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Friday, August 22, 2025
TopicGuru Dutt

Topic: Guru Dutt

Guru Dutt was more than brooding loneliness. His cinema pulsed with wit and satire

Aar Paar is an essential film in Guru Dutt’s legacy—not a footnote, but a standalone masterpiece that showcases his wit, range, and control.

Guru Dutt’s ‘Pyaasa’, ‘Aar-Paar’ in your theatre again. 150 people worked to restore the films

‘We picked films where Guru Dutt either acted or directed. From those, we restored the ones whose prints were in the best condition,’ said Sushilkumar Agrawal, founder of Ultra Media.

Guru Dutt’s female characters were mirrors to a changing India

In Guru Dutt’s films like Pyaasa and Kaagaz Ke Phool, women weren’t side characters — they were the story’s moral centre influencing the journey of the male protagonists.

‘He never spoke about why he wanted to die’—Guru Dutt’s sister broke her silence

During my multiple conversations with Guru Dutt’s sister, Lalita Lajmi, for my 2021 biography of him, there were many moments when she was moved by her memories.

Guru Dutt turned melancholia into art. He was ‘lost in filmmaking, lost to life’

In his book Guru Dutt, Arun Khopkar noted that the actor’s films reflect an inner turmoil that transcended his personal life, elevating his work to something deeply universal.

Waheeda Rehman — the ‘chaudhvin ka chand’ of Indian cinema who never believed in her beauty

Although Waheeda Rehman began her career at 17, she created her own boundaries and made independent decisions. It reflected in the characters she played.

Dilip Kumar as ‘Pyaasa’ hero is what Guru Dutt wanted. But first day of shoot changed it all

In ‘Guru Dutt: An Unfinished Story’, Yasser Usman writes how Guru Dutt ended up playing Pyaasa’s Vijay, even though Dilip Kumar was supposed to portray him.

Chaudhvin Ka Chand, Guru Dutt’s Muslim social that pioneered the bro code in Hindi films

A love triangle at heart, the movie provides a compelling look at Muslim life & male friendship, with exquisite music & cinematography.

Aar Paar, Guru Dutt’s 1954 film that featured authentic, realistic dialogue by Abrar Alvi

Guru Dutt, Shyama, Shakila and Johnny Walker star in this noirish comedy-thriller with great tunes by O.P. Nayyar.

Kaagaz Ke Phool is Guru Dutt’s masterclass in filmmaking and heartbreak

Guru Dutt's classic, tragic film is brought to life by subtle performances and dialogue, gorgeous camerawork and Kaifi Azmi's haunting lyrics.

On Camera

Swraj Paul was the original NRI powerbroker. Helped Indira’s return, shaped India Inc

When he was asked why he was so loud in his criticisms of Indian industry when his purpose could be better served by a shrewder approach, he said, “Because I am a Punjabi, not a Marwari”.

New insolvency frameworks to shorter timelines, how 2025 amendment bill proposes to transform IBC

New bill aims to fix key issues with IBC 2016, including delays & patchy implementation, and protect creditors, with window for genuine promoters to retain control of their companies.

Indian firm joins hands with US manufacturer to locally develop all-terrain vehicles for armed forces

Under joint venture, JSW Sarbloh Motors will indigenise and manufacture TX range ATVs in Chandigarh. The first India-assembled unit is expected by early 2026.

War of IAF, PAF doctrines: As Pakistan obsesses over numbers, India embraces risk, wins

Now that both IAF and PAF have made formal claims of having shot down the other’s aircraft in the 87-hour war in May, we can ask a larger question: do such numbers really matter?