As the centenary of legendary filmmaker Guru Dutt is being celebrated with a special retrospective from August 8 to 10, voices from across generations of Indian cinema are coming forward to share how deeply Dutt's work shaped their artistic journeys. Among them is acclaimed filmmaker Hansal Mehta, who spoke candidly at a press conference held in Mumbai on August 6, just before the premiere screening of Pyaasa.
Hansal Mehta didn’t just discover Guru Dutt through film reels, but through stories told at close quarters. “I grew up knowing about Guru Dutt because my closest friend was his nephew. I used to hear stories about his uncle all the time,” Mehta shared.
“But I discovered his films much later in life. Pyaasa was the first Guru Dutt film I watched—and it left a lasting impression on me. When I became a filmmaker, Pyaasa became like a primer. It taught me things no classroom ever could.”
For Mehta, Guru Dutt’s films unlocked a new way to see emotion—and the beauty in sorrow. “I’ve had more heartbreaks than the number of films I’ve made,” he said , “And each time, it’s been Guru Dutt who reminded me that pitying oneself can actually be beautiful. He made me think of self-sympathy as a virtue—something poetic, something cinematic. He made heartbreak feel meaningful on screen.”
“One day, I hope I can make a film about heartbreak and love—just to pay tribute to the person who has influenced me so deeply.”
Mehta also offered a bold but nuanced critique of Guru Dutt’s acting, putting the spotlight on his filmmaking craftsmanship instead. “Guru Dutt’s films were never about a single, towering performance. In fact, I don't think the principal performances were ever particularly great. Guru Dutt himself, as an actor, was not exceptional—he often appeared quite blank. But that’s what made his cinema special. His films were never dependent on one powerful actor or moment. They were symphonies—where writing, music, cinematography, editing, and rhythm came together in harmony. The cinematic experience was so strong that it overpowered even his own limitations as an actor.”
In the centenary year of Guru Dutt, voices like Hansal Mehta’s reveal that Dutt’s impact isn’t confined to the past—it lives on in the hearts, heartbreaks, and ambitions of modern storytellers.