Javed Akhtar Admits He Skipped Watching Films of Certain Superstars for THIS Reason

Javed Akhtar showed his usual wit during a panel discussion in Mumbai, ahead of the premiere of the restored version of Pyaasa. He shared his insights on Guru Dutt’s films. The 1957 film, widely regarded as the late filmmaker’s masterpiece and a significant work in Indian cinema, prompted Javed Akhtar to reminisce about his initial encounters with Guru Dutt’s cinematic creations, and he humorously offered some remarks in his signature style.

The panel discussion kick-started the centenary celebrations honouring Guru Dutt, with the restoration and re-release of some of his most iconic films in theatres this weekend. The event, organized by Ultra Media and Entertainment Group, the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), and the National Film Archive of India (NFAI), featured Javed Akhtar with filmmakers Hansal Mehta, R Balki, and Sudhir Mishra, as well as film critic and author Bhawanaa Sommaya.

Having revealed his dream as a teenager to collaborate with Guru Dutt, Javed Akhtar expressed that he was hugely influenced by Guru Dutt’s body of work. He said, “Let me be a little immodest here, I was highly impressed by Guru Dutt in my college days. Even when I was 17 or 18 years old, I used to refuse to see films of certain superstars because I believed they were bad actors. It means I had some choice. Guru Dutt had a deep impression on me as a teenager.”

Guru Dutt is known for his iconic films, including Pyaasa, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Aar Paar, and Jaal, to name a few. As a pioneer of noir and visual storytelling in Indian cinema, the filmmaker’s life was tragically cut short in 1964 at the age of 39. Reflecting on his rich legacy, Javed Akhtar said, “There were other directors who could give good performances, shoot at the right locations, create the right ambience in the film, and make well-written films, but talking through visuals is something that was taught to us by Guru Dutt.”

As part of a retrospective of his filmography, six of Guru Dutt’s most acclaimed films, including Pyaasa (1957), Aar Paar (1954), Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960), Mr & Mrs 55 (1955), Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962), and Baaz (1953), will be screened throughout India from August 8 to 14. These films have been restored by the NFDC and the NFAI, as part of the National Film Heritage Mission, in collaboration with Ultra Media and Entertainment Group, which has the rights to these movies.

Also Read: Shabana Azmi, Zoya Akhtar and Farhan Akhtar are all smiles at Javed Akhtar’s birthday celebrations