Drama, musical, by Guru Dutt, India, 1957
Thirsty is the heartbreaking story of Vijay, a young poet living in Calcutta who dreams of giving voice to the suffering and injustice of the world through his verses. Idealistic and sensitive, Vijay clashes with a society that despises his art because it is not profitable and does not cater to the tastes of the public. His brothers consider him a failure, the woman he loves leaves him for a marriage of convenience, and his poems are ignored by publishers. Only Gulabo, a prostitute with a pure heart, recognizes the beauty and truth of his words. When a misunderstanding leads everyone to believe Vijay is dead, his name and poetry suddenly become famous, exposing the hypocrisy of those who had previously rejected him.

Watching Thirsty means immersing oneself in a work that goes beyond melodrama, blending poetry, music, and imagery into a profound reflection on the human soul and the value of art. Guru Dutt, director and protagonist, creates one of the most intense and poetic films in world cinema, where black-and-white cinematography, expressive framing, and evocative lyrics produce an atmosphere of poignant melancholy. It is a film about the misunderstanding of the artist, pure love, and society’s hypocrisy, but also a universal critique of materialism and opportunism. Even today, Thirsty moves and provokes thought because it sincerely tells the story of the need to remain true to oneself in a world that measures people’s worth solely by their success.

LANGUAGE: Hindi
SUBTITLES: English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese