As Guru Dutt’s ‘Pyaasa’ nears its 69th anniversary, lead actresses Waheeda Rehman and Mala Sinha reflect on the cinematic masterpiece. Rehman shares how she surrendered to Dutt’s vision for her role as Gulabo, while Sinha discusses her initial hesitation and eventual embrace of the practical Meena, a character ahead of her time.

On February 19, 2026, Guru Dutt’s cinematic masterpiece Pyaasa completes 69 years since its release. What began as a moderate success in 1957 has since evolved into a global top 100 classic, celebrated for its haunting poetry and its unflinching look at a materialistic society. The film’s heart beats through its two powerful female leads, namely, Waheeda Rehman, the soulful streetwalker Gulabo, and Mala Sinha, the practical Meena who chooses security over love. The writer celebrated this anniversary with their first-hand accounts of how a film “isn’t just made, but simply happens.”

Waheeda Rehman on ‘Pyaasa’

Says Waheeda Rehman, who played the streetwalker with a heart of gold, “Aisi filmein banayi nahin jaati, bann jaati hain (such films are not made consciously). Nobody says, ‘Let’s make a classic.’ When Guru Dutt offered me ‘Pyaasa’, I wasn’t sure I could pull it off. The behaviour, body language and attitude of a streetwalker were alien to me. I didn’t think I could do it. But Guru Duttji was confident. ‘You leave it to me.’ I surrendered to his vision. I did exactly what he asked me. All those expressions in the song Jaane kya main suni are the director’s. Maine toh wahi kiya jo mujhe kaha gaya.”

Mala Sinha on ‘Pyaasa’

Mala Sinha, who played the protagonist Vijay’s girlfriend who dumps him for a more successful man, says she was warned against doing the role. “I was told to stay away. They said it was a vampish role. Ladki pyar paise ke liye gawa deti hai. The girl sacrifices love for financial security. But I eventually said yes for two reasons. Firstly, who says no to Guru Dutt? Secondly, I sensed that the character was thinking practically. She was ahead of her times. Many of my roles were seen as too progressive for their times. When I did ‘Dhool Ka Phool’, I was told my career was over for playing an unwed mother. Later Sharmila Tagore played the unwed mother in Aradhana (the role was first offered to me). Then later Preity Zinta also played an unwed mother in some film (‘Kya Kehnaa’). As for ‘Pyaasa,’ it is one of my most favourite films and characters. The other female protagonist (Waheeda Rehman) got all the sympathy. But I think I pulled off a tough part without seeming a shrew.”As ‘Pyaasa’ enters its 70th year, it remains a haunting reminder that while the world may often ignore the poet, Guru Dutt’s vision and the brilliant women who brought it to life, will never be forgotten.