Guru Dutt films on YRF DVDs include a 45 minute detailed BBC documentary on Guru Dutt. Last time I watched it was in mid nineties (VHS).

For each situation there are two ways of saying things. 1) Politically correct 2) Gossip.

Politically correct reporting was that

1) Guru Dutt and Waheeda Rehmaan were just close friends and had professional relationship.

2) Husband Wife Guru Dutt Geeta Dutt had problems.

3) Because of the situations and stresses in his personal life, it was not Guru Dutt's first incidence of Heavy Drinking or attempted suicide.

Gossiop reporting or rumours were that Geeta Dutt refused to grant Guru Dutt a divorce and was very bitter about Guru Dutt Waheeda Rehmaan. Note that in India in those days, getting a divorce was almost impossible. Easier way used to be change of religion to Islam where one was allowed 4 wives (like Dharmender - Hema). If this method was practised, you can imagine all those love triangle movies would never be made.

(BTW, if I recall correctly, even Geeta Dutt died a short while after Guru Dutt's death)

Rana

Hi Ranaji

Did Dharm/Hema convert to Islam to get married?! I didn't know about this!

Geeta Dutt did indeed die shortly after Guru Dutt and the rumour/gossip that I heard was that Guru Dutt proposed to Waheeda Rehman and she rejected him because he was not Muslim.

Anyway - there must have been a spate serious problems for him to sink in to the state of despair that made him commit suicide ... very sad.

Muz.

It could be rumour, gossip or logic??

This issue is active right now due to Dharmender's contesting elections and opposition taking him to court over his family situation.

(BTW, Dharmender is denying it)

http://www.expressindia.com/election/fu ... arry~Hema'

Indore, April 19, 2004:
A local court here on Monday recorded evidence of complainants in a case relating to Bollywood actor and BJP Lok Sabha nominee Dharmendra's second marriage to actress and Rajya Sabha MP Hema Malini.

The court recorded evidence of complainants against the actor, contesting as BJP candidate from Bikaner Parliamentary seat in Rajasthan, "for allegedly marrying Hema Malini by embracing Islam religion".

The next date of hearing has been fixed for April 22.

The evidence was recorded by first class Judicial Magistrate Narendra Jain.

Two Congress leaders, Akthar Beg and K.K. Mishra have filed the case here alleging that Dharmendra "hid information about his second marriage with Hema Malini, while filing his nomination papers".

The complainants also alleged that his second marriage to Hema, who is Rajya Sabha MP, was illegal as per the Hindu marriage act as he had not divorced his first wife and that his "embracing of Islam" could not justify his second marriage.

Another Headline that is not accessible any more is:

Dharam is Dilawar, Hema Malini, Ayesha

in Deccan Chronicle dated April 19, 2004

Amazing then that she married someone called Kamaljeet, who I gather from his name was non-muslim !!!!!

In any case, I used to know someone (who himself committed suicide) that was married into the Padukone(Gurudutt last name) family. He split his first name to sound North Indian/Bengali to fit into the film industry that was dominated by people from these regions. In case people are interested there's a biography of Gurudutt available penned by his mother in Kannada called 'Nanna Maga Gurudutt' (My Son Gurudutt).

And this is again a rumour that was told to me by this relative of Gurudutt's - after one of the spats Geeta had with Gurudutt, in a drunken stupor she said that their only daughter was not from him. This drove him into a depression and he consumed those sleeping pills.

As I said this is unconfirmed but from a family source, so it could be anything.

Yes there were rumours too that Gurudutt had more than a platonic liking for Waheeda, which one does not know if she reciprocated.

But the Padukone family is rather cursed at least the Gurudutt lineage, in that there were so many young deaths. His two other sons, both of them apparently dead now - one committed suicide and the other of heart disease.

In any case, what's important is that he was an awesome filmmaker and its a pity he had to pass away at such a young age. He was the inspiration behind Shyam Benegal becoming a filmmaker (his distant relative as well).

The failure of Kaagaz Ke Phool had to have also contributed. He didn't direct any film after that.

Is there an English translation of his mother's book?

The failure of KAAGAZ KE PHOOL prompted him to not take credit for movies he directed later, chief among them was SAHIB BIBIB AUR GULAM which was credited to Abrar Alvi his friend and long time writer of movies.

