Nearly 43 years after its making, Vijay Anand's timeless classic 'Guide' breathes again before the international audience today at the Cannes Festival. Based on R.K. Narayan's novel of the same name, Guide also remains a seminal film for Dev Anand both as a producer and protagonist.
The 1965 film, Guide was far ahead of its time the way it was scripted and shot by Vijay Anand who directed as well as edited the film. Shailendra's lyrics set to the tunes by S.D. Burman are some of the best produced by popular Indian Cinema. Wahan kaun hai tera, Katon se kheench ke ye aanchal and din dhal jaye are part of the Indian psyche.
Guide also remains the best film of Waheeda Rahman. who played Rosie with dignity and depth. As Raju Guide, Dev Anand's performance defied his popular image of a mere matinee idol.
1. Would you rate Guide as the best film of the 1960s and one of the best of Indian Cinema and why?
2. Do you agree Vijay Anand gave a new idiom to popular Indian cinema by films like Guide, Jewel Thief and Johny Mera Naam ? Do you think Indian critics, the film industry and the Government did not give Vijay Anand his due?
3. Can you name 3 best films of 1960s and where does the Guide stand in your selection?
Don't forget to tell me some thing about you and your profession.
Love to hear from all of you.
2 comments:
Hi All
I am just back from Cannes and I did attend the Guide 'Press Conference' which was sparsely attended, I cannot recall seeing any non-Indian journalist present. Dev Anand now in his mid eighties did give a vociferous response to the journalists - though not answering their questions fully.
It is interesting to note that there have been no Indian films selected by Cannes for competition - something the Indian contingency were vehemently complaining about, even crying foul! It was as if they were demanding by right recognition by the sheer output levels. Well life is not fair... even filmmakers should recognize that... off screen even.
The film Guide is no doubt a classic and deserved to be recognized in the Cannes classic.
I ask myself the question which film would I nominate from the last decade or which could stand the test of time. I cannot call this one at all!
Guide is definitely a film which has stood the test of time and like good wine becomes more appealing with time - But new wines do come along once in a while in competition ....? More rarely in some cases!
The other 60's film greats are Bandini,Upkar, Aashirwaad.
Guide was and is Dev Anand's masterpiece and ranks highly with the afore-mentioned. Like many artist's works true recognition comes much later - even after they have departed.
Sam Sterling
film producer
Hi All
I am surprised to know from Sam who attended the fest that the attendance was so thin at Cannes for Dev Anand's Guide.
That means Indians themselves do not take pride in our things but talk big about Bollywood.
Did you see Guide. I am sure the print must have been stunning!!
Secondly Sam, what do think of the Bollywood hype? Do you think it is real or skin deep???
Lalit
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