Guru Dutt

Guru Dutt - Producer, Timeline and Life

Violet FieldHome › IndianGuru DuttJuly 9, 1925322 views

0 based on 0 rates
Guru Dutt Biography Stories 

Guru Dutt's Personal Details

Guru Dutt was a renowned Indian filmmaker, most remembered for his cult classics such as ‘Pyaasa’ and ‘Kaagaz Ke Phool’

InformationDetail
BirthdayJuly 9, 1925
Died onOctober 10, 1964
NationalityIndian
FamousChoreographers, Film & Theater Personalities, Actors, Directors, T V & Movie Producers, Producer
SpousesGeeta Dutt, Suvarna, Vijaya
SiblingsAtma Ram, Devi Dutt, Lalita Lajmi, Shashidhar, Vijay
Known asVasanth Kumar Shivashankar Padukone
ChildrensArun Dutt, Nina Dutt, Tarun Dutt
Founder / Co-Founder
  • Guru Dutt Movies Pvt. Ltd.
Cause of death
  • Drug Overdose
Birth PlaceBangalore
ReligionHinduism
GenderMale
FatherShivashanker Rao Padukone
MotherVasanthi Padukone
Sun SignCancer
Born inBangalore
Famous asActor, Producer, Director, Choreographer
Died at Age39

// Famous Producer

Michael Schur

Michael Schur

Michael Schur is an American television actor, producer, and writer. Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.

Ashton Kutcher

Ashton Kutcher

Ashton Kutcher is an American actor, model and a producer. This biography profiles his childhood, life, acting career, achievements and timeline.

Chad McQueen

Chad McQueen

Chad McQueen is an American actor, film producer, race car driver and martial artist Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.

Guru Dutt's photo

Who is Guru Dutt?

Vasanth Kumar Shivashankar Padukone, famously known as Guru Dutt, was a renowned Indian filmmaker, most remembered for his cult classics such as ‘Pyaasa’ and ‘Kaagaz Ke Phool’. He was one of the greatest icons of commercial Indian cinema of all time and his movies were some of the best ever made. His style of film making was very contemporary, sometimes ahead of his generation which is evident from the fact that he first used close-up shots with 100mm lens camera in his films which later became famous as 'Guru Dutt Shots' in the Indian cinema. Ironically his films earned recognition and interest much later in the 1970s and the 1980s and have received a cult following in the recent past. His movies dealt with a wide range of subjects such as love, poverty, unemployment, equality and social values. In addition to being a great director, he was also a phenomenal artist who excelled in action, production, writing and even choreography. He had a difficult marriage and that probably led to his untimely death at the age of just 39. Despite all his struggles, his imaginative use of light and shade, and a striking ability to weave multiple thematic layers into his narratives, he is considered as one of the greatest filmmakers of Indian cinema.

// Famous Directors

Kevin Costner

Kevin Costner

Kevin Costner is an American actor, director and singer who is best known for his portrayal of rugged individuals with complex emotions. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline

Michel Qissi

Michel Qissi

Michel Qissi is a Moroccan-Belgian actor known for his role in the martial arts flick ‘Kickboxer.’ Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.

Susan Sontag

Susan Sontag

Susan Sontag is an American critical essayist, cultural analyst, novelist, political activist, filmmaker and playwright of international repute. Read on to find out more about her childhood, career, profile and timeline.

Childhood & Early Life

He was born on July 9, 1925 in Bangalore, India, to Shivashanker Rao Padukone and his wife, Vasanthi Padukone. He had three younger brothers, Atmaram, Devidas and Vijay and a younger sister, Lalitha.

His father used to work as a headmaster and later became a bank employee. His mother was a homemaker who gave private tuition and also wrote short stories. He spent his early childhood in Bhowanipore area of Calcutta where Bengali culture and intellect became a part of his personality.

Career

He started his career as a telephone operator at a Lever Brothers factory in Kolkata. But soon he left the job and returned to his parents in Mumbai in 1944.

Later he was hired as a choreographer to work under a three-year contract with ‘Prabhat Film Company’ in Pune. He later went on to become an actor in the company and also served as an assistant director.

In 1944, he acted in a small role as Sri Krishna in the movie ‘Chand’. The next year he worked as an actor and an assistant director in the movie ‘Lakhrani’. In 1946, he served as an assistant director and choreographed dances for the film ‘Hum Ek Hain’.

In 1947, the contract with the film company ended and he was given the job of a freelance assistant with Baburao Pai, the CEO of the Prabhat Film Company and Studio. But soon he was rendered unemployed and wrote short stories for ‘The Illustrated Weekly of India’, a local weekly English magazine.

The turning point in his life came, when Dev Anand asked him to direct the movie ‘Baazi’ under Dev Anand’s production company. The film released in 1951 and became an instant hit.

