Vidhu Vinod Chopra gives an Ode to Guru Dutt

Publishing screenplay books of auteurs of Hindi Cinema that have inspired generations of filmmakers is the brainchild of Vidhu Vinod Chopra. This is his way of giving back to the world of movies and preserve legacy.

He wants to bring passionate students of cinema and film lovers closer to work of directors. He started the Books division in 2009 as his contribution to the world of cinema and quality film making that he is devoted to. The venture started with Lage Raho Munnabhai and then the release of the screenplay book of 3 Idiots in June 2010.

The films made under the guidance of Guru Dutt Films Pvt Ltd. are an ineluctable part of Hindi cinema's belle poque. The screenplays of three of his ageless classics - Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, Chaudhvin Ka Chand and Kaagaz Ke Phool - are now available in book form, thanks to an initiative by Vinod Chopra.

Not just this, Vinod Chopra has even organized an innovative way to launch the set of books. Four directors who have looked up to Guru Dutt; Vinod Chopra, Farhan  Akhtar, Dibakar Banerjee & Anurag Kashyap will come together for a panel discussion on his films and the screenplays that have been written by Dinesh Raheja and Jitendra Kothari.

Vinod Chopra has personally mentored this for the last four years because Guru Dutt is one personality that he has always idolized. He has been hugely inspired by his work and overall personality and hence he invested his time, efforts and finances to release this set of books.

The launch event is scheduled to take place on 23rd February in one of the city hotels.

Vinod Chopra says, "First and foremost I would like to pay my personal tribute to the legendary Guru Dutt for having created films that continue to inspire, amaze, delight and seduce us. Today I feel greatly privileged to bring the original screenplay of these great classics to all cinema lovers."

He further adds, "I want to thank Arun Dutt, for all his support and help with compiling the material; Dinesh Raheja and Jitendra Kothari for working tirelessly on the project; Smriti Kiran for steering it, and last but not least, Ajay Mago and Dipa Chaudhuri at Om Books International for giving our passion a platform."