Unfortunately there is no translation of the book.

Guru Dutt's brother Atma Ram carried the mantle of Guru Dutt Films for a while. Completed Bahaarein Phir Bhi Aayengi (Dharmender replaced Guru Dutt for lead role). Shikaar (Parde Mein Rehne Do-----) was their next film. I think there was at least one more film after that.

There were some family feuds?? What happened after that, I have no idea??
Is Atma Ram still alive??

Rana

Atmaram died a while ago, at least ten years if I remember right. Actually Gurudutt's sons did carry on with their father's production banner. They even produced a few films. But as I said, both have passed on now. Gurudutt's youngest brother Devi Dutt is still around. He produced MASOOM, was involved in some way during the shooting of GANDHI as well.

It just goes to show how taxing film production can be, both physically and mentally. It really requires nerves of steel to be in this business, for EVERYTHING is fraught with just too much risk !

These days, nerves to steal.

Here u go MUZ ji

Hema aur Dharam ki hai jodi ajeeb
By Our Correspondent ©2004 Bollyvista.com

What lay dormant for twenty odd years has suddenly decided to erupt and how. Everybody knew of the Hema Malini and Dharmendra marriage. It had all the ingredients of a potboiler television saga (films of course were never so adventurous in their scripts). In all the years since the marriage though, Dharmendra took care to see that he was never visible publicly with his second family. Of course how the children from his second marriage feel about this is another question altogether. Whether his belief that he was being fair to his first family, was justified or not, is again another story. But the issue now is that Dharamendra has decided to contest the elections and the opposition is eager to use every weapon in its kitty to knock him out. The latest is the nikaahnaahma that they have submitted in court, which shows that Dharam married Hema after they converted to Islam as Dilawar Khan and Ayesha Bi. The contention is that he did not divorce his first wife whom he had married under the Hindu Marriage Act. The court is slated to give its verdict today. If it isn't in his favour, not only will Dharam have to withdraw but also Hema might have to give up her seat in the Rajya Sabha.

Complaint is that Dharmender filed wrong information in Parliamentary Elections Nomination Papers. If proven that he did, does it disqualify him from this election??

Nothing wrong in keeping more than one wife if he indeed, (but he is denying it) embrace Islam and contesting elections with correct info in nomination papers.

Same for Hema Malini.

If 2nd marriage is not proven, then every thing is fine. Issue is marriage (as per law), not who lives with who or who fathers a child. None of their business. Getting votes or no votes is another issue.

Rana

POLITICIANS KISSI KO NAHIN BAKSHTEY rana!!

Rana!! In Islamic Law, you can keep two wives!! agree!!

In hindu law, I think, it prohibits MULTIPLE MARRIAGES and wives.

Now this is a different issue!

Hindus can keep mistresses/have children, live with any one( remember, agony of ZAKHM)

For a HINDU to MARRY once again, officially was to CONVERT TO ISLAM, thats what HEMA/DHARAM did because they were REALLY GARAM then!

Now, In Muslim law, there is a clause for second marriage, that u have to have consent from FIRST WIFE! (that most of the time, is a MUTE issue!!)
No wife will OFFICIALY/LEGALLY consent by her SWEET WILL, IMHO!

Now, If Dharam/Hema file as HINDUS, then with their current status, they r not TECHNICALLY LEGAL in their cURRENT MARRIAGE!

If they file under MUSLIM NAMES, with NIKAH NAMA! then they r all HONEST and TRUTHFUL..should be OK!

I dont know, what they did? so the GOT into TROUBLE WATERS!

It is POLITICS mere yaar!! Kursi Ka Sawal hai!!U walk on DOUBLE EDGED SWORD!

Dharmender filed under Hindu names without any mention of 2nd marriage or wife. Dharnmender is denying any 2nd marriage or embracing Islam. I think, the case will be thrown out. It will be difficult to prove that Dharmender lied and get a judgement in time to disqualify him.

Hema Malini already is an upper house of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) member. Nominated, I think. (Some Rajya Sabha members are nominated, most are elected by state legislators).

Rana

If THE OPPOSITION can come up with NIKAH NAMA and HIS PAPER WORK of CONVERSION, then HEMA /DHARAM ka DIN DOOBA! rana!