Guru Dutt's Pyaasa (1957) and Dev Anand's Guide (1965) are considered two of the greatest movies ever made in India. Why are they so critically acclaimed and loved by generations of movie lovers?
Pyaasa is precisely admired for its profound social commentary. "The film is a powerful and bleak critique of post-independence India's materialism, hypocrisy, and the commercialization of art. It explores themes of unemployment, poverty, and the struggle of an artist in a society obsessed with money and status," a film connoisseur wrote. Guru Dutt's direction, SD Burman's music and VK Murthy's black and white cinematography are hailed for their visual poetry, expressionist aesthetic (influenced by film noir), and masterful use of chiaroscuro lighting and shadows to enhance the narrative and emotional impact.
Dev Anand's Guide "dared to depict themes like a married woman leaving her husband for another man and living together outside the sanctity of marriage in 1960s Indian society, which was considered taboo". As a popular critic once wrote, "the film explores complex human relationships and moral ambiguities". SD Burman's soundtrack for Guide is another masterpiece, with memorable melodies and soulful lyrics. The songs are beautifully integrated into the narrative and contribute significantly to the film's emotional depth and popularity.
