'JAWAAN BACHCHE UNKI BIOPIC NAHIN KAR SAKTE'

Having starred in his classics such as Pyaasa (1957), Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960) and Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962), veteran actor Waheeda Rehman shares how filmmaker-actor Guru Dutt's work continues to be celebrated for its themes, aesthetics, and visionary direction. On his 100th birth anniversary today, Rehman, says, “When I started working with him, nobody knew he would be making such great classics, not even Guru Dutt himself. I was so fortunate to be a part of his films. People talk about Pyaasa even today. It’s also my favourite film of him.”

- Rishabh Suri

The 87-year-old admits that she was deeply influenced by Dutt, who was not only her mentor, but also played a critical role in shaping her into a star. Remembering him as a “very quiet person”, the actor says, “He was very sensitive to artistes’ problems. Once, I couldn’t scream in a film scene, so he said, ‘I am very surprised that a 17-year-old girl can’t scream’. I said, ‘I can't. I am sorry’. So, he gave me an alternate way.”