Original choice Dilip Kumar-saab had deep regrets for 'declining' Guru Dutt's offer to play the lead in masterpiece Pyaasa," revealed iconic writer Javed Akhtar at Guru Dutt’s Centenary celebrations! Nationwide theatrical release of legend's 4K Restored Classics from August 8 to 14 co-presented by by Ultra Media! by Chaitanya Padukone

Original choice Dilip Kumar-saab had deep regrets for 'declining' Guru Dutt's offer to play the lead in the masterpiece Pyaasa," revealed iconic writer Javed Akhtar at Guru Dutt’s Centenary celebrations! Nationwide theatrical release of legend's 4K Restored Classics from August 8 to 14, co-presented by Ultra Media! by Chaitanya Padukone

"Yeh duniya agar mil bhi jaaye, toh kya hai ", sings a 'resurrected' actor Guru Dutt who comes-back-to-life-on-screen in his directed masterpiece musical movie 'Pyaasa' (1957). During this song, Guru Dutt stands with his famous symbolic Jesus Christ-like pose with both arms spread across the-wide open-entrance of the auditorium, which is the iconic silhouette-shadow shot with bright 'back-lighting'! It's a divine coincidence that his 'six' select movies are being restored (or rather 'resurrected' ?) in 4K versions for being screened and re-discovered as part of the phenomenal film-maker's Centenary Celebrations!

During this current month (August 2025), the (Gen Z) younger generation of movie lovers and older generation of retro-movie fans will get a rare chance to witness the magic of the greatest cinematic legend director-actor Guru Dutt, on the big screens.  As part of the ( 100 years) of the centenary celebrations of Guru Dutt, Ultra Media & in association with NFDC-NFAI, has proudly presents a nationwide theatrical retrospective of his most iconic films, meticulously restored and reintroduced for today’s audiences. From August 8th to 14th, over 250 cinemas across India will screen the newly restored 4K versions of Guru Dutt’s wide variety of brilliant movie-masterpieces, including Pyaasa, Aar Paar, Chaudhvin Ka Chand, Saheb Biwi aur Ghulam, Mr. & Mrs. 55, and Baaz, according to the Ultra Media sources

This curated glory-of-genius Guru Dutt filmotsav event cordially invites cine-philes, film students, and new-age viewers to experience the poetic depth, visual brilliance, and timeless storytelling of actor-director Guru Dutt in 4K clarity. Sushilkumar Agrawal, CEO, Ultra Media who holds the rights to all these films, said, "Guru Dutt’s films are timeless masterpieces that have influenced generations of filmmakers and audiences alike. This initiative is not just a tribute to Guru Dutt’s legacy, but also a significant cultural movement to bridge generations through cinema. We are honoured to present his classics in restored versions so that both devoted fans and new audiences can relive the magic on the big screen." says Mr Agrawal..

It may be noted here, that legendary Guru Dutt's actual name is Vasanth Kumar Padukone and he was a Konkani-speaking phenomenal talent hailing from Karnataka. Guru Dutt's younger producer-brother Devi Dutt (of 'Masoom' fame) expressed his heart-felt delightful appreciation and conveyed his blessings and best wishes for the entire Guru Dutt movies restoring the classics movies and organizing the grand Guru Dutt Filmotsav  

A special exclusive premiere screening of 'Pyaasa' was held at the PVR Juhu on August 6th, eminent lyrcist-writer Javed Akhtar, Hansal Mehta, R Balki, Sudhir Mishra, and eminent senior film journalist and RJ Bhawana Somaya got together for inspiring conversations on Guru Dutt's cinematic craft.
The premium MumbaiJuhu-PVR multiplex studded with Guru Dutt movies posters, banners and cut-outs resonated with various S D Burman composed melodies including Hum Aapki Aankhon Me and Aaj Sajan Mohe Ang Lagalo in Mohd Rafi-saab's and Geeta Dutt soulful voices.

