Pyaasa is a 1957 Indian film produced by, directed by, and starring Guru Dutt. The film tells the story of struggling poet, trying to make his works known in post-independence India, and a prostitute with a heart of gold who eventually helps him get his poems published. The music was composed by S.D. Burman.
With the commercial success of thrillers like Baazi, Jaal, Aar Paar and C.I.D. as well as comedies like Mr. & Mrs. '55, Guru Dutt and his studio were financially secure and established. From 1957, he could now make movies he really wanted to make, including Pyaasa. In 2002, Pyaasa was ranked at #160 on the Sight & Sound critics' and directors' poll of all-time greatest films.[1] In 2005, Pyaasa was rated as one of the 100 best films of all time by Time Magazine, which called it "the soulfully romantic of the lot."[2] Indiatimes Movies ranks the movie amongst the Top 25 Must See Bollywood Films.[3] On the occasion of Valentine's Day 2011 Time magazine has declared it as one of the top 10 romantic movies of all time.[4]
Contents [hide]
1 Plot
2 Production
3 Cast
4 Memorable quotes
5 Music
6 The film then and now
7 Related films
8 References
9 External links
Plot[edit]
Mala Sinha(right) and Waheeda Rehman(left) in the confrontation scene, which is considered one of the film's highlights.
Vijay (Guru Dutt) is an unsuccessful poet whose works are not taken seriously by publishers or his brothers (who sell his poems as waste paper). Unable to bear their taunting that he is a good-for-nothing, he stays away from home and is often out on the streets. He encounters a good-hearted prostitute named Gulabo (Waheeda Rehman), who is enamoured with his poetry and falls in love with him. He also encounters his ex-girlfriend Meena (Mala Sinha) from college and finds out that she has married a big publisher Mr. Ghosh (Rehman) for financial security. Ghosh hires him as a servant to find out more about him and Meena. A dead beggar to whom Vijay gave his coat and whom he tries to save unsuccessfully from the path of a running train is mistaken for Vijay. Gulabo goes to Ghosh and gets his poems published. Ghosh does so feeling he can exploit the poems and make a killing. The poems are very successful. However, Vijay is alive and in the hospital after the train mishap.
Ghosh and Shyam, Vijay's close friend, refuse to recognise him and he is committed to a mental asylum since he insists he is Vijay and is thought to be mad. Vijay's brothers too are bought off by Ghosh not to recognize him and a memorial is held for the dead poet. Vijay with the help of his friend Abdul Sattar (Johnny Walker) escapes from the mental asylum and reaches the memorial service where he denounces this corrupt and materialistic world. Seeing that Vijay is alive his friend and brothers take side with a rival publisher for more money and declare this is Vijay. At a function to honour him, Vijay becomes sick of all the hypocrisy in the world around him and declares he is not Vijay. He then leaves with Gulabo to start a new life.
Production[edit]
In the original ending Guru Dutt wanted to show that Vijay left all alone but on the distributors' insistence the ending was changed. The film was originally titled Pyaas (thirst), but Guru Dutt later changed it to Pyaasa to better describe the film.[5]
The role of Shyam was originally to be played by Guru Dutt's real life friend, Johny Walker but was then assigned to one of Guru Dutt's assistant directors. Guru Dutt wanted to film red light area scenes on locations in Kolkata (then Calcutta) but the crew was attacked by a group of pimps. Guru Dutt however recreated sets on the basis of photos taken at Kolkata.
It is also surmised that the story is based on the life of film's lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi who had failed affair with poet and writer Amrita Pritam .
Cast[edit]
Guru Dutt and Mala Sinha in a scene of the film
Guru Dutt as Vijay
Mala Sinha as Meena
Waheeda Rehman as Gulab – This was her first major leading role in Hindi cinema.[6]
Rehman as Mr. Ghosh
Johnny Walker as Abdul Sattar
Leela Mishra as Vijay's mother
Kumkum as Juhi
Shyam Kapoor as Shyam
Mehmood as Vijay's brother
Tun Tun as Pushplata
Moni Chatterjee as Chatterjee
Memorable quotes[edit]
Vijay: Apne shauk ke liye pyaar karti hai aur apne aaram ke liye pyar bechti hai. [She loves for a hobby and trades it for her comfort.]
Vijay: To phir main yahan kya kar raha hun. Main kyon zinda hun, Gulabo? [What am I doing here? Why am I alive, Gulabo?]
Vijay: These smiling flowers, these fragrant gardens, this world filled... with glorious colors. The nectar intoxicates bees. What little have I to add to this splendor... a few tears, a few sighs.
Vijay: ...I'm not that Vijay
Vijay: Jab Hum Chale Toh Saaya Bhi Apna Na Saath De, Jab Tum Chalo Zameen Chale Aasman Bhi, Jab Hum Ruke Toh Saath Ruke Sham-e-bekasi, Jab Tum Ruko Bahaar Ruke Chandni Bhi (When I walk, even my shadow doesn't give me company; when you walk, the earth and the skies stroll with you. When I stop, stays with me the evening of helplessness; when you stop, halts with you both spring and moonlight...)
Music[edit]
The movie boasts one of the best performances of S.D. Burman, Sahir Ludhianvi, Geeta Dutt and Mohammed Rafi to produce one of the most lyrical Hindi musicals. Pyaasa marked the last collaboration of the long-lasting team of composer S D Burman and lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi.[7]
No. Title Singer(s) Length
1. "Aaj Sajan Mohe Ang Lagalo" Geeta Dutt 04:42
2. "Ham Aapki Aankhon Me" Geeta Dutt, Mohammad Rafi 05:28
3. "Jaane Kya Tune Kahi" Geeta Dutt 03:53
4. "Jane Woh Kaise Log" Hemant Kumar 04:04
5. "Sar Jo Tera Chakraye" Mohammad Rafi 04:08
6. "Ye Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaye" Mohammad Rafi 04:54
7. "Ye Hanste Huye Phool" Mohammad Rafi 07:23
8. "Jinhen Naaz Hai Hind Par" Mohammad Rafi 05:52
9. "Tang Aa Chuke Hain Kashm-e-Kashe Zindagi Se" Mohammad Rafi 04:13
In 2004, the soundtrack for Pyaasa was chosen as one of "The Best Music in Film" by Sight & Sound, the British Film Institute magazine.[8]