Guru Dutt biopic in works: 'Bichde Sabhi Baari Baari' adapted into series

Guru Dutt’s life to be explored in multi-part series (Image Credits Archives)

The lives of Hindi cinema’s legendary stars continue to inspire screen adaptations, with another iconic name now set to be explored. Late actor-filmmaker Guru Dutt’s life and legacy are reportedly being developed as a multi-part series.

According to Mid-Day, Manish Goswami’s production house Siddhant Cinevision has acquired the adaptation rights to ‘Bichde Sabhi Baari Baari’, novelist Bimal Mitra’s biography of the celebrated actor-director.

Guru Dutt’s life to be explored in multi-part series

Guru Dutt, regarded as one of Indian cinema’s most influential actor-filmmakers, is the latest legendary personality whose life is set to be brought to the screen. The development comes at a time when projects based on the lives of other iconic Hindi film stars, including Madhubala and Meena Kumari, are also being explored. According to Mid-Day, Siddhant Cinevision, headed by Manish Goswami, has acquired the adaptation rights to Bimal Mitra’s ‘Bichde Sabhi Baari Baari’.

The production house is planning to develop the book into a multi-part series, although details about the format, cast, director and platform have not been revealed yet.

Bimal Mitra had a close association with Guru Dutt

The adaptation is particularly significant because Mitra shared a close personal and professional relationship with Guru Dutt. Their association began when Dutt adapted Mitra’s acclaimed Bengali novel ‘Saheb Bibi Golam’ for the screen. A source cited by Mid-Day revealed that Mitra spent considerable time with Dutt at his Mumbai residence and farmhouse in Lonavala.

Their interactions reportedly involved discussions about scripts as well as long conversations, giving the author an intimate understanding of the actor-filmmaker’s personality and personal struggles.The report stated, “The author spent considerable time with Dutt at his Mumbai home and Lonavala farmhouse, working on scripts and having long conversations with him. Those interactions became the foundation for the memoir.

‘Bichde Sabhi Baari Baari’ also shone a light on Dutt’s troubled marriage to singer Geeta Dutt, his bond with Waheeda Rehman, and the actor-filmmaker’s anxieties and vulnerabilities.”

Guru Dutt’s personal life and relationships to be explored

‘Bichde Sabhi Baari Baari’ offers an account of Guru Dutt beyond his celebrated body of work. The book reportedly delves into his personal relationships, including his marriage to playback singer Geeta Dutt and his bond with actor Waheeda Rehman.

The biography also examines the vulnerabilities and anxieties of the filmmaker, whose career included landmark films such as ‘Pyaasa’, ‘Kaagaz Ke Phool’ and ‘Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam’.

His work as an actor, director and storyteller has continued to influence generations of filmmakers and performers.

Manish Goswami remains tight-lipped about Guru Dutt series

While the adaptation rights have reportedly been acquired and the project is being developed as a multi-part series, several key details remain under wraps.

It is not yet known who will portray Guru Dutt, who will direct the series or where it will stream. When the afore mentioned publication contacted producer Manish Goswami for further details, he said, “It’s premature to discuss the details.”

Guru Dutt joins growing list of Bollywood icons getting screen adaptations

The Guru Dutt project comes at a time when Bollywood is increasingly revisiting the lives of its legendary stars. Among the most closely watched projects is filmmaker Siddharth P Malhotra’s ‘Kamal Aur Meena’, which explores the relationship between Meena Kumari and her filmmaker-husband Kamal Amrohi. According to Variety India's recent report, Triptii Dimri and Saif Ali Khan have been approached to play leads.