"After my graduation," recalled Javed Akhtar, "I thought I would go to the film industry and assist Guru Dutt-saab for a couple of years and then I will become a director. When you are 18, things appear simpler and easier. It is unfortunate that I came to Bombay in 1964 on October 4 and he passed away on October 10, so I could never get to see Guru Dutt.. but I was close to his several of his creative associates including famous poet-lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi. What I have observed that innovative experimental Guru Dutt always spoke effectively thru his vibrant visuals ( shot by genius cameraman V K Murthy-saab)  and he never relied on exotic foreign locations or costumes to convey his impactful dialogues or lyrics. As far as 'Pyaasa' is concerned Ihave to share that the original choice was Dilip Kumar-saab and he had deep regrets for 'declining' Guru Dutt's offer to play the lead as the character of poet-writer Vijay  in that movie," disclosed Javed-saab

Veteran director Sudhir Mishra said Guru Dutt had a profound influence on him as a film-maker and revealed that he watched the 1962 film Saheb Bibi Aur Ghulam at least six times as a teenager along with his grandmother. Reacted Sudhir, "There is nothing in my life that I have done that is not influenced by Guru Dutt I haven't measured up to to him, but I'm still trying to. Every film that I've done, every shot that I've taken, every scene I've written, and song that I've tried to picturise, I can't imagine it without Guru Dutt." said Sudhir Mishra in an honest tribute.

Director Hansal Mehta shared. "Incidentally, Guru Dutt's nephew Sanjay Dutt ( Devi Dutt's son) was my closed friend during my academic career. I discovered Guru Dutt's films much later. Pyaasa is the first film I saw and it left a lasting impression on me. His movie has possibly taught me that pitying oneself can be beautiful, and that heartbreak is cinematic," Hansal Mehta noted.

Director R. Balki whose maverick movie Chupp was dedicated to the Guru Dutt), "The more I watch his films, his craft, I look at the vulnerability of the film-maker. Actually, I never felt so happy, feeling sad.!! Guru Dutt inspires me to remember sensitivity, it is important to feel vulnerable and not be understood by all the people, you just go on. Must say I have watched all his films and read bio-books on him and watched bio-pics on him," explained R Balki.

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When popular celeb-actor Nasirr Khan was honored on stage on behalf of his legendary comedian-actor father Johnny Walker, (who was Guru Dutt's favourite lucky mascot actor) he shared a  detailed sentimental flashback anecdote, " It was director Guru Dutt-jee who fiercely argued with writer Abrar Alvi-uncle and insisted that my dad Johnny Walker should be an important part of intense film  'Pyaasa' cast and that he should also be given a special song ( 'Sar Jo Tera Chakraye--Tel Maalish')  as a comic relief.. Thanks to Guru Dutt, my dad met female co-star Noor while shooting for 'Aar Paar' and they both fell in love and that's how I am here," said Nasirr-bhai amidst cheers and applause.

This Centenary Retrospective is curated by the Ultra Media team with respectful tribute to the genius of Guru Dutt's versatile cinematic glory. The movies curated for screening include Guru Dutt's films Aar Paar,(1954-- stylish dark-crime-thriller with romance and suspense ), Mr & Mrs 55, ( 1955-- breezy romantic comedy), Chaudhvin Ka Chand,( Nawabi culture social backdrop story of love and bonding), musical movie  Pyaasa ( 1957-disillusioned poet caught in a opportunistic world and a romantic tug-of-war), Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam ( 1962- enigmatic musical haunting social subject of a neglected beautiful wife of a rich zamindar who gets tipsy and also develops a decent, sensitive bonding with Guru Dutt's docile character 'Bhootnaath' even as he is attracted to Waheeda Rehman's lively character )  will be screened across India between August 8 and 14.

Sushilkumar Agrawal, MD & CEO, Ultra Media and Entertainment Group, said, “Guru Dutt’s films are timeless masterpieces that have influenced generations. This initiative is not only a tribute to his legacy but also a cultural movement to bridge generations through cinema. This is not just a film festival — it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to relive the timeless genius of Guru Dutt on the big screen, the way his cinema was meant to be experienced".

Prakash Magdum, Managing Director, NFDC, added, “Restoring Guru Dutt’s films is about safeguarding a priceless cinematic legacy. Under the National Film Heritage Mission, we ensure these classics continue to resonate with audiences, now and for generations to come.”

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