Guru Dutt, the iconic Indian filmmaker, would have turned 100 this year.
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His life and legacy continue to captivate audiences and inspire filmmakers decades after his untimely death at the age of 39. Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has expressed his desire to play Guru Dutt in a biopic.
In response to a tweet suggesting he should portray the legendary director, Shah Rukh said, “Absolutely. I should do it. And as you lovingly say, my friend, my face is like a beautiful poem…in black & white.”
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This is not the first time Shah Rukh has shown interest in playing Guru Dutt.
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During the promotions of his film in 2017, he said, “I’d love to essay Guru Dutt Saab’s life.”
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Aamir Khan, another Bollywood superstar, had a unique experience of embodying Guru Dutt during a photoshoot with Katrina Kaif. The shoot recreated the iconic pose of Guru Dutt and Waheeda Rehman for a coffee-table book.
Guru Dutt’s lasting cinematic impact
Karan Johar praised Aamir’s portrayal, saying, “Aamir portrays Guru Dutt so effortlessly. When I saw the image, I thought they were coming up with a film on the life of Guru Dutt, which I think is a brilliant idea!”
In fact, a biopic on Guru Dutt was almost made. Anurag Kashyap had written a script, and the project had the support of Guru Dutt’s family.
Arun Dutt, Guru Dutt’s son, confirmed that Aamir Khan was approached for the role and had requested a script. However, the project was eventually shelved for unknown reasons. Guru Dutt’s films, such as “Chaudhvin Ka Chand” and “Kaagaz Ke Phool,” are celebrated for their poetic storytelling.
The idea of biopics featuring Bollywood’s leading stars keeps the legend of Guru Dutt alive, nourishing the dream that one day his life might be splendidly portrayed on the silver screen. As the world remembers Guru Dutt on his centenary, his contributions continue to be celebrated worldwide. His mastery in depicting the intricacies of the human condition ensures that his films remain relevant, stirring the hearts and minds of audiences as strongly today as they did decades ago.
