Pyaasa

Pyaasa literally meaning Eternal Thirst was made in 1957, starring GuruDutt, Waheeda Rahman, Mala Sinha is included in Time's top 100 movies of all time and rightly so. A compelling story about Vijay (GuruDutt) as the protagonist who goes on from being the love struck college student to a unsuccessful poet to a ir(responsible) son, a burden on his kith and kin, the mad man, the servant of the ex-lover's husband etc. On the other side, he strikes success, he becomes the all important brother, a loving and caring son, a very popular and successful public figure posthumously and the most significant of all, the hero of Gulabo(Waheeda Rahman).
Well, this story was told in about 2 1/2 hours with some amazing screenplay and great cinematography, wonderful lyrics and some soulful singing by GeetaDutt, Hemant Kumar and Mohd Rafi and not to forget music by S.D Burman, There is this wonderful cohesion between all the elements of the movie, that one cannot take their eyes on from even a single frame of the movie.
What strikes one when watching Pyaasa, is the limited appearance of Gulabo, but her lingering presence throughout the movie. Nothing is ever spoken between her and Vijay, but there is an amazing spark or whatever between the two. Even the villains and the vamps played mainly by Vijay's ex-girlfriend Meena(Mala Sinha) and her husband Mr. Ghosh(Rehaman) are so realistic to say the least. Mala Sinha plays the role beautifully, not at all over doing it, by marrying Mr Ghosh and citing reasons of poverty and the unsuccessful career of Vijay. Even towards the end when Vijay declines fame, money and recognition, Meena is telling him to go get all the of those passionately as if it is some medicine or some repenting for her doings. Though the rich and the poor theme has (over) used in a lot of movies there is a certain sensitive way the theme has been handled here.
But what amazes me is though the world is against Vijay his mother is so supportive and loving even though her other children are materialistic, rude and insensitive. Ironically, Vijay does not perform the last rites of her mother.
The presence of Johhny Walker in the movie keeps the story balanced which otherwise might become depressing for some. Also he plays a valuable role in getting Vijay out of the asylum and acts as a link between Gulabo and Vijay.
At one point when Vijay gives his coat to poor old man and the old man dies in coming in the way of a speeding train and dies; people recognize the dead to be the poet Vijay. Gulabo, on the other hand gets these poems of Vijay printed by none other than Mr. Ghosh who is the editor of a popular newspaper. And then there is fame for Vijay, mourning of his death, the opportunistic use of the dead Vijay for money by his brothers, praises from Mr Ghosh who had rejected Vijay's poems initially and instead hired him as a servant and following of people who adore his poems. There are some finer intricacies, deeply insightful which sadly cannot be summarized here(So watch the movie!).
Finally when Vijay denies recognition and fame and goes to Gulabo and together they leave the town, it gives a sense of how success is perceived. The significance of the ending can be thought of as a simile between life and how we live it. Gulabo gets Vijay all the fame and recognition he sought which he always wanted but finally takes Gulabo, giving up many other things which have are ( portrayed to be) hypocritical and ephemeral.
Its a movie to watch and one should have it among the favorites!

For more links and info. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyaasa

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