By Hindustan Times
Guru Dutt’s film career could have been short-lived, but in those 20 odd years he spent within the industry, the veteran actor-director created for himself a legacy that continues to be revered by cinema enthusiasts today. And people intrigued by the grand turn his career took in any such brief span now have a possibility to look at his life unravel on stage in a brand new theatrical production called Ten Years With Guru Dutt: Abrar Alvi’s Journey, which premieres within the city tomorrow.
The play is predicated on a book called Ten Years With Guru Dutt: Abrar Alvi’s Journey by Sathya Saran, which was released in 1998. AN IN DEPTH friend of Dutt, Abrar was the scriptwriter of the actor’s iconic films like Pyaasa (1957) and Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959).
Saattvic, who has directed and acted within the production, reveals, “The intent is to teach the prevailing generation about this great artiste’s contribution to Indian cinema. Since Sathyaji was a family friend, I'VE got this chance to bring Guruji’s charisma back to life on stage.”
Following a non-linear narrative approach, the 90-minute play starts with the enactment of Dutt’s life within the ’50s and ’60s. It touches upon landmark moments just like the launch of Waheeda Rehman and the dramatic entry of Meena Kumari into the solid of Saheb, Biwi Aur Ghulam (1962). The tale then moves ahead to the ’70s ( Guru Dutt passed on to the great beyond in 1964) and lines an old Abrar recounting stories in regards to the artiste to a journalist.
“The play isn't entirely according to the book. We’ve manipulated the tale slightly to make it relevant to our time,” says Saattvic. “I needed to keep all of the characters’ looks in mind and that i was very cautious concerning the way the actors enacted the parts.”
The play can be staged on November 20 at Prithvi Theatre, Juhu at 9 pm and on November 21 at 6 pm.
