Guru Dutt

Lived up to 39

Director-actor-producer par excellence, Guru Dutt (aka Vasant Kumar Shivashankar Padukone) was the man behind such classics like Pyaasa,Kaagaz Ke Phool, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam and Chaudhvin ka Chand, and Mr. and Mrs 55. Often compared to the great Orson Welles, Guru Dutt had a tough upbringing marred by financial problems as well as his parents' strained relationship. Sadly Dutt's own marriage with singer Geeta Dutt ran into problems and this along with his link-up with actress Waheeda Rehman caused him tremendous mental strain. His death in 1964 was believed to be a result of a medley of sleeping pills and excessive drinking.

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