Guru Dutt – The Man Ahead Of His Times

Guru Dutt

Vasanth Kumar Shivshankar Padukone better known as Guru Dutt was one of the greatest icons of Hindi cinema. Considered to be the man ahead of his times, he made classics like Pyasa, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Sahib,Bibi aur Ghulam, Chaudhavin Ka Chaand. He made less than 50 films in his lifetime, which was enveloped by tragedy and overshadowed his career. He received basic training of performing arts under the Dance Maestro Uday Shankar. He made his acting debut in the movie Baaz (1953) which was also directed by him, though he entered the industry as a choreographer.

 
Guru Dutt left a rich legacy, including CID, Mr & Mrs 55,Aar Paar and Baazi.The celebrated filmmaker and actor died painfully young, at the age of 39, from an overdose of alcohol and sleeping pills. His death in 1964 came shortly after the success of Sahib Bibi aur Ghulam and Chaudhvin Ka Chand and in the middle of the production of Baharein Phir Bhi Aayengi.
He was an intelligent and very talented personality whose works were artistically superb. As a technician he utilized the sophisticated technologies available at that time effectively for perfection. Some lenses and filters which were used in Hollywood was introduced in his films for the first time in India.
Guru Dutt’s style of film making was very contemporary. His movies dealt with a wide range of subjects such as love, poverty, unemployment, equality & social values. He was a great director but also an artist who excelled in action, production, writing & even choreography!
Guru Dutt’s personal life is as compelling. A tough childhood, difficult marriage & an abrupt ending – a story which can inspire a classic. Even today, there are numerous anecdotes, stories, trivia & rumours surrounding his life & death.Sensitive, Poetic, Magical. These and more words have described the genius of Guru Dutt, easily one of Indian cinema’s greatest filmmakers. Guru Dutt, the genius filmmaker has changed the face of Indian cinema with his innovations.