In the day and age of instant communication, where content and public memory is short, swift and fleeting, acknowledgement of icons and celebrating their centenary is always a special moment. A centenary celebration is not just rewinding into the past, it is a memory jog spanning over hundred years to revisit the rich legacy of icons, who were not just individuals but craftsmen of innovation and excellence. The birth centenary of Guru Dutt, one of India’s most brilliant film personalities, falls on 9 July.

It is an occasion to dive deep into his style, expression, perception and creativity spanning several decades. Guru Dutt was much ahead of his times; his centenary reminds us of his genius and his contribution to Hindi cinema. The Guru Dutt era reminds us of our classic and cinematic roots. His perspective on cinema has given us a meaningful relationship to bridge generations through art, creativity and simple storytelling. His era reiterated the transformative power of cinema, giving audiences an unprecedented experience of emotion, artistry and living reality.

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As a creative artist, Guru Dutt’s career ended tragically at a relatively young age, and the cinema world lost one of its most expressive film makers, whose work explored human sentiments in an “uncharacteristic style”. Guru Dutt gave the “black and white era of celluloid” new themes and cinematic techniques that redefined the art of film-making. The beauty of Guru Dutt’s movies was his method of engagement with audiences, who........

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