Contents
Guru Dutt
Creating Pyaasa and Kaagaz Ke Phool, landmark films about aspiration, art and disillusionment.
Pyaasa · Kaagaz Ke Phool
- Born
- 9 July 1925
- Birthplace
- Bengaluru, India
- Died
- 10 October 1964
More people
Guru Dutt
Guru Dutt was an Indian actor, director and producer whose Hindi films combined popular songs with striking visual storytelling. His work often follows outsiders struggling for recognition.
Early life
Childhood
Grew up in Kolkata in a family with strong artistic interests.
Dance training
Studied at Uday Shankar’s school in Almora before entering films.
Career
- 1944
Film apprenticeship
Joined Prabhat Film Company after briefly working as a telephone operator.
- 1951
Directing debut
Made Baazi with Dev Anand.
- 1957–1959
Major films
Directed Pyaasa and Kaagaz Ke Phool.
- 1960s
Acting and producing
Continued working on films including Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam.
Selected work
Pyaasa
An unpublished poet confronts an indifferent society.
Kaagaz Ke Phool
A filmmaker’s career and personal life unravel.
Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam
Produced and starred in Abrar Alvi’s drama.
Beyond work
Family
Married playback singer Geeta Dutt in 1953; they had three children.
Writing
Wrote English short stories during a period without film work.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Biography and contributions ↗Photo: India Post, Government of India. GODL-India · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
