Guru Dutt: A Life in Cinema
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Book Overview
This biography traces the life and works of a remarkable director and actor. During his brief thirteen year career, Guru Dutt replaced the repetitive ingredients of formulaic Hindi cinema with an individual and lyrical vision, playing his screen characters with a sensitivity and compassion that endowed them with a rare depth. Nasreen Munni Kabir traces the life of this unusual man through accounts of his films and a series of interviews with his family, colleagues, and friends.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0195642740
ISBN13:9780195642742
Release Date:May 1998
Publisher:Oxford University Press, USA
Length:152 Pages
Weight:0.50 lbs.
Dimensions:0.4" x 8.4" x 5.5"
Customer Reviews
4 ratings
A Life In Cinema
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
This is a brilliantly written book about remarkable and eccentric character in the Indian films. Guru Dutt was a complex man but a simple soul who was always unhappy with his life. Unlike other filmmakers, Guru Dutt did not copy western filmmakers. You can read this book many times and still not figure out what Guru Dutt wanted in life or what type of person is he. Does any one know what they want in life? Many of his colleagues become emotionally attached to him. That was his legacy.
a very well researched work
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
The author states that she came up with the idea of writing this book while she was working on a documentary on Guru Dutt for Channel 4. Therefore, this book contains rare insights by people who knew Guru Dutt intimately. This is what gives this book its life. And if you haven't watched the 3 part documentary made by the author I strongly recommend it. There you will find Guru Dutt's friend speak about him with emotions, something missing from the book.(January 2000)The 3 part documentary is now available bundled with a special edition of Guru Dutt's Pyaasa released by Yash Raj Films. (Oct. 2002).
Highly recommended for the romantics of Hindi Cinema
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
This book on Guru Dutt and his films is a rare insight into his life and works. This book soulfully touches the different aspects of his life, the shaping factors, love of the people around him ,the deep spiritual quality and poeticism of his films. It is fitting tribute to Guru Dutt. This is a lovable book can be read again and again. People with whom Guru Dutt worked like Kaifi Azmi ,Raj Khosla and others have so many interesting things to say about the person they loved and respected so much. Guru Dutt and Sahir Ludhiyanwi had some differences after and 'Pyaasa'. The author says that their differences existed only at the superficial level. Their souls merged at a much deeper level in their works How true! In fact when Guru sings 'Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaaaye...' it appears that the persona of Guru Dutt, Sahir has merged into one. It is the cry of the eternal poet . I compliment Nasreen Munni Kabeer for this piece of work. Like Guru Dutt's work, this book is meant to be felt deeply not just read from an intellectual perspective.
You may think, 'Who cares about Indian cinema?'...
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
when you read this book you will understand why Indian films, at least those of Guru Dutt, have depth and are capable of moving people. There are few books written about Indian cinema as a whole. This book is different because it relies on first-hand memories of the people who worked with Guru Dutt, people who knew him personally, and people whose lives were transformed by their association with him. This book is worth reading if you're interested in cinema or in India.
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