.Meet actor who was the cousin of Shyam Benegal’s cousin, worked as telephone operator at the of 16 and passed away at 39 due to overdose otc sleeping pills. We are talking about none other than Guru Dutt.
He was born as Vasanth Kumar Shivashankar Padukone on July 9, 1925, remains one of the most iconic filmmakers in Indian cinema. He is credited to be pioneer of revolutionary cinematic techniques and portrayal of deep emotions,
At the age of 16, Dutt started his career as a telephone operator in a mill in Calcutta (now Kolkata), earning a modest salary of Rs 30–40 per month. He did tye work to support his family, his early days were marked by struggles and resilience.
His life took a pivotal turn when his uncle secured him a three-year contract with the Prabhat Film Company in Pune. Here, Dutt developed his skills and formed lifelong friendships with actors Rehman and Dev Anand. The latter would play a significant role in Dutt’s directorial debut, cementing his entry into the world of filmmaking.
Dutt made his acting debut in 1945 in Vishram Bedekar’s Lakhrani with a minor role. However, it was his work as a director and producer that carved his niche in Indian cinema. Over his career, he directed eight Hindi films, many of which have achieved cult status.
Guru Dutt’s films reflected his unique vision and deep understanding of human emotions. His works include Pyaasa, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Mr and Mrs 55, Aaron Par and more. He took his last breath at the age of 39 in 1964 due to overdose of sleeping pills.
