Vijay (Dutt) is an unsuccessful poet whose work is sold by his brothers as waste paper. Unable to bear the reigning philistinism, he elects to live on the streets where a young prostitute, Gulab (W. Rehman), falls in love with him and his poetry while Vijay’s former girlfriend Meena (Sinha) marries an arrogant publisher, Mr Ghosh (Rehman), for comfort and security.
When a dead beggar to whom Vijay gave his coat is mistaken for Vijay, Gulab has his poetry published in a book which becomes a best seller. Everyone who previously rejected Vijay now gathers to pay tribute to the dead poet. Vijay disrupts the celebration with a passionate song denouncing hypocrisy and calling for the violent destruction of a corrupt world.
Cast: Guru Dutt, Mala Sinha, Waheeda Rehman
Crew: Guru Dutt (Director), VK Murthy (Director of Photography), Sachin Dev Burman (Music Director)
Rating: U (India)
Genres: Musical, Romance, Drama
Release Dates: 19 Feb 1957 (India)
Hindi Name: प्यास
Did you know? The film was originally titled 'Pyaas' (thirst), but Guru Dutt later changed it to 'Pyaasa' to better describe the film. Read More
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Film Type:
Feature
Language:
Hindi
Colour Info:
Black & White
Sound Mix:
Mono
Frame Rate:
24 fps
Aspect Ratio:
2.39:1 (Scope)
Stereoscopy:
No
Filming Locations:
Trivia:
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.
In the original ending Guru Dutt wanted to show that Vijay left all alone but on the distributors' insistence the ending was changed.
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 .
On the occasion of Valentine's Day 2011 Time magazine has declared this movie as one of the top 10 romantic movies of all time.
The film was originally titled 'Pyaas' (thirst), but Guru Dutt later changed it to 'Pyaasa' to better describe the film.
The film was to be made with Nargis and Madhubala in the roles Mala Sinha and Waheeda Rehman played eventually. However the two actresses were unable to decide which role they wanted to play and Guru Dutt eventually opted for two then new actresses, Mala and Waheeda.
The movie was rated one of the best 100 films of all time by the Time Magazine in 2005.
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.
This movie by Guru Dutt is a classic melodrama inspired by Saratchandra’s novel 'Srikanta', was the first in a series made by him, addressing the state of the nation and the displaced romantic artist
This movie has been rated as the number-one all-time favorite movie by the Bollywood actor Aamir Khan
This was Waheeda Rehman's first major leading role in Hindi cinema, and it was a bold choice because she had to play the character of Gulab, a sex-worker.
In the original ending Guru Dutt wanted to show that Vijay left all alone but on the distributors' insistence the ending was changed.
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 .
On the occasion of Valentine's Day 2011 Time magazine has declared this movie as one of the top 10 romantic movies of all time.
The film was originally titled 'Pyaas' (thirst), but Guru Dutt later changed it to 'Pyaasa' to better describe the film.
The film was to be made with Nargis and Madhubala in the roles Mala Sinha and Waheeda Rehman played eventually. However the two actresses were unable to decide which role they wanted to play and Guru Dutt eventually opted for two then new actresses, Mala and Waheeda.
The movie was rated one of the best 100 films of all time by the Time Magazine in 2005.
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.
This movie by Guru Dutt is a classic melodrama inspired by Saratchandra’s novel 'Srikanta', was the first in a series made by him, addressing the state of the nation and the displaced romantic artist
This movie has been rated as the number-one all-time favorite movie by the Bollywood actor Aamir Khan
This was Waheeda Rehman's first major leading role in Hindi cinema, and it was a bold choice because she had to play the character of Gulab, a sex-worker.
