Theatre group Raabta brought the life, dreams and creative struggles of filmmaker Guru Dutt to the Shoolini University campus on October 12 through Bemisaal Guru Dutt: Zindagi, Cinema Aur Khwaab. Around 360 students, faculty members and guests attended the performance, which marked the first pre-event of the seventh Shoolini Literature Festival, scheduled for March 12–14, 2027.
The performance took place two days after Guru Dutt’s death anniversary and World Mental Health Day, both observed on October 10. The play explored the relationship between creativity and emotional turmoil, reflecting on the loneliness and vulnerability behind the filmmaker’s achievements. His films, including Pyaasa and Kaagaz Ke Phool, remain landmarks of Indian cinema.
The 105-minute production combined biographical storytelling with music, dance and an interplay of light and shadow. It drew on the visual language of Guru Dutt’s cinema to recreate the magic of his films and the contradictions of the man behind them. The performance moved between humour, nostalgia and intense emotion, recalling the poetry and music of his cinematic era.
Ashoo Khosla, Director of Shoolini Literature Festival, said, “We often celebrate creativity for the beauty it produces, but rarely talk about the emotional price that sometimes accompanies it. Guru Dutt’s life reminds us that extraordinary talent and deep vulnerability can coexist. With World Mental Health Day falling on October 10, this performance was particularly relevant. It gave our students an opportunity to reflect not just on great cinema, but also on the human being behind the artist.”
Delhi-based theatre group Raabta brings literature to the stage through storytelling, poetry and live music. Its productions include Wo Afsaana, which explores the relationship between Sahir Ludhianvi and Amrita Pritam, and Chand Qissey, a presentation of stories from Urdu literature.
Jaishree and Shamir researched and wrote the production, which Shamir also designed and directed. The cast included Jaishree, Nusra, Shreeya, Naseem, Mirza Tariq and Shamir. Nusra designed the costumes, while Swati, Shweta and Ishita provided backstage support. Jaishree was also the Assistant Director.
Chancellor Prof PK Khosla appreciated the artists for bringing an important chapter of Indian cinema to campus. “Universities must be spaces where science, literature, cinema and the performing arts come together. Education is not only about acquiring knowledge but also about developing sensitivity, imagination and empathy. Performances such as these help young people understand the complexities of human life and the power of artistic expression,” he said. Prof Khosla and Mrs Khosla felicitated the visiting artists after the performance.
Students from the university’s theatre group helped organise the event and coordinate arrangements, gaining practical experience in theatre production and event management. Previous editions of the Shoolini Literature Festival have hosted personalities from literature, cinema, music and the arts.
13 October 2026