still linger as if his death was accidental.