Synopsis : Vijay (Guru Dutt) is an unsuccessful poet. His works are not considered seriously by publishers or his brothers, who even sell his poems as waste paper to a ragseller. His day begins with knocking on the doors of publishing houses or newspapers circulating his poems or ‘nazams’, in a hope that some day the world would want to read what he has to say. Unable to bear their taunting at him being a good for nothing, he stays away from home often out on the streets, sleeping on a park bench with his notebook or when he is lucky, manages to get shelter at a friend’s place. Vijay has left his home because of the ill treatment of his 2 elder brothers who refuse to support an useless poet. But his mother’s heart lies with Vijay, an honest soul who cares for one and all. He meets Gulabo (Waheeda Rehman), a prostitute on the streets is enamoured of his poetry which she had got from the rag-seller and falls in love with him. She uses these lyrics and songs to lure her customers. Vijay also meets his ex-girlfriend Meena (Mala Sinha) from college, who is married to a big publisher Mr. Ghosh (Rehman) for financial security. Mr. Ghosh hires him as a servant to find out more about Meena. Vijay had given his coat to a beggar, whom he tries to save unsuccessfully from the path of a running train is mistaken for Vijay. Gulabo approaches Ghosh and gets his poems published. Ghosh thought, he can exploit the poems and make a killing. But Vijay is alive and in hospital after the train mishap. Ghosh and Shyam, Vijay's close friend, refuse to recognize him and he is sent to a mental asylum since he insists he is Vijay and is taken to be mad. Vijay's brothers too are bought off by Ghosh not to identify him and a memorial is organized for the dead poet. Vijay with the help of his friend Abdul Sattar (Johnny Walker) escapes from the mental asylum and reaches the memorial service where he denounces this corrupt and materialistic world. Seeing that Vijay is alive, his friend and brothers take side with a rival publisher for more money and declare that, he is really Vijay. At a function to honour him, Vijay who was sick of all the hypocrisy in the world around him declares he is not Vijay and leaves with Gulabo to start a whole new life. Director: Guru Dutt Producer: Guru Dutt Music: S. D. Burman Main Cast: Guru Dutt, Mala Sinha, Waheeda Rehman, Johnny Walker... more Genre: Social Banner: Guru Dutt Films Release: 1957