Guru Dutt (9 July 1925 – 10 October 1964) was an Indian film director, actor and producer whose lyrical, melancholic films are counted among the greatest ever made in India. His masterpieces Pyaasa (1957) and Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959) were not always successful in his lifetime but are now celebrated worldwide. He died at just 39.
Quick Facts
| Birth name | Vasanth Kumar Shivashankar Padukone |
| Born | 9 July 1925, Bangalore (now Bengaluru), India |
| Died | 10 October 1964, Bombay (aged 39) |
| Profession | Director, actor, producer, choreographer |
| Directorial debut | Baazi (1951) |
| Spouse | Geeta Dutt (singer; m. 1953) |
| Masterpieces | Pyaasa, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam |
Early Life
Guru Dutt was born in Bangalore into a Konkani family and spent much of his childhood in Calcutta, where he absorbed Bengali culture. He trained in dance at Uday Shankar’s academy in Almora. He then joined the Prabhat Film Company in Pune as a choreographer and assistant director, where he befriended the actor Dev Anand.
Career
Dev Anand gave Guru Dutt his first chance to direct with the crime film Baazi (1951), a hit. He followed it with the stylish Aar Paar (1954) and the comedy Mr. & Mrs. ’55, starring himself and Madhubala.
Pyaasa (1957), the story of a struggling poet in a materialistic world, is considered one of the greatest Indian films. Time magazine named it among the 100 greatest films of all time. Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), India’s first film in CinemaScope, told the story of a fallen film director. It failed commercially, and Dutt never officially directed again, though it is now a cult classic.
Dutt produced and starred in the hit Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960) and in Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962), which won the National Film Award for Best Hindi Film. He discovered and championed talents such as Waheeda Rehman, the comedian Johnny Walker and cinematographer V. K. Murthy.
Personal Life and Death
Guru Dutt married the playback singer Geeta Roy (Geeta Dutt) in 1953, and they had three children. He struggled with depression in his final years. He was found dead at his Bombay home on 10 October 1964 after consuming alcohol and sleeping pills.
Selected Filmography
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Guru Dutt born?
Guru Dutt was born on 9 July 1925 in Bangalore (now Bengaluru), India.
When did Guru Dutt die?
Died: 10 October 1964, Bombay (aged 39).
