Guru Dutt, who is often remembered as the “Indian Orson Welles” and directed the films “Pyaasa” (1957) and “Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam” (1960), made a mark in Indian cinema with his unique talent. His career was short but very successful, in which he not only produced and acted in superhit films, but also brought to the screen artists like Johnny Walker and Waheeda Rehman, who later became great actors.
Orson Welles of India
More than 60 years later, his films are still considered essential study material in film institutions around the world. Students, critics and artists appreciate his cinematic ability as well as the deep and rich background of each of his films. However, despite his successful career, Guru Dutt’s personal life saw many ups and downs. His marriage was complicated, his love affairs failed, and his life was filled with instability due to a broken heart.
The Making of Guru Dutt
Guru Dutt was born on July 9, 1925 in Bangalore, India, whose original name was Vasant Kumar Shivshankar Padukone. In his youth, he started working as a telephone operator in Kolkata. But he did not find happiness in this work, and decided to try his luck in the film industry and moved to Mumbai.
In Mumbai he was addressed by his romantic name, “Guru Dutt”, which later became very popular. In Mumbai, he got many opportunities to develop his art in the field of acting and cinematography. He started his film career through small roles in several films. Gradually he started working permanently in the leading film production company, Prabhat Film Company.
baji breakthrough
A major breakthrough in Guru Dutt’s career occurred when leading Indian actor Dev Anand appointed him as the director of his upcoming film Baazi (1951). This film was very successful and Guru Dutt got overnight stardom. After Baazi, Guru Dutt’s success train showed no signs of stopping. He made many hit films one after the other, through which he gained recognition not only as a great film director but also as an excellent actor.
deep social consciousness
He quickly won the hearts of the masses as his films were based on subjects that touched people’s hearts. Issues like poverty, unemployment and caste discrimination were brought to the fore in his films. He depicted the social apathy of that time in a ruthless manner and gave the message of change and equality in the changing India.
Tragic personal life and death
Guru Dutt was married to singer Geeta Roy in 1953. It is believed that their marriage was happy until Waheeda Rehman entered their lives. The 1956 film C.I.D. Guru Dutt needed a new actress, and when he saw the beautiful Waheeda Rehman, he fell in love with her. Gradually, the relationship between the two became deeper. Geeta was not ready to leave Guru Dutt, and Waheeda Rehman made it clear that she did not want to play the role of the “other woman” in this relationship.
Guru Dutt died by suicide
Guru Dutt’s turbulent personal life took a toll on his mental health, resulting in his suicide. As Nasreen Munni Kabir writes in her biography ‘Guru Dutt: A Life in Cinema’, “Dutt’s personal life was full of instability, and he smoked heavily and consumed alcohol.”
In 1963, Guru Dutt’s relationship with Waheeda Rehman ended, and he also separated from Geeta. The sad event was that this famous filmmaker committed suicide on 10 October 1964, when he was only 39 years old. This was his third attempt to end his life. It is believed that he mixed alcohol and neuroleptics, and according to the post-mortem report, his death was likely accidental.