As the three books of screenplay of Guru Dutt’s films by Dinesh Raheja and Jeetu Kothari were launched in the city on Monday, four renowned filmmakers came together to compare notes on the cinematic genius. Excerpts from their conversation…

From left: Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Dibakar Banerjee, Farhan Akhtar and Anurag Kashyap and (below)  Dinesh Raheja. Pic/Yogen shah

Farhan Akhtar
My introduction to Guru Dutt was also through Pyaasa, thanks to my mother (Honey Irani). What sustains is his relevance, in terms of subject material, social conscience… When you hear his songs like Yeh duniya agar mil bhi jaaye toh kya hai or Jinhe naaz hai hind, you realise he spoke about issues that are relevant even today.