From the archives: How Raj Khosla and Guru Dutt struck up an instant friendship

In the late 1980s, I had the privilege of meeting Raj Khosla. I was introduced to him by Guru Dutt’s sister, the artist Lalitha Lajmi, who took me to see him in Marina Apartments in Pali Hill in Bandra, Mumbai. His apartment was later bought by Aamir Khan’s family, and it is where they still live today.

At that time, I was researching material for a documentary I later made called In Search of Guru Dutt (Channel 4 TV, UK, 1989) and meeting Raj Khosla was most memorable. His love for cinema, warmth of personality and generosity of heart were so evident.

Following are excerpts from two conversations, the first an audio interview recorded on November 5, 1986, and the second filmed on September 22, 1988.

Raj Khosla: In those days [late 1940s, early 1950s], I wanted to be a playback singer. Dev [Anand] was trying to help me, but things weren’t working out. So, one day he told me, “There’s a friend of mine, Guru Dutt, and he’s going to direct my next picture. Why don’t you become his assistant?”

“I don’t want to do filmmaking; I want to sing.”

He said, “Come on! Get together, things will gradually fall into place.”

That’s how I met Guru Dutt. He asked me, “Do you have...

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