The granddaughters of legendary filmmaker Guru Dutt, Karuna and Gouri, offer a unique glimpse into their lives, shaped by their grandfather’s enduring cinematic legacy as his birth centenary approaches.
A Grand Legacy Lives On
Step inside the Mumbai home of iconic filmmaker Guru Dutt’s family, and you’re immediately surrounded by his artistic spirit. Pyaasa posters adorn the walls, alongside cherished black-and-white family photographs featuring Dutt, his singer-wife Geeta Dutt, and their children. These aren’t just decorations; they are a constant celebration of his brilliance.
For his granddaughters, Karuna and Gouri, Guru Dutt’s presence is particularly strong this year, leading up to his birth centenary on July 9. It’s a time to reflect on his extraordinary life and career.
Growing Up with a Legend
Though Guru Dutt was a constant presence, the sisters truly understood the scale of his legacy during their college days in Pune. Their father, the late Arun Dutt, often shared stories about his parents during evening power cuts, introducing them to their grandfather’s world.
Iffat, their mother, notes their contrasting personalities: Karuna is sociable like her grandmother Geeta Dutt, while Gouri is more introverted, much like her father and grandfather. These early family stories and insights laid the foundation for their connection to the cinematic giant.
A Cinematic Education
Revisiting Guru Dutt’s films as teenagers allowed Karuna and Gouri to appreciate his artistry objectively. Karuna found Pyaasa deeply moving but feels Mr & Mrs 55 is an underrated gem, still relevant and entertaining today. Gouri, on the other hand, names Kaagaz Ke Phool as her personal favorite.
The sisters later moved to Mumbai, embarking on their own careers in the film industry. This move brought them closer to the very world their grandfather helped shape.
Family Traditions and Future Dreams
For the birth centenary, the family plans a private celebration. They follow a heartfelt tradition started by Arun: cooking and offering favorite dishes of deceased family members, like simple Mangalorean dal chawal and aloo saung, to birds.
While growing up, people often assumed Karuna and Gouri would join the film industry. Karuna initially found this annoying, but by 18, she felt drawn to it. Though her father was initially hesitant, he eventually supported her, even teaching her filmmaking himself.
Arun Dutt had also run the Guru Dutt Films Acting Academy in Pune and directed “Khule-Aam,” the last film under Guru Dutt Films Private Limited.
Forging Their Own Path
Karuna entered the film industry as an assistant director on “That Girl in Yellow Boots” in 2010. She has since worked on notable projects like “Ugly,” “Masaan,” “Trapped,” and “Jubilee.”
Gouri started her journey as a volunteer at Prithvi Theatre, working on productions and adapting Albert Camus’s novella “The Outsider” into a play. Her film credits include “Ram Singh Charlie,” “Victoria & Abdul,” “Girls will be Girls,” and “Tanaav,” where she served as first AD.
Both sisters aspire to make their own movies and have already begun writing and pitching ideas. They are determined to tell stories guided by their unique interests and experiences, hoping their grandfather’s pursuit of perfection will inspire their own craft and storytelling.