He went on to direct two more films, ‘Jaal’ (1952) and ‘Baaz’ (1953), but none of them proved to be successful at the box office. In 1954, he directed, produced as well as acted in the movie ‘Aar Paar’ which was an immediate success.

Later, he directed several other movies such as ‘Mr. and Mrs. 55’ (1955), ‘Sailaab’ (1956) and ‘Pyaasa’ (1957). He was also the leading actor in ‘Mr. and Mrs.55’ and ‘Pyaasa’, both of which received commercial as well as critical appreciation.

In 1959, he made his most ambitious project ‘Kaagaz Ke Phool’ but it proved to be a bitter disappointment at the box office and he lost over 1.7 million producing the film.

Later, he acted in a couple of movies under his production: ‘Chaudhvin Ka Chand’ (1960) and ‘Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam’ (1962). Both the movies proved to be commercially and critically very successful.

He also acted in some movies outside his production such as ‘12 O' Clock’ (1958), ‘Bharosa’ (1963), ‘Bahurani’ (1963),‘Suhagan’ (1964), and his last project ‘Sanjh Aur Savera’ (1964).

Major Works

In 1957, he produced, directed as well as acted in the movie ‘Pyaasa’ which was an immediate success and is considered one of his most celebrated works. It is the story of a poet, rejected by an uncaring world, who achieves success only after his apparent death.

In 1959, another one of his classics ‘Kaagaz Ke Phool’ was released. It was a self-absorbed tale of a famous director who falls in love with an actress. The film was a box office disaster in its time but later became a world cinema cult classic in the 1980s.

Awards & Achievements

In 2002, Sight & Sound critics' and directors' poll ranked him at #73 in its list of all-time greatest directors, making him the eighth highest-ranking Asian filmmaker in the poll.

In 2010, he was included among CNN's "top 25 Asian actors of all time".

Personal Life & Legacy

In 1953, he married Geeta Dutt, a professional playback singer, despite strong family opposition. They were blessed with three children: Tarun, Arun, and Nina. But the couple had an unhappy married life and later separated because of his workaholic nature and partly because of his relationship with actress Waheeda Rehman.

He had attempted suicide a couple of times before his death but was rescued by friends. He died on October 10, 1964 from an over consumption of alcohol and sleeping pills. It is still a mystery whether his death was a suicide or an accidental overdose.

// Famous Choreographers

Sean Lew

Sean Lew

Sean Lew is an American choreographer and dancer. Let’s have a look at his family & personal life including age, net worth, girlfriends, and fun facts.

Galina Ulanova

Galina Ulanova

Galina Ulánova was a Russian ballerina who gained acclaim as one of the greatest ballet dancers of the 20th century. This biography profiles her childhood, family, personal life, achievements, etc.

Brandon Arreaga

Brandon Arreaga

Brandon Arreaga is a singer, dancer, choreographer, and social media personality. Check out this biography to know about his family, personal life, including his age, birthday, etc.

