Overview
A poignant tale of passion and despair, where a poet's voice struggles to be heard in a world that dismisses him.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- melancholic
- poetic
- socially conscious
- classic cinema night
- reflective evening
What critics said
Critics broadly regard Pyaasa as a landmark Hindi social melodrama whose lyrical direction, music, performances, and condemnation of greed remain powerful.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Vijay’s poems condemn poverty, arrogance, greed, and the failures of affluent society.
Vijay’s poetry gains attention only when its publishers and affluent admirers can detach it from his disheveled, impoverished identity.
The black-and-white cinematography reinforces Vijay’s isolation, poverty, and estrangement from respectable society.
Gulabo, a prostitute, recognizes Vijay’s humanity and works to help him when his family and social institutions reject him.
Films like Pyaasa, and why
Kaagaz Ke Phool
socially conscious poetic drama centered on a marginalized artist and disillusionment with wealth
Andaz
black-and-white Hindi melodrama combining romance, music, class critique, and emotional idealism
Do Bigha Zamin
poignant Indian social drama about poverty, dignity, and compassion amid institutional indifference
Mother India
romantic social melodrama pairing lyrical expression with critique of postcolonial inequality
Movie Details
- Director
- Guru Dutt
- Release Date
- 1957-02-19
- Runtime
- 146 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (75)
Cast
- Guru Dutt
- Waheeda Rehman
- Mala Sinha
- Johnny Walker
- Rehman
- Kumkum
- Leela Mishra
- Shyam Kapoor
- Mehmood
- Radheshyam
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video
- Buy
- Amazon Video
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Pyaasa about?
- A disowned poet finds unexpected solidarity with a prostitute while confronting the greed and hypocrisy of a society that wants his art without his humanity.
- What is Pyaasa like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Pyaasa as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Pyaasa violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Pyaasa as mild.
- What did critics think of Pyaasa?
- Critics broadly regard Pyaasa as a landmark Hindi social melodrama whose lyrical direction, music, performances, and condemnation of greed remain powerful.
- Which films are like Pyaasa?
- Films with a similar feel include Kaagaz Ke Phool, Andaz, Do Bigha Zamin, and Mother India.
- How long is Pyaasa?
- Pyaasa runs 146 minutes.
- Where can I watch Pyaasa?
- In United States, Pyaasa is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video.
