Set in Calcutta, the film tells the story of Vijay (played by Dutt), a disillusioned Urdu poet whose works are underestimated by publishers and criticized for focusing on social issues rather than romantic themes.

The narrative follows Vijay's encounters with Gulabo (Waheeda Rehman), a kind-hearted prostitute, and Meena (Sinha), his former girlfriend.

Unable to endure their mockery, Vijay leaves home and discovers that his brothers have sold his poems.

With the help of his friend Abdul Sattar, Vijay escapes from the asylum and arrives at the memorial service, where he condemns the corrupt and materialistic world.

It is also surmised that the story is based on the life of the film's lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi who had a failed affair with poet and writer Amrita Pritam.

Abrar wanted the protagonist to accept and compromise with the prevailing material social reality; Guru Dutt insisted otherwise.

According to Alvi "As I left, she thanked me in a broken voice, saying that it was the first time that she had been treated with respect, in a place where she heard only abuses.

Pyaasa was to be made with actresses Nargis Dutt and Madhubala in the roles Mala Sinha and Waheeda Rehman played eventually.

[18] Guru Dutt wanted to film red light area scenes on locations in Calcutta (now Kolkata), but the crew was attacked by a group of pimps.

Burman, Sahir Ludhianvi, Geeta Dutt and Mohammed Rafi to produce one of the most lyrical Hindi musicals.

[21] The popular song "Hum Aapki Aankhon Mein" was added to the movie on behest of distributors to bring some relief in rather pessimistic film.

He later recreated it so well that when the producer of Harry Black and the Tiger visited India, he heard the song and not only failed to recognise the tune, but applauded him on it.

After several clean-ups, they managed to retrieve the actual content from the original camera negative, but it lacked clarity and depth.

It is one of the most revered and respected films in India and remains a popular favourite among cinephiles and filmmakers of Hindi Cinema.

At the time of its release, the theme of the film was unconventional and hence wasn't widely admired by critics and its acceptance by audience was doubted.

Even though the film had an unconventional theme and no major actor or actress at the time it was made, Pyaasa managed to be the third highest grosser of the year.

[39] The film received international acclaim in the 1980s when it was first released in Europe, subsequently becoming a big commercial success there, long after Guru Dutt died and is now considered a "seminal landmark" in the history of Indian cinema.

In 2002, Pyaasa was ranked among Top 160 on the Sight & Sound critics' and directors' poll of all-time greatest films.

Guru Dutt's melodramatic Pyaasa or 'The desirous one' is 'extraordinary', a film that draws on all the features of a mainstream movie to achieve a high aesthetic, from the beautiful photography of the Christ-like tormented poet, the beauty of the streetgirl (Waheeda Rehman) and the wonderful music with some of the great Sahir Ludhianvi's best lyrics.

"[58] In 2019, the British Film Institute named it the 'Greatest Musical of 1957', stating, "Until his tragic overdose in 1964, its director-producer-star Guru Dutt was one of Indian cinema's boldest talents and Pyaasa is his masterpiece.

[2] The song "Ye Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaye" was re-used in the 2022 film Chup: Revenge of the Artist.