TOI - Filmmaker O P Dutta passes away

Filmmaker O P Dutta, 90, passed away after suffering from a bout of pneumonia at Kokilaben Hospital on Thursday night.

His inconsolable son, filmmaker J P Dutta told Mumbai Mirror, "I've lost my voice. My soul. Who will write the words that come into my mind when I make a film? Who will fill the void in my heart?"

Abhishek Bachchan was the first to reach the Dutta residence at Juhu to pay his condolences. Close family-friend Suniel Shetty said, "He was like my dad. I always called him dad. During Border's shooting, he gave me many suggestions. He treated everyone like his family. He had a great sense of humour."

According to a Dutta family member, OP (as he was affectionately called) was in acute physical pain for some time now.

"While his body was in a near-paralytic state, his mind remained alert as ever. Months after his illness, he didn't want to be in a hospital. So JP brought him home. There were two nurses on 24-hour duty.

"JP gave up his work, devoting all his time to look after his Dad. OP had lost his other son, Deepak, to the army. JP was his entire world. With Dad gone, JP is shattered and bereft," the family member added.

Rumour has it that OP and the legendary actress Suraiya shared more than just a professional relationship during his first film Pyar Ki Jeet in 1948. Earlier, when asked about Suraiya, OP had said, " Suraiya Bano, to me, was a bundle of unforgettable qualities.

A sublime voice, the ring in the voice, the perfect diction, the effortless rendering. But she always insisted that she was no singer. She brought joy to millions but what about her? I had a peep into her heart and mind, the day I saw her rendering the song 'Tum mujh ko bhool jaao, ab hum na mil sakenge' for 'Bari Behan'. The cry was loud and clear - the cry of a lonely heart. And lonely it remained till the end."

Recently, JP revealed that OP was the first to make an Indo-Pak film called Anokhee in 1956 with Sheila Ramani and a Pakistani star cast, shot in Karachi.

OP's chautha ceremony will happen on Sunday evening at 5 in the ISKON temple in Juhu.