MartinHafer I have a harder time evaluating "Pyaasa" than someone watching it in India. That's because here in the States, we are pretty much stuck with whatever DVD copies we get of Indian films. Some have wonderful translations and some are horrible and unwatchable. While "Pyaasa" is not horrible, it's not particularly good and I would love to know if there is a better company making this disc in English. Eros Video's copy does what some annoying DVD producers do--they provide no translations of the songs--so you only can guess as to what they are saying. While it's easier with Indian films to fill in these blanks than with films from most other countries (since the songs are about the action taking place immediately before and after the songs), it still is wrong not to translate them--and does an injustice to the filmmakers. Additionally, a few times the translations are a bit scrambled. It's a shame--but STILL I recommend you see the film because it's very, very good.Vijay is an educated man. However, despite his ability to make money and live the life of a middle-class man, he is a poet by trade and in his heart. Though he'll starve, he'd rather create art and sees life through very romantic eyes. Through most of the film, he's an undiscovered genius. He also has two problematic relationships---one, his ex-girlfriend who has chosen to marry for money and security (and who has broken his heart) and another who is a prostitute who ADORES him and his art.About halfway through the film, however, the film makes a HUGE change in direction. I loved this, as the first half of the film was only mildly interesting. After the twist, the film REALLY came to life. You see, through some odd circumstances, people think Vijay has died. And, like some great artists, after his 'death' he's discovered and adored by the masses! What's next is completely unpredictable and clever--and well worth seeing. I'd say more but I really don't want to spoil the film. It's a classic and well worth seeing. A truly unique and enjoyable plot about love, success and art.

sashank_kini-1 A despondent, weary, aloof, dreamy and penniless poet Vijay (Guru Dutt) sublimates his feelings into poetry,  which is turned down by his licentious publishers. In the first scene, he sings about nature- the sweet spring, the flowers, the bees. When his visit at the publishing house turns unfruitful with the publisher telling that he must've thrown the papers, Vijay frantically searches for them, wrecking the entire place till he finds his papers in the bin. Now if I were the poet, that too a struggling one, I would've certainly been more furious. Anyway, Vijay takes his work and ambles the town till his mother and a boy get hold off him and plead him to come home. 2 ladies are shown shamelessly gossiping in loud tones about Vijay. At home, he is reviled and ostracized by his irascible brothers, while his mother helplessly cries for him.       His brother sold Vijay's poetry file to a raddiwala for 10 annas, and so the poet goes to the friendly raddiwala who tells him that a girl had bought them. A dolorous Vijay wanders at night only to be allured by the warbles of an enigmatic lady (Waheeda) who takes him to a brothel ( yes, she is a prostitute). The lady has his poems but in a fit of rage drives him away only to search for his whereabouts once she knows he is the writer. Vijay also crosses paths with his college-love (Mala) who is now the unhappy wife of his new boss. When Vijay loses hope after his mother's demise and the sorrows around him, he tries to commit suicide. A case of mistaken identity, declares him as dead while he is locked in an institution, his poems now selling in millions. this sorry state of affairs makes him a changed, stoical man who takes a beating and starts a new life.     Pyaasa has some fine poetry in it, simple yet profound. the one bad apple is 'Sar Jo tera Chakraye' an out-of-place song just to attract masses. If Guru Dutt were completely committed to this project, he would've excluded this incongruous, digressive material. The standout ones are the at the college reunion, the sad song at Vijay's boss' home,   the drunken requiem at the chawl and the one towards the end in the auditorium. All are purposeful, tragic and heartfelt. The dream duet with it's Singing in the  Rain-esque magic is lovely, mellifluous and romantic. So, songs are in overall a near success.      In terms of story, excess stretch the movie by almost 15 minutes. The strange love between Sattar and Juhi went nowhere. the maxim 'Money cam buy the world' is adeptly told here, but the end just stretched to absurdity. The climatic scene at the auditorium could've been combined with the next, making it a single scene ( since Vijay already knows of his brothers' hypocrisy ) and ended it the same way with the ladies. A movie has to snag it's build-ups so that it can smash it in the climax. The two climaxes were unnecessary. But, the movie is quite personal and reflective, as many writers mourn their own failures in their works, and resort to drinking and such. I felt that Vijay should've embraced Meena before leaving her since there was such closeness between them. Gulab's character was well-etched, as she professes her selfless love for Vijay. However, the end was too filmy and impractical, since she leaves with him without taking anything with her or even informing her friend Juhi ( again, the scene could've ended with Juhi's affirmation and and embrace).      The acting is a positive aspect in the film. Guru shows his pain and despair in the beginning and stoicism in the end with finesse and naturalism. Waheeda is enlightening, pouring passion, flare, remorse, love in her role. Mala however is over-sentimental, always covering her face with her hand and not living up to her role. Walker's caricature of Sattar fails when he sings, and succeeds when he talks with Vijay. Mr. Ghosh's antagonism can't be blamed to a certain extent since Vijay and Meera being in one locked room can (and should) be disturbing for Mala's husband. The actors who play the brothers as well as Vija's male friend do get some heat with their greedy behavior. Props for them.       The movie is a brave excess, and would've been miles better without the redundancies; a elegy chronicling the Weltschmerz circumscribing a common man who, in this case, is a poet. Yet, Pyaasa quenches the viewer's thirst with it's aching poetries and unaffected performances by GD and WR.

