By Hindustan Times

Mumbai, April 6 -- Dada Saheb Phalke Award-winner cinematographer V K Murthy, famous for his camera work in Guru Dutt's classics like Pyaasa and Sahib, Bibi Aur Ghulam, believes that only Aamir Khan can play Guru Dutt onscreen. Murthy, a close friend of the legendary actor-director believes that only a perfectionist like Aamir can do justice to the role.

Passionate and impressive

"I don't get impressed by actors easily but Aamir is in a different league. Lagaan and Taare Zameen Par are classics of Indian cinema. Aamir does not follow the Bollywood formula and is very passionate about his work. He reminds me of Guru Dutt," said Murthy in an interview.

The 87-year-old Murthy is the first technician to be honoured with Dada Saheb Phalke trophy, Indian cinema's highest award, since its inception in 1969. "I was very close to Guru Dutt and he was a man of depth. Only a perfectionist like Aamir can do justice to him," said Murthy. Dev D director Anurag Kashyap has written a script based on the life of Guru Dutt, one of the most influential figures in Indian cinema, known for ushering in the golden era of Hindi cinema with his classics like Pyaasa (1957), Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962) and Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960). According to Arun Dutt, Guru Dutt's son, Aamir has been approached for the project and he has asked for the script.

Murthy and Guru Dutt were close friends. So much so that the cinematographer, who is credited for filming India's first cinemascope movie Kaagaz Ke Phool, refused to work with any other director during Guru Dutt's lifetime. "Who remembers technicians? But I am happy that my work has been appreciated. After the director, it is cameraman's work which is most important in a film. Hopefully, people will understand this," he said.