Kaagaz Ke Phool
| Kaagaz Ke Phool | |
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| Directed by | Guru Dutt |
| Written by | Abrar Alvi |
| Starring | Waheeda Rehman Guru Dutt Baby Naaz Mahmood Johnny Walker |
| Music by | S. D. Burman |
| Cinematography | V.K. Murthy |
| Editing by | Y.G. Chawhan |
| Release date(s) | 2nd January, 1959 |
| Running time | 148 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
Kaagaz Ke Phool, (Hindi: कागज़ के फूल; translit. Kāgaz kē Phūl), is a 1959 (2nd January) Hindi film produced and directed by Guru Dutt, who also played the lead role in the film .
The film was a box office disaster in its time but was later resurrected as a world cinema cult classic in the 1980s. The film's music was composed by S. D. Burman and the lyrics were written by Kaifi Azmi, giving hits like "Waqt ne Kiya Kya Haseen Situm", sung by Geeta Dutt.
In the 2002 Sight & Sound critics' and directors' poll, Kaagaz Ke Phool was ranked at #160 among the greatest films of all time.[1]
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[edit] Plot
The film tells, in flashback, the story of Suresh Sinha (Guru Dutt), a famous film director. His marriage to Bina (Veena) is on the rocks because her wealthy family sees filmmaking as a job lacking in social status. He is also denied access to his daughter Pammi (Naaz) who is sent to a private boarding school.
On a rainy night Sinha meets a woman Shanti (Waheeda Rehman) and gives her his coat. She comes to the film studio to return the coat, unintentionally disrupting the shooting by walking in front of the camera. While reviewing the rushes, Sinha recognises her potential as a star in the making and casts her as Paro in Devdas. Shanti goes on to become an acclaimed star. Shanti and Suresh, two lonely people, come together. Their liaison is hotly debated in gossip columns and results in Pammi's friends tormenting her in school. Pammi pleads with Shanti to leave Sinha's life and allow her parent’s marriage another chance. Moved by Pammi’s plea Shanti throws away her career and becomes a school teacher in a small village. Shanti’s departure drives Suresh to alcohol, a downhill slide in his career and consequent decline in his fortunes. Shanti is forced to return to films since she has a contract with the studio. Eventually he gets a chance to make a comeback film only if it stars Shanti; but by then she is unable to help him, as he is too far-gone for redemption. In the final scene, Sinha, remembering his glorious past, dies in the empty film studio in the director's chair, a lonely and forgotten man.
[edit] Plot Inspiration
Many claim that the film is semi-autobiographical and that Guru Dutt portrayed his angst in the movie. At the time of production of the film, Guru Dutt's marriage to Geeta Dutt was under strain due to his liking for Waheeda Rehman. This was openly known causing Guru Dutt's personal life to resemble that of the protagonist in the movie. However, the forecast of his own (Guru Dutt's) death, to parallel the sad and imminent death of the protagonist in the film, is debatable.
Another explanation for the inspiration is Guru Dutt's association with Gyan Mukherjee, the famous 1940s director whose Kismet (1943) had made him into a household name. The life and subsequent failures of Mukherjee, whom Guru Dutt had joined in 1950, influenced him deeply. Many think that Kaghaz ke Phool was based on Gyan Mukherjee's life and failures,[2] as Guru Dutt's previous film Pyaasa had been dedicated to him.
[edit] Cast
- Waheeda Rehman - Shanti
- Guru Dutt- Suresh Sinha
- Kumari Naaz (Baby Naaz) - Pramila 'Pammi' Sinha
- Johnny Walker - Rocky ("Suresh Sinha's" brother-in-law)
- Mahesh Kaul - Rai Bahadur B.P. Verma ("Suresh Sinha's" Father-in-law)
- Veena (Veena Sapru) - Bina (wife of Suresh Sinha)
- Minoo Mumtaz - Veterinarian
- Nilofer
- Ruby Myers (as Sulochna Devi)
- Sheila Vaz
- Vikram Kapoor
- Mehmood
- Mohan Choti
- Munshi Muqqa
- Haroon
- V. Ratra
- Tony Walker
- Ratna
- TunTun - Telephone Operator
- Pratima Devi - Mrs. Varma(Rai Bahadur's girlfriend)
[edit] Production credits
- M.R. Acharekar - Art Direction
- Bhanu Athaiya - Costume Design
[edit] Awards
- Filmfare Best Cinematographer Award - V.K. Murthy
- Filmfare Best Art Direction Award - M.R. Acharekar[3]
[edit] Soundtrack
- Dekhi Zamane Ki Yaari - Mohammad Rafi
- Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Haseen Sitam -Geeta Dutt
- San San Woh Chali Haawa - Mohammad Rafi, Asha Bhosle
- Hum Tum Jise Kehta Hain - Mohammad Rafi
- Ek Do Teen Chaar aur Paanch - Geeta Dutt
- Ulte Seedhe Dao lagaye - Mohammad Rafi, Asha Bhosle
[edit] Commemorative DVD
Yash Raj Films released a commemorative DVD of the movie. Included in the special features is a three-part documentary produced by Channel 4 (U.K) on life and works of Guru Dutt. His close associates and some of his family members remember him, his life and work. Also included in special feature is tribute to Geeta Dutt by Lata, where she sings "Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Haseen Sitam".
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Kaagaz Ke Phool at the Internet Movie Database
- Kaagaz Ke Phool at AllRovi
- Waqt Ne Kiya - Geeta Dutt
- Opening sequence of Guru Dutt's film Kaagaz Ke Phool, Paper Flowers, 1959
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