The possibility of Vicky Kaushal portraying the legendary Guru Dutt in an upcoming biopic has sparked considerable excitement in Bollywood. As the Indian film industry approaches Guru Dutt's 100th birth anniversary on July 9th, 2025, Ultra Media & Entertainment Group, the owner of the rights to his filmography, is planning a grand commemoration of his life and work. This includes a potential biopic and web series adaptations of his most celebrated movies.
Rajat Agrawal, COO and Director at Ultra Media, confirmed that preliminary conversations regarding a full-length biopic of the iconic filmmaker have commenced. According to a Mid-Day report, Agrawal stated that "Biopics are always challenging because they need to emulate an individual's greatness and achievements. We would be happy to collaborate with producers and a modern-day director who is a fanatic of Guru Dutt." He also mentioned that the company is in discussions with two prominent directors.
When asked about who could capture the complexity and sensitivity of Guru Dutt on screen, Agrawal suggested Vicky Kaushal as a strong possibility. He noted, "Naming one actor would be difficult as there is a plethora of talent, but I feel Vicky Kaushal can bring Guru Duttji's emotional depth."
Vicky Kaushal has already demonstrated his acting prowess in a number of films, winning praise for his ability to portray a variety of roles with depth and authenticity. His performances in films such as "Masaan," "Raazi," "Uri: The Surgical Strike," and "Sardar Udham" have cemented his reputation as one of Bollywood's most talented actors. He has shown the emotional range and dedication required to portray such a complex figure as Guru Dutt. In an interview in 2018, Kaushal expressed his admiration for Guru Dutt, stating that he was "inspired and inquisitive" about the filmmaker's life and intrigued by his ability to "romance with sadness".
Guru Dutt, born Vasanth Kumar Shivashankar Padukone, was a multifaceted talent who made a lasting impression on Indian cinema. As an actor, director, and producer, he was best known for films such as "Pyaasa" (1957), "Kaagaz Ke Phool" (1959), "Chaudhvin Ka Chand" (1960), and "Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam" (1962). His films frequently dealt with themes of social alienation, artistic struggle, and the complexities of human relationships. Dutt's personal life, which was marked by both success and sorrow, adds to the intrigue surrounding a potential biopic.
Ultra Media is also considering adapting some of Dutt's famous films into web series, in addition to the biopic. While no formal announcements have been made, Agrawal revealed that two well-known directors have expressed interest in reimagining the filmmaker's stories for the digital space.
Earlier this month, Ultra Media presented restored versions of Guru Dutt's cinematic landmarks – "Pyaasa," "Kaagaz Ke Phool," "Chaudhvin Ka Chand," and "Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam" – at the Cannes Film Festival 2025. This initiative aims to reintroduce Dutt's works to contemporary audiences while preserving their original charm. The restored films will also be re-released in Indian cinemas as part of a week-long tribute leading up to Dutt's birth anniversary on July 9.
While the biopic is still in the early stages of development, the prospect of Vicky Kaushal playing Guru Dutt has generated considerable anticipation. If the project proceeds, it will be interesting to see how the filmmakers handle Dutt's complicated life and artistic legacy, as well as how Kaushal embodies the renowned filmmaker's spirit.
