Guru Dutt or Vasanth Kumar Shivashankar Padukone (Konkani: ಗುರು ದತ್ತ್ ; Hindi: गुरु दत्त) (July 9, 1925 - October 10, 1964) was an Indian film director, producer and actor. He is often credited with ushering in the golden era of Hindi cinema. He made quintessential 1950s and 1960s classics such as Pyaasa (Thirst), Kaagaz Ke Phool (Paper Flowers), Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (The Gentleman, the Wife and the Servant) and Chaudhvin Ka Chand (The Fourteenth Day Moon). In particular, Pyaasa and Kaagaz Ke Phool are now included among the greatest films of all time, both by Time magazine's "All-TIME" 100 best movies and by the Sight & Sound critics' and directors' poll, where Dutt himself is included among the greatest film directors of all time. He is sometimes referred to as "India's Orson Welles". He is most famous for making brilliant lyrical and artistic films within the context of popular Hindi cinema of the 1950s, and expanding its commercial conventions, starting with his 1957 masterpiece, Pyaasa. Several of his later works have a cult following. His movies go full house when re-released; especially in Germany, France and Japan. Today, no world cinema class is complete without the inclusion of Guru Dutt. The latest book on him is Ten Years with Guru Dutt: Abrar Alvi's Journey by Sathya Saran based on the recollections of his chief scriptwriter and friend. (via Wikipedia)