Guru Dutt (born Vasanth Kumar Shivashankar Padukone; 9 July 1925 – 10 October 1964), also known as Gurudatta Padukone, was an Indian film actor, director, producer, choreographer, and writer. He is regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers in the history of Indian cinema, with a body of work that continues to draw critical and popular attention.
Dutt's early films were heavily influenced by Alfred Hitchcock, while his later works drew comparisons with Orson Welles, earning him recognition among cinephiles. He was particularly noted for his artistry, including his use of close-up shots, distinctive lighting, and evocative depictions of melancholia.
As a director, he made a total of eight Hindi films, several of which have developed a cult following internationally. Pyaasa (1957) was featured on Time magazine's 100 Greatest Movies list, and Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959) is also frequently cited among the greatest films in Hindi cinema. In 2012, he was included among CNN's "Top 25 Asian Actors".
Adapted from the English Wikipedia article on Guru Dutt.