Pooja Biraia’s cover story on Guru Dutt was a collector’s issue (‘Master class’, July 20).
Her in-depth exploration of the genius—both biographical and psycho-social—is a remarkable achievement. Pooja has delivered a brilliant piece—not just because I happen to be included in it, but in spite of it!
Kudos to your team for putting together an issue that offers a truly fitting tribute to the timeless brilliance of Guru Dutt.
Lata Jagtiani (author, Thank you, Guru Dutt!)
On email.
Thank you for the exhaustive coverage of the many facets of Dutt’s personality. It beautifully captures him as a maverick, a genius and a visionary. His intense commitment to work, unwavering dedication, creative passion, and self-motivation—especially in the unpredictable world of cinema—often comes at a personal cost, leading to emotional extremes and instability in one’s life.
K.V. Jayaram,
On email.
Dutt was not just a director—he was a consummate craftsman, deeply in love with his art, often placing creative expression above everything else. His films, steeped in emotional and visual poetry, remain timeless and continue to influence generations of filmmakers.
Dutt did not merely make films, he sculpted moments that stay etched in the soul. A century on, his legacy has only grown deeper and more enduring.
K. Chidanand Kumar,
On email.
Dutt was truly a class apart, and I am glad you dedicated a detailed cover story on him. We must never forget icon stars like him who have inspired generations.
I had not realised that Dutt’s real surname was Padukone—and that the ‘Padukone’ shared by both [actor] Deepika Padukone and Guru Dutt actually refers to a place in southern Karnataka, near Mangaluru. What a fascinating connection!
Jayant Bhatia,
On email.
While the cover story made for an intriguing and insightful read, it would have benefitted from greater precision regarding certain key facts—specifically, the place where he died, and clarity on whether it was a deliberate act. These details, I believe, would have added depth and completeness to an otherwise commendable piece.
G.V. Prasad,
On email.
I have often wondered why Dutt changed his name. Why did he not just stick to a shorter version of his real name—Vasant Padukone? For the longest time, I thought Dutt was related to Sunil Dutt and Sanjay Dutt. It turned out, the Dutts weren’t a joint family enterprise!
Then again, if Dutt had kept the surname Padukone, half the country today might have been convinced Deepika was his granddaughter. Perhaps, Dutt figured out it was best not to carry a south Indian tag while working north of the Vindhyas.
Radhika Naidu,
On email.
It doesn’t matter
Uddhav and Raj Thackeray coming together is like two old cousins finally reuniting over a cup of tea—makes for good headlines, but won’t shake up Maharashtra (‘Duo or die’, July 20).
Also, there is nothing wrong with learning Hindi. It is a lovely language—millions speak it, and billions hear it in Bollywood songs whether they want it or not. But forcing it? That is messy and unnecessary.
Raj and Uddhav, in all likelihood, made sure their children learnt Hindi. And as for slapping someone for not speaking a language—that is not a civilised culture. No language deserves that kind of PR.
Also, I don’t approve of Union Home Minister Amit Shah belittling English language. Our global footing is also because of our young people’s mastery of English.
Devina Nagaraj,
On email.
Left on the way out
It is deeply concerning to see the growing crises in Kerala’s health sector (‘Broken system, bleeding faith’, July 20). Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan appears disinterested in course correction, when his team or administration falters. In fact, during times of crisis, he often chooses to travel abroad rather than stay back and lead from the front.
At one point, I had some regard for him as a capable administrator, but that perception has steadily eroded. Despite mounting criticism, he continues to project an air of arrogance, seemingly unaffected by public sentiment. That is unforgivable.
It is becoming increa-singly clear that this could very well be the last term for a left government in Kerala—or perhaps in India altogether. While a change in 2026 seems inevitable, it is also apparent that the BJP will remain on the sidelines in this transition.
Prakash Kunnoth,
On email.
Terrifying prospect
I usually read the ‘Last Word’ first—it is often the most interesting and deeply moving section. Navtej Sarna remains an all-time favourite.
After reading Sarna’s latest column (‘Tuvalu at twilight’, July 13), I imagined myself sitting on the shores of one of those islands predicted to vanish beneath the sea by 2055. It is a terrifying prospect for the people who call these places home.
Goutam Sen,
On email.
No deaths due to asbestos
I have been the chief of the health, safety and environment department of a major chemical company with a legacy spanning over 85 years. My company dealt with hazardous substances such as asbestos, chlorinated hydrocarbons, etc. Despite the risks, I have not come across a single case of a worker dying due to chemical exposure. In contrast, I have witnessed numerous cases of premature death caused by alcoholism and tobacco use (‘Silent killer’, June 22).
H.S. Gopal,
On email.