“Baazi” (1951) - Guru Dutt’s directional debut stars his good friend Dev Anand. During the making of this film, Guru Dutt and the already famous playback singer Geeta Roy first met. Another knot was tied with assistant director of photography V.K. Murthy. Cameo appearance by Guru Dutt in the opening sequence

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyoamSouESo

“Jaal” (1952) - A very atmospheric setting in a Goan Christian fisher community. Geeta Bali gets gaslighted by Dev Anand, who, for a change, portrays a cold-as-ice villain in this story of betrayal and forgiveness. Guru Dutt wrote the script, directed and appeared as a fisherman in a song sequence.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOjeDbhbyfw&t=3303s

“Baaz” (1953) - Full anti-colonial girl power here as Geeta Bali’s pirate queen transforms a reluctant prince into a freedom fighter - and a life partner. Guru Dutt’s debut as a leading man. He also directed and co-produced with Geeta Bali’s sister. Hanging out on the sets was one actor’s cousin who had finished his law studies but was more inclined to writing: Abrar Alvi.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7jVTF8sX2g&t=182s

“Aar Paar” (1954) - Urban social plus crime thriller plus love story. Guru Dutt anti-type casted both Shyama and Shakila, Abrar Alvi wrote true-to-life dialogue and Johnny Walker met his future wife Noor on the sets.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypS6d_XhvxE&t=616s

“Mr & Mrs ‘55 (1955) - Tame the shrew and your own ego, and don’t let other people’s rules, ancient or modern, stand in the way of your own happiness! Madhubala’s debut as a comic heroine, Lalita Pawar’s awesome villainess and 100 % irony. Meet a heroine who is allowed to be just a big fool -just like many heroes...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlE4w6PI6yM&t=6325s

“Sailaab” (1956) - An untraceable film,except for the songs and some artwork and stills. Guru Dutt took over because both Geeta Dutt and her composer brother Mukul Roy were involved. He was unhappy with the result and Geeta lost a lot of money.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwJGAi7kmRA

 “C.I.D.” (1956) - Dev Anand stars in this well balanced crime thriller directed by Raj Khosla who himself had a hard time dealing with an exceptionally talented but also quite uncut newcomer to Hindi films: Waheeda Rehman.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJKm0AXIo2w&t=7848s

“Pyaasa” (1957) - If I had to choose just ONE work of art for the rest of my life, here it is. Enough said. Do watch the wonderful, moving, thought-provoking Pyaasa!

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_z5hTBWz2c&t=1716s

“12 O’Clock” (1958) - This entertaining crime thriller is not officially a Guru Dutt film, but in fact it is, as the team also includes regulars such as Geeta Dutt, Abrar Alvi, VK Murthy, Rehman, Johnny Walker, Waheeda Rehman, Uma Devi, OP Nayyar, Majrooh Sultanpuri and some cute inside jokes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otghuC5NuLY&t=171s

“Kaagaz Ke Phool” (1959) - A caustic look at the ups and downs of show biz and the saddest film ever. Two lonely unwanted people meet, support and inspire each other. But in this life, no moment of happiness remains unpunished. Brilliant script by Abrar Alvi. Guru Dutt / Waheeda Rehman chemistry in full bloom - definitely not a paper flower!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f4IhM-Wbeg

“Chaudhvin Ka Chand” (1960) - A beautiful portrayal of Muslim life in pre-independence Lucknow. Light-hearted comedy of errors in the first half, but then the question arises whether you possibly can build your own happiness on the misfortune of someone else who is also close to your heart?

“Sahib Bibi aur Ghulam” (1962) - An unforgettable Gothic tale of the downfall of an era, embodied in the fantastic Meena Kumari. She is supported by colleagues in top form - Guru Dutt, Rehman, Waheeda Rehman - but still this is HER film.

 “Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi” (1964/66) - A female version of the Chaudhvin Ka Chand conflict in a modern setting. A tale of two sisters in which a mercurian Tanuja is the cool breeze while dark clouds gather over the sensible Mala Sinha. Guru Dutt passed away when this film was only half ready so the result is a bit uneven in it’s execution, but Dharmendra, who replaced him in the male lead, did a good job and saved the day. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rBRZC9oOEc&t=67s

 Others (as an actor):

“Sautela Bhai” (1962) - a Saratchandra book adaptation directed by Mahesh Kaul.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uNWcoCE0Fw

“Bharosa” (1963) - family drama opposite young Asha Parekh.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdsJevbdxqA&t=3856s

“Bahurani” (1963) - powerhouse performance by Mala Sinha, and Guru Dutt essaying a role that would get any Western actor an Academy Award.

“Sanjh aur Savera” (1964) - an early Hrishikesh Mukherjee film reuniting Meena Kumari and Guru Dutt. Keep your fingers crossed for a happier ending this time!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jt3IX3pXGFU&t=3792s

“Suhagan” (1964) - Mala Sinha and Guru Dutt again. Romantic lovers have to overcome some obstacles but their married life becomes hell on earth. Released posthumously and sad to watch indeed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUq-mJLiBxk&t=76s

Most important shelved films:

“Gouri” - imagine beautiful Geeta Dutt as a tragic heroine in a Kolkata setting, music by SD Burman and in Cinemascope - but due to personal problems, it was not meant to be. Here’s a rare song recording: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=giwQGhEw-zQ

“Raaz” - an adaptation of Wilkie Collins’ Victorian mystery thriller “The Woman in White” with Waheeda Rehman in a double role. Several reels were shot and now seem lost, as the project was shelved. Raj Khosla however saved the basic idea and transformed it into his 1964 hit film “Who Kaun Thi?”

“Love and God” - K. Asif’s version of Leila and Majnu. Wouldn’t Guru Dutt have been an ideal Majnu opposite Nimmi’s Leila?

“Picnic” - at least we have a lovely song sequence with Sadhana and Guru Dutt:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6wVrjsRDnk

I tried to find video uploads in decent quality with correct aspect ratio and subtitles if possible. Will update this post whenever I find something new or interesting. It has become a very long post but I won’t apologize for that and I hope you’ll find it useful and discover films and info that are new to you.   :)

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