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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
GURU DUTT @ 100: Granddaughters recall their grandfather's legacy
THE presence of legendary filmmaker Guru Dutt is apparent at the Mumbai home where his daughter-in-law Iffat, the wife of his son, late Arun Dutt, and his granddaughters, Karuna and Gouri, reside. The poster of Pyaasa (1957) hangs in the living room while another wall is adorned with black-and-white family photos featuring Dutt, his singer-wife Geeta Dutt and their children. These images are not mere reminders of the cinematic legacy that the sisters have inherited, they are a celebration of the brilliance of their grandfather and the life he led. 'Though our grandfather, Guru Dutt, has always been a big presence in our lives, this year we are experiencing it more since his birth centenary is coming up on July 9,' says Gouri. While growing up in Pune, they realised the significance of his legacy during their college days; Karuna studied at Fergusson College and Gouri at Nowrosjee Wadia College. 'When we were kids, we were introduced to our grandfather's work by our father. In Pune, we used to have frequent power cuts in the evenings and Dad used to talk about his parents as we waited for the electricity to be restored,' recalls Gouri. Iffat points out that Karuna is more social like her grandmother Geeta Dutt while Gouri is introverted like her father and grandfather. Getting reintroduced to his movies as teenagers had its advantages. 'We were able to look at his work objectively and understand his craft. The film that hit me the most was Pyaasa. But it is Mr & Mrs 55 (1955) that I believe has not got its due appreciation. Even today, it is relevant and entertaining,' says Karuna, while Gouri cites Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959) as her favourite. The family moved to Mumbai a few years ago when the sisters started working as film professionals. ALSO READ | Inside Raveena Tandon's Rs 70 crore sea-facing home Neelaya designed as per Vastu Shastra with Nandi and Ganesha statues. See here For the birth centenary, the family has not made any special plans yet. 'We celebrate such family occasions privately. However, we follow the tradition of cooking and feeding the favourite dishes of the deceased family member to birds. This tradition was started by Arun. So, on July 9 we will make simple Mangalorean dishes that Papa loved such as dal chawal and aloo saung (a spicy dish of potatoes and onions),' says Iffat. When they were younger, people assumed that Karuna and Gouri would join the film industry. 'When someone mentioned that, I found it annoying. However, when I was around 18, I wanted to become a film professional. My father, however, was not keen. That was strange because while growing up we were encouraged to explore theatre, singing and dance,' recalls Karuna. She struck a deal with her father that she can pursue a career in films if she is interested in it even after her graduation. When Karuna stuck to her decision, Arun started teaching her filmmaking. Incidentally, from 2010 to 2013, Arun ran Guru Dutt Films Acting Academy in Pune. But he had to close it later due to ill health. He also produced and directed the last film under Guru Dutt Films Private Limited, titled Khule-Aam (1992). ALSO READ | Filmistan Studios, founded by Kajol and Rani Mukerji's grandfather, sold for Rs 183 crore to real estate company Karuna entered the film industry as assistant director no 13 on the sets of That Girl in Yellow Boots (2010) and went on to be associated with several projects such as Ugly (2013), Masaan (2015), Trapped (2016) and Jubilee (2013). Gouri became a volunteer at Prithvi Theatre in 2010. 'I worked on the theatre productions of Manav Kaul and Rangbaaz group. I adapted Albert Camus's novella The Outsider as a play. The first film I worked on was Nitin Kakkar's Ram Singh Charlie (2020),' says Gauri, who was part of Victoria & Abdul (2017), Girls will be Girls (2024) and Tanaav (2024). She was first AD on the last two projects. The Dutt sisters aspire to make their own movies eventually. 'We already have started the process of writing and pitching,' says Karuna. They are clear that their stories and choices will be guided by their interests and the life they have experienced. The influence of Guru Dutt, they expect, will nudge them to achieve perfection in their craft and storytelling.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Filmistan Studios, founded by Kajol and Rani Mukerji's grandfather, sold for Rs 183 crore to real estate company
Filmistan Studios, which was one of the earliest studios in Mumbai, became the base for film shoots in the city back in the 1940s, and for decades, it stood tall holding a large part of Indian cinema's history. Now, the studio and the property it stands on, has been acquired by real estate developers Arkade Developers for a whopping sum of Rs 183 crore. The deal for the transaction was officially registered on July 3. Filmistan was founded by Kajol and Rani Mukerji's grandfather Sasadhar Mukherjee along with his brother-in-law, late actor, Ashok Kumar in 1943. Gyan Mukherjee and Rai Bahadur Chunilal were also the founders of the studio. The studio came into being after 1943 when Ashok Kumar left Bombay Talkies, another prolific studio in the city. Back in the day, studios were not just seen as places that provide their services for shoot, but as production companies that made films within the studio. For years, actors were employed by these studios on a salary system. Known for its sound stages, outdoor sets, and accessibility to filmmakers, Filmistan served as a filming location for numerous Bollywood movies, television serials and commercial shoots for decades. However, in recent years, it saw a gradual decline as other technologically advanced studios started emerging in the city. ALSO READ | Inside Raveena Tandon's Rs 70 crore sea-facing home Neelaya designed as per Vastu Shastra with Nandi and Ganesha statues. See here According to Hindustan Times, Arkade Developers Limited plans to launch a project with luxury apartments having a gross development value of Rs 3000 crore. The project is reportedly scheduled for a tentative launch in 2026. The project will reportedly include 3, 4, and 5 BHK residences along with exclusive penthouses, across two high-rise towers of 50 floors each. Amit Jain, the Chairman and Managing Director of Arkade Developers took to his LinkedIn profile to confirm the news. He wrote, 'Thrilled to share that Arkade Developers has successfully acquired the iconic 4-acre Filmistan Pvt. Ltd. land parcel on SV Road, Goregaon West, for a total consideration of Rs 183 crore.' He added, 'This strategic acquisition paves the way for an ultra-luxury residential project on one of Mumbai's most storied addresses — popularly known as 'Filmistan Studios'.' Jain told Hindustan Times, 'Filmistan Studios holds immense emotional and legacy significance for Mumbai, and we are privileged to be entrusted with shaping its next chapter. This development will go beyond being a premium address, and it will offer a thoughtfully curated lifestyle experience for a discerning few. At Arkade Developers, we are not just creating homes; we are crafting a legacy that reflects the dynamic aspirations of our ever-evolving city.'
