Pyaasa

This book by Sudhir Nandgaonkar is a passionate expression of his deep affection for Guru Dutt! Nandgaonkar was among the few journalists who reached Guru Dutt’s home immediately after his death. The conversations that took place there, the behind-the-scenes details he learned as a journalist, and his immense respect for Guru Dutt meant that he could never bring himself to believe that Guru Dutt had died by suicide.

Sudhir Nandgaonkar made special efforts to gather information while writing this book. He has adopted a distinctive narrative style that blends biography, biographical fiction, and a life journey.

The book reveals details of events in Guru Dutt’s life that have rarely been written or spoken about, along with fresh insights into his personal life, filmmaking, and thought processes. As readers discover how the films and songs they are familiar with came into being, they become increasingly engrossed in the narrative. At times, they may even feel as though they are direct witnesses to the events themselves.

— Shrikant Bojewar