According to accounts, Guru Dutt was captivated when he first met Waheeda Rehman, seeing her as his artistic inspiration, which prompted him to tailor his films around her in the following years. However, during this time, Guru Dutt’s marriage to singer Geeta Dutt was strained. Their once-passionate love affair began to falter, and they even experienced a separation. Geeta suspected infidelity and attempted to catch him in the act, leading to a troubling incident where Guru Dutt reportedly raised his hand against her.
Their relationship began when Guru Dutt was directing his first film, Baazi, while Geeta Roy, as she was known then, had already achieved fame as a singer. Hired to perform the song “Tadbeer Se Bigdi Hui” for the film, the two quickly developed a romantic connection. However, their differing career trajectories created challenges; Guru Dutt was still reliant on public transport, while Geeta enjoyed the luxury of cars. Living in Matunga, Mumbai, Guru Dutt’s family came to appreciate Geeta, but her own family was less supportive, as they depended on her income. Consequently, the couple did not marry until three years later.
Guru Dutt’s sister, Lalita Lajmi, recounted in an interview with Nasreen Munni Kabir for “Guru Dutt: A Life in Cinema” that the family adored Geeta, describing her as a humble and kind-hearted woman who even assisted in household chores during her free time. By the time they wed, Guru Dutt’s career was beginning to flourish, but he had not yet solidified his status in the industry. In contrast, Geeta was an established star, leading to speculation that Guru Dutt had married her for her fame and financial stability. Vasanthi Padukone, Guru Dutt’s mother, noted in a discussion with Imprint magazine that while she dismissed these claims, she sensed that the marriage faced significant challenges.
Vasanthi expressed concerns about the couple’s compatibility, citing their differing incomes and stubborn personalities as major obstacles. She also highlighted Guru Dutt’s disapproval of Geeta’s social interactions and drinking habits, which created further distance between them. His traditional views clashed with Geeta’s lifestyle, and as they drifted apart, Vasanthi lamented the inability of those around them to intervene and mend their relationship.
As Guru Dutt’s fame grew, he began to express dissatisfaction with Geeta’s career, insisting that she should restrict her singing to his films, believing she should retire from the industry following her peak success. Bimal Mitra, a close friend of Guru Dutt, reflected on their dynamic in his memoir “Binidra,” recalling a conversation where he questioned Guru Dutt’s attempts to limit Geeta’s professional opportunities. Guru Dutt acknowledged her declining fame but justified his stance by stating that he allowed her to perform in his projects.
Geeta’s unease extended beyond her career constraints; she had heard rumors regarding Guru Dutt’s relationship with Waheeda Rehman and actively sought information to confirm her suspicions. At one point, she visited Abrar Alvi, a confidant of Guru Dutt, inquiring about the alleged affair. Despite knowing the truth, Abrar denied any knowledge of the relationship, highlighting the complexity of the situation.
Geeta’s lack of trust in Guru Dutt became evident, as noted in “Guru Dutt: An Unfinished Story” by Yasser Usman, where Vasanthi described Geeta as a “jealous and temperamental” individual who was easily manipulated. In a desperate move, Geeta forged a letter purportedly from Waheeda Rehman, inviting Guru Dutt to meet her. When Guru Dutt read the letter, he was skeptical of its authenticity and suspected Geeta’s motivations. Upon arriving at the designated meeting place, they encountered Geeta’s car, leading to a confrontation that resulted in Guru Dutt raising his hand against her, a moment that Abrar later recounted with sorrow.