Guru Dutt biography timelines

  • // 9th Jul 1925
    He was born on July 9, 1925 in Bangalore, India, to Shivashanker Rao Padukone and his wife, Vasanthi Padukone. He had three younger brothers, Atmaram, Devidas and Vijay and a younger sister, Lalitha.
  • // 1944
    He started his career as a telephone operator at a Lever Brothers factory in Kolkata. But soon he left the job and returned to his parents in Mumbai in 1944.
  • // 1944 To 1946
    In 1944, he acted in a small role as Sri Krishna in the movie ‘Chand’. The next year he worked as an actor and an assistant director in the movie ‘Lakhrani’. In 1946, he served as an assistant director and choreographed dances for the film ‘Hum Ek Hain’.
  • // 1947
    In 1947, the contract with the film company ended and he was given the job of a freelance assistant with Baburao Pai, the CEO of the Prabhat Film Company and Studio. But soon he was rendered unemployed and wrote short stories for ‘The Illustrated Weekly of India’, a local weekly English magazine.
  • // 1951
    The turning point in his life came, when Dev Anand asked him to direct the movie ‘Baazi’ under Dev Anand’s production company. The film released in 1951 and became an instant hit.
  • // 1952 To 1954
    He went on to direct two more films, ‘Jaal’ (1952) and ‘Baaz’ (1953), but none of them proved to be successful at the box office. In 1954, he directed, produced as well as acted in the movie ‘Aar Paar’ which was an immediate success.
  • // 1953
    In 1953, he married Geeta Dutt, a professional playback singer, despite strong family opposition. They were blessed with three children: Tarun, Arun, and Nina. But the couple had an unhappy married life and later separated because of his workaholic nature and partly because of his relationship with actress Waheeda Rehman.
  • // 1955 To 1957
    Later, he directed several other movies such as ‘Mr. and Mrs. 55’ (1955), ‘Sailaab’ (1956) and ‘Pyaasa’ (1957). He was also the leading actor in ‘Mr. and Mrs.55’ and ‘Pyaasa’, both of which received commercial as well as critical appreciation.
  • // 1957
    In 1957, he produced, directed as well as acted in the movie ‘Pyaasa’ which was an immediate success and is considered one of his most celebrated works. It is the story of a poet, rejected by an uncaring world, who achieves success only after his apparent death.
  • // 1958 To 1964
    He also acted in some movies outside his production such as ‘12 O' Clock’ (1958), ‘Bharosa’ (1963), ‘Bahurani’ (1963),‘Suhagan’ (1964), and his last project ‘Sanjh Aur Savera’ (1964).
  • // 1959
    In 1959, he made his most ambitious project ‘Kaagaz Ke Phool’ but it proved to be a bitter disappointment at the box office and he lost over 1.7 million producing the film.
  • // 1959
    In 1959, another one of his classics ‘Kaagaz Ke Phool’ was released. It was a self-absorbed tale of a famous director who falls in love with an actress. The film was a box office disaster in its time but later became a world cinema cult classic in the 1980s.
  • // 1960 To 1962
    Later, he acted in a couple of movies under his production: ‘Chaudhvin Ka Chand’ (1960) and ‘Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam’ (1962). Both the movies proved to be commercially and critically very successful.
  • // 10th Oct 1964
    He had attempted suicide a couple of times before his death but was rescued by friends. He died on October 10, 1964 from an over consumption of alcohol and sleeping pills. It is still a mystery whether his death was a suicide or an accidental overdose.
  • // 2002
    In 2002, Sight & Sound critics' and directors' poll ranked him at #73 in its list of all-time greatest directors, making him the eighth highest-ranking Asian filmmaker in the poll.
  • // 2010
    In 2010, he was included among CNN's "top 25 Asian actors of all time".

// Famous T V & Movie Producers

Steven Spielberg

Steven Spielberg

Steven Spielberg is a famous Hollywood director renowned for his movies such as ‘E.T.’, ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘War of the Worlds’. To know more about his childhood, career, profile and timeline read on

Salma Hayek

Salma Hayek

Salma Hayek is a Mexican-American actress born of Spanish-Lebanese parents. Read this biography to learn about her profile, childhood, life and timeline.

Michael Schur

Michael Schur

Michael Schur is an American television actor, producer, and writer. Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.

Jack Black

Jack Black

Jack Black is a renowned American actor-producer and voice artist. Explore this biography to learn more about his profile, childhood, career and timeline

Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt is a famous American actor, known for his movies, ‘Ocean’s Eleven’, ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’, and ‘World War Z’. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, profile, career and timeline

Adam Sandler

Adam Sandler

Adam Sandler is an American actor and comedian known for his roles in films like ‘Punch-Drunk Love’ and ‘The Wedding Singer’. This biography of Adam Sandler provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

Guru Dutt's FAQ

  • What is Guru Dutt birthday?

    Guru Dutt was born at 1925-07-09

  • When was Guru Dutt died?

    Guru Dutt was died at 1964-10-10

  • Where was Guru Dutt died?

    Guru Dutt was died in Mumbai

  • Which age was Guru Dutt died?

    Guru Dutt was died at age 39

  • Where is Guru Dutt's birth place?

    Guru Dutt was born in Bangalore

  • What is Guru Dutt nationalities?

    Guru Dutt's nationalities is Indian

  • Who is Guru Dutt spouses?

    Guru Dutt's spouses is Geeta Dutt, Suvarna, Vijaya

  • Who is Guru Dutt siblings?

    Guru Dutt's siblings is Atma Ram, Devi Dutt, Lalita Lajmi, Shashidhar, Vijay

  • Who is Guru Dutt childrens?

    Guru Dutt's childrens is Arun Dutt, Nina Dutt, Tarun Dutt

  • Which company or organization was founded by Guru Dutt?

    Guru Dutt was the founder/co-founder of Guru Dutt Movies Pvt. Ltd.

  • What is Guru Dutt's cause of dead?

    Guru Dutt dead because of Drug Overdose

  • What is Guru Dutt's religion?

    Guru Dutt's religion is Hinduism

  • Who is Guru Dutt's father?

    Guru Dutt's father is Shivashanker Rao Padukone

  • Who is Guru Dutt's mother?

    Guru Dutt's mother is Vasanthi Padukone

  • What is Guru Dutt's sun sign?

    Guru Dutt is Cancer

  • How famous is Guru Dutt?

    Guru Dutt is famouse as Actor, Producer, Director, Choreographer