Original poster artwork · Great Cinema Master List
Spoiler-free premise
Vijay, a destitute poet, searches for true love while attempting to get his work published.
Read expanded premiseLonger, still spoiler-free+
Idealistic Calcutta poet Vijay is dismissed by publishers and family while former love Meena marries wealthy editor Ghosh. Sex worker Gulabo discovers and values Vijay's discarded poems, becoming his strongest advocate in a culture equating worth with success.
Why it belongs
Guru Dutt makes the rejected poet's world lyrical through shadow, song, social satire, and Waheeda Rehman's Gulabo recognizing value others commodify.
Read expanded why it belongsThe fuller editorial case+
Guru Dutt's weary Vijay resists the celebrity made from suffering. Discarded pages, printing presses, street lamps, crowded halls, Sahir Ludhianvi's lyrics, and S. D. Burman's music give poetry the force of public accusation.
Major award wins
No verified wins in this six-institution crosswalk.
Awards are reference metadata only · zero points in 40/40/20
Good for
Film Club
Descriptive guidance derived from rating, genre, runtime, mood, and GCML scores.
Institutional reference ranks
Sight & Sound185IMDb Top 250—AFI 100—
Reference metadata only · not part of the 40/40/20 score
Great Cinema Master List scores
Greatness9.0
Engagement6.9
Ease5.7
Hindi · Not Rated Narrative Feature Mood: Reflective & Challenging
