Guide was Dev Anand's first film in color.
S.D. Burman fell very sick while composing music for this film. Dev Anand waited for his favorite music director to recover instead of getting a new one. S.D. Burman got better and went on to compose some of his best music ever.
The movie song "Aaj phir jeene ki tamanna hai" is shot in Chittorgarh Fort, Rajasthan. In fact, the reflection of the heroine on one of the mirrors, during the song, is inspired from the legendary tale of Alauddin Khilji catching a glimpse of Queen Padmini on the same mirror in the main hall.
Dev and Vijay Anand had first approached lyricist Hasrat Jaipuri for this film. After being disappointed by Hasrat's offered lyrics, the brothers turned to Shailendra. Shailendra, on his part, was disappointed that he was the second choice and quoted a fee that was very high at that time. The brothers agreed and Shailendra offered them the mukhda of "Gaata Rahe Mera Dil" by the time they left.
Was the First Indian Film ever to be invited by the Cannes Film Festival Committee to be showcased in the 'Cannes Classics' section at the Cannes Film Festival in 2008. Dev Anand walked the Red Carpet for this event along with the then Indian Ambassador to France, his son Suneil Anand accompanied him.