Javed Akhtar, a name synonymous with Bollywood’s most thoughtful stories, recently shared a little-known secret. He always wanted to be an assistant to the iconic director Guru Dutt. It turns out this long-held dream was sadly cut short by a twist of fate.
Akhtar revealed this wish at Guru Dutt’s centenary celebration in Mumbai. The event honored the legendary director. It also featured a special session dedicated to Dutt’s legacy. Akhtar was a key speaker. He spoke about his unfulfilled desire to work alongside Dutt.
A Dream Interrupted
Akhtar shared the details of his youthful ambition. He planned to finish college and then join the film industry. His goal was to spend a few years working with Guru Dutt. After that, he hoped to become a director himself. “When we are 18 years old, many things seem easy,” Akhtar explained. So, he made this firm decision.
But life had other plans. Akhtar arrived in Bombay, now Mumbai, on October 4, 1964. Just six days later, on October 10, Guru Dutt passed away. “I never even got to see him,” Akhtar said. His dream of working with the master vanished in an instant.
He had even imagined a way in. Poet Sahir Ludhianvi was a good friend of Guru Dutt. Sahir had written songs for Dutt’s film ‘Pyaasa’. Akhtar thought this connection would open doors for him. He believed he could assist Dutt for some time. Sadly, this plan never came to be.
Guru Dutt’s Lasting Influence
Akhtar first felt Guru Dutt’s impact in his college days. He was only 17 or 18 years old. Back then, Akhtar would refuse to watch films starring certain “superstars.” He felt they were not good actors. This left him with very few movie options.
That’s when Guru Dutt truly left his mark. Akhtar deeply admired him. He spoke of other great directors like Mehboob Khan and Bimal Roy. But he highlighted Dutt as unique. “Guru Dutt was the first person to speak through scenes,” Akhtar noted.
He further added that many directors were good at getting performances. They could shoot in the right places and create the right mood. They could even make well-written films. But, “Guru Dutt taught us to communicate through scenes,” Akhtar stated.
A Gathering of Tributes
The centenary celebration was a star-studded affair. Besides Javed Akhtar, other notable filmmakers attended. These included Sudhir Mishra, Hansal Mehta, and R. Balki. Film critic and writer Bhavana Somaya was also there.
Everyone remembered Guru Dutt with great respect. They spoke at length about his directing and acting genius. The event concluded with a special screening of ‘Pyaasa’. Guru Dutt’s family members were present for this screening. His granddaughters, Gauri and Karuna Dutt, attended. Johnny Walker’s son, Nasir, was also there. Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha and actor Akshay Oberoi also joined the audience.