Ibuk I would call Guru Dutt the Orson Welles of Bollywood, Orson Welles made movies that were decades ahead of its time. Pyaasa tells the story of unemployed poet Vijay who can't seem to get his work published. His brothers despise him and think he is a good for nothing. Life takes a strange turn for Vjay when he attempts to take his life, fails and ends up in hospital. Vijay's work gets published by evil publisher(Rehman) and his poetries become an overnight sensation. Vijay, still in hospital overhears someone reading his work and insists it's his writing but no one at the hospital believe him. When Vijay's brothers are called in to identify him they say it's not Vijay because Rehman bribed them. When Vijay finally returns the people who had ignored him now acknowledge him because he is now a successful poet. The finale, at first I thought was a cop out but once I understood Vijay's motives turns out to be one of the most fufilling endings to a Bollywood movie I have ever seen. Pyaasa is a masterpiece of Hindi cinema and highly recommended to all.

Chrysanthepop Dutt had been toying with the idea of making 'Pyaasa' for four years. Some of the film echos part of his life story but not as close as the tragedy 'Kaagaz ke Phool' did. It's also very similar to a recent movie I have seen, namely Ghose's 'Yatra'. Maybe Ghose made 'Yatra' as a tribute to Dutt's 'Pyaasa'. 'Pyaasa' is the story of a talented poet Vijay, who struggles through life trying to get his poems published. But, in this materialist world where money and fame rule, there is no one willing to give Vijay's poetry a chance, except one person, a streetwalker called Gulabo. Gulabo is captured by the beauty of his poetry but what can she can do to get the poems published?'Pyaasa' starts in an unconventional but beautiful way. We see Vijay lying on the park. The poet smiles as he's captured by a bee buzzing over a flower. The smile vanishes as a man's shoe carelessly squashes the bee. This already reflects society's careless attitude towards him. Even Vijay's former lover Meena dumped him because she preferred someone with more wealth.Murthy's cinematography is outstanding making 'Pyaasa' a visual treat. The songs and poems are beautiful and they are a powerful part of the narration as they reflect moments such as Vijay's love for Meena, Gulabo's love for Vijay's poetry, the brothel where people are traded and the devious society. There are so many wonderful scenes. The moments between Vijay and Gulabo are some of my favorites.The performances are top notch. Guru Dutt becomes Vijay and allows the viewer to feel his struggles. Waheeda Rehman is breathtaking and plays her part to perfection. Mala Sinha and Rehman do very well. Johnny Walker is hilarious.'Pyaasa' is Dutt's achievement on multiple levels. One of the best of Indian cinema and no wonder why he's recognized as one of the greatest filmmakers.