I was going to post a complete write-up of Pyaasa (in fact, I promised one weeks ago), but I’m not satisfied with what I wrote, and besides, my opinion of the film is changing with time. It’s growing on me, actually, especially some of the performances. So, I’ve decided to put the great write-up of Pyaasa off for a while – first, I’ll need to watch it again, sometime.
Right now, I just wanted to say that you should go watch this movie if you feel like watching a grim film for grim times. Actually, it is a very worthwhile movie, whether or not you’re in the mood for something grim. Plus, I agree all too much with much of Guru Dutt’s worldview as expressed here, and I can relate too well to his character sometimes. As I’ve said in reference to Shree 420 and a couple of other Indian movies, I can certainly identify with these guys in old Indian movies who have college degrees but still can’t find employment in this very flawed and crooked world. (Hey, would anybody like to bail me out?) And I can relate all too well to the disillusioned writer character, too – I swear I’ve experienced similar rejections to this character, for similar reasons, in both writing and romance.
Plus, oh yes, it seems sometimes that a whole lot of people are out to sell themselves. By this I mean, the respectable people, who’ve found a place in society. As Pyaasa shows us, the prostitutes whom everyone looks down on are probably far more moral for the most part and if you think too much about what they have to go through, it will break your heart. Especially if you’re depressed already…
(“Jine Naaz Heh Hind Par” – vocals by Mohammed Rafi, music by S.D. Burman.)
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P.S. There are good writeups of this movie at Philip’sfil-ums and Filmi Geek.
Dances on the Footpath 