Thirst

1957

2h 26m

Drama

List

100%

Tomatometer

7 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

Vijay (Guru Dutt) writes unpopular poems about the destitute and poor. Ridiculed by his brothers and scorned by publishers, Vijay finds encouragement in a sweet prostitute, Gulabo (Waheeda Rehman). When a homeless man wearing a coat Vijay gave him is killed, Gulabo convinces a publisher to print his poems, believing Vijay to be dead. The poems are wildly popular, thanks to the myth conjured around Vijay's supposed death. When he reappears, he finds that few friends can be trusted.

Shubhra Gupta

The Indian Express

What does art, and the poet stand for, and how does he handle the onslaught of the banal and mediocre lie at the heart of this marvellous, moody meditation on the state of the nation by Guru Dutt...

Aug 16, 2021

Full Review

Siddhant Adlakha

indieWire

Pyaasa runs the gamut of musical mood and tone, and yet it feels like following a wild butterfly along a singular journey as it flutters on the wind.

Jun 30, 2021

Full Review

Fred Camper

Chicago Reader

The final third of this 1957 Indian musical is convoluted but also moving, as dramatic compositions heighten the narrative conflict between artistic idealism and an avaricious society.

Apr 11, 2015

Full Review

David Parkinson

Radio Times

This heart-rending masala is a solemn meditation on the impossibility of poetry in a cruel world and it marked a distinct change in tone for actor/director Guru Dutt.

Oct 20, 2017

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Masterfully manages to let us know in a meaningful way the timeless message of how cruelly the world treats its true artists.

Rated: B+

Jun 4, 2013

Full Review

Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

[VIDEO] "Pyaasa" set a high watermark for Guru Dutt, and left the world with a pure tour de force of Bollywood cinema.

Rated: A

Nov 9, 2011

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Audience Member

Possibly the greatest Indian film ever made. It draws the themes of mainstream cinema but is equally great in artistic value. The glistening black and white cinematography, unique story, and a rare achievement of captivating the elites as well as civilians equally leaves the audience in awe till date, making it a timeless masterpiece

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

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Audience Member

It saddens me that as of 12 March 2020 no Indian film critic has reviewed this film and these asshole call themselves filmlovers

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

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Audience Member

best bollywood movie ever.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

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Audience Member

all i can say is this is as good if not better than any hollywood musical of the period. guru dutt was a true auteur of vision. too bad he died so young

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

Full Review

Audience Member

One of the best Indian films ever with the best urdu lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi, soulful music by SD Burman & excellent flawless direction, story & acting by Guru Dutt. Hail Guru Dutt.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

By Playing an Indigent Poet, Guru Dutt has Portrayed what Man Basically need to live , with Unique Dialogues, Nagme and Amiable Waheeda rehman, this Movie Indeed is master Piece and required lot of Patience to Comprehend.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

Full Review

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Guru Dutt

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Guru Dutt

Vijay

Mala Sinha

Meena

Waheeda Rehman

Gulabo

Rehman

Mr Ghosh

Johnny Walker

Abdul Sattar

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Synopsis

Vijay (Guru Dutt) writes unpopular poems about the destitute and poor. Ridiculed by his brothers and scorned by publishers, Vijay finds encouragement in a sweet prostitute, Gulabo (Waheeda Rehman). When a homeless man wearing a coat Vijay gave him is killed, Gulabo convinces a publisher to print his poems, believing Vijay to be dead. The poems are wildly popular, thanks to the myth conjured around Vijay's supposed death. When he reappears, he finds that few friends can be trusted.

Director: Guru Dutt
Producer: Guru Dutt
Screenwriter: Abrar Alvi
Production Co: Guru Dutt Films Pvt. Ltd.
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Hindi
Release Date (Streaming): May 22, 2017
Runtime: 2h 26m

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