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Lyricist, screenwriter, and veteran voice of Indian cinema, Javed Akhtar, offered a sharp, humorous, and deeply reflective tribute to legendary filmmaker Guru Dutt at a special panel discussion in Mumbai on Wednesday. The event was held in the lead-up to the premiere of the restored version of Pyaasa (1957), which is considered to be Guru Dutt’s magnum opus and a landmark in Indian cinematic history.
The discussion marked the beginning of Guru Dutt’s centenary celebrations. Several of his iconic films, including Pyaasa, Aar Paar, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, Mr & Mrs 55, Baaz, and Chaudhvin Ka Chand, have been restored and will be re-released in theatres across India from August 8 to 14. The restoration work has been undertaken by Ultra Media and Entertainment Group in collaboration with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and the National Film Archive of India (NFAI) under the National Film Heritage Mission.
Joining Javed Akhtar on the panel were popular filmmakers Hansal Mehta, R Balki, and Sudhir Mishra, alongside film critic and author Bhawanaa Somayaa. The panel discussed Guru Dutt’s timeless influence on Indian cinema and storytelling.
During the discussion, Javed Akhtar talked at length about Guru Dutt and his impact on cinema. He shared that he had once aspired to assist the filmmaker whom he encountered during college. Akhtar said, “Let me be a little immodest here. Even when I was 17 or 18, I would refuse to watch films of certain superstars because I thought they were bad actors. That means I had some choice.”
Though he didn’t name anyone, his subtle jab at contemporary or past film icons drew laughter and applause from the audience. Akhtar emphasised that Guru Dutt had a profound influence on his perception of cinema from a young age.
He went on to describe Dutt as a visual poet who redefined the language of Indian film. “There were other directors who could direct great performances and create ambiance, but Guru Dutt taught us how to speak through visuals. That was his real genius,” he said.
Guru Dutt, who passed away at the young age of 39 in 1964, is still remembered today, decades after his demise, for introducing noir aesthetics, lyrical storytelling, and emotionally resonant themes in Hindi cinema. His films continue to inspire generations of upcoming filmmakers, artists and cinephiles.
The restored screenings under the National Film Heritage Mission across India aim not only to honour Guru Dutt’s legacy but also to introduce his genius to a new generation of film lovers.
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