Guru Dutt’s classic film ‘‘Pyaasa’’ (1957) remains a timeless gem of Indian Cinema © film critic Lalit Rao (FIPRESCI) 09.08.2025

Guru Dutt’s classic film ‘‘Pyaasa’’ (1957) remains a timeless gem of Indian Cinema © film critic Lalit Rao (FIPRESCI) dated 09.08.2025 

 

 

In 1957, Indian cinema saw the emergence of a masterpiece that would forever mark the history of the seventh art : Pyaasa, directed and acted by the legendary Guru Dutt. More than six decades later, this film remains a landmark work—not only for the richness of its narrative and the depth of its themes, but also for its formal audacity and its critical eye on society 

 

 

                                                                Guru Dutt, the poet of cinema

 

Indian cinéaste Guru Dutt holds a singular place in the pantheon of Indian filmmakers. Apart from Satyajit Ray, he is one of the few Indian directors cherished by French critics, known for their artistic rigor and pronounced taste for auteur cinema. His universe, imbued with lyricism, melancholy, and humanity, has touched entire generations of viewers. Pyaasa is perhaps his most accomplished example, crystallizing both his aesthetic vision and his social engagement.

 

Guru Dutt’s recognition in recent times in France was reinforced by the release, by Carlotta Films, of a DVD box set aimed at French-speaking cinéphiles. This effort allowed many European as well as Francophone viewers to discover the work of an artist who, although rooted in the Indian context, speaks to the universal human soul.

 

                                                     Pyaasa as a melodrama with a beating heart

 

Pyaasa, literally meaning thirsty, tells the story of Vijay, a talented but unknown poet who faces the harshness of life in a society where a person’s worth is measured only by wealth. Behind its apparent melodramatic structure, the film retains a striking relevance for today’s world: the posthumous glorification of geniuses contrasts with the cruel indifference toward living talents, and money dominates as the sole measure of human value.

 

Guru Dutt uses Vijay as a mirror held up to society: an unappreciated artist, reduced to misery, rejected by his own family, humiliated by the powerful. His trajectory reflects the frustration and solitude of countless creators who cannot find their place in a commodified world.

 

                                                    Pyaasa is a story of injustices and disillusionment

 

The film opens with Vijay’s daily struggles: unemployed, his poems rejected by publishers, surviving day to day. One striking scene shows him working as a porter: paid with a counterfeit coin, he goes to a restaurant for food, only to be publicly shamed by the owner upon discovering the fake money. This moment of symbolic brutality perfectly illustrates the social humiliation inflicted on the poor.

 

Hardships pile up: Vijay loses his mother, is thrown out of his home by his brothers, and suffers the arrogance of a wealthy publisher, Mr. Ghosh. At a lavish reception in Ghosh’s home, Vijay is made to serve drinks to the guests. Upon hearing poetry, he improvises beautiful verses, but instead of being praised, he is ignored—his social status eclipsing the value of his words.

 

                                                Thwarted loves and unshakable loyalty in Pyaasa 

 

Throughout the story, two women mark Vijay’s life. The first is Meena, a former love. Though their feelings were once genuine, Meena ultimately marries Mr. Ghosh, choosing financial security over an uncertain life with a penniless poet. The second is Gulabo, a poor prostitute who sees Vijay’s worth where the world sees none. Through love and determination, she manages to have his poems published. Gulabo embodies purity of heart, in stark contrast to the superficiality and opportunism of the wealthy.

 

                                                         Pyaasa is a scathing social critique

 

One of Pyaasa’s greatest strengths lies in its denunciation of Indian society’s flaws—and, by extension, any society stratified by wealth. This critique reaches its peak in the song Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par (“Where are those who are proud of India?”), a poignant sequence that exposes the hypocrisy and moral decay of a nation in transformation. Through music and poetry, Guru Dutt poses questions that remain current: What is the true value of culture? What does it mean to be proud of a country when its most vulnerable citizens are left behind?

 

                                                  Pyaasa establishes a subtle balance of comedy and drama 

 

Although fundamentally dramatic, Pyaasa never sinks into heaviness. Guru Dutt, aware of the importance of narrative rhythm, introduces comic relief, notably through the character of Sattar, a masseur played by Johnny Walker, and a corpulent woman portrayed by Tun Tun. These moments, while light, do not break the dramatic tension; rather, they underscore its gravity through contrast.

 

                                      Performances of principal as well as secondary actors are filled with depth

 

In addition to Guru Dutt’s nuanced and moving portrayal of Vijay, the film features Mala Sinha (Meena) and Waheeda Rehman (Gulabo), both impeccable in very different roles. The cast is rounded out by strong supporting performances from Johnny Walker, Tun Tun Mehmood, Leela Mishra, and Rehman. Each contributes to making Pyaasa’s world believable and immersive.

 

                                              Music as the soul of Guru Dutt film ''Pyaasa'' 

 

The soundtrack, composed by S.D. Burman, is now regarded as one of the finest in Hindi cinema history. The songs, performed by legendary voices, are not mere musical interludes: they extend and intensify the emotional impact of the scenes, while serving the film’s social and poetic aims. The lyrics by Sahir Ludianvi, infused with melancholy and revolt, still resonate deeply with modern audiences.

 

                                        The visual artistry of veteran cinematographer V.K.Murthy

 

Pyaasa’s cinematography bears the signature of V.K. Murthy, one of Indian cinema’s greatest cinematographers. His long-standing collaboration with Guru Dutt produced unforgettable images in films like Baaz, C.I.D., and Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam. In Pyaasa, Murthy creates sumptuous black-and-white visuals, using contrasts in light to highlight Vijay’s loneliness or the superficiality of elite social gatherings. His work transcends realism, reaching a form of visual poetry.

 

                                                              An invisible city called Calcutta

 

Interestingly, although the film was shot in Calcutta, few recognizable landmarks appear on screen. Guru Dutt chooses to focus the camera on his characters and their interactions, rather than on the cityscape. This decision reinforces the universality of the story: Vijay could be anywhere, for the marginalization of artists is a phenomenon that knows no borders.

 

                             Rebirth of Guru Dutt’s masterpiece ‘‘Pyaasa’’ through Restoration

 

Seeing Pyaasa today in its restored version is a precious experience. The collaboration between the NFDC (National Film Development Corporation), NFAI (National Film Archive of India), and Ultra Media & Entertainment Pvt. Ltd has restored the film to its original glory. The nuances of black and white, the finesse of Murthy’s lighting, and the sonic richness of Burman’s compositions gain new intensity. For younger generations, it is an opportunity to experience the film in conditions close to those of its original release.

 

                                                            Guru Dutt : A living legacy

 

Beyond its place in Indian film history, Pyaasa retains a surprising relevance. Its clear-eyed look at the plight of artists, its questioning of human worth, and its denunciation of social hypocrisy continue to resonate in a world where money still too often defines value. Guru Dutt offers not only a work of art but also a moral and philosophical statement. More than just a melodrama, Pyaasa is a visual poem about dignity, love, betrayal, and hope. It reminds us that the true prestige of a nation lies not in its glittering façades, but in the way it treats its most vulnerable citizens.