By Vikas Yadav
Suresh Sinha (Guru Dutt) is a successful film director. His ecstatic fans surround him for an autograph, and the camera films their faces with a sliding motion, hinting that this obsession is unstable and fugacious. Indeed, this glittery stardom yields zero personal merriment. Suresh is separated from his wife and daughter (the latter is forced to live with the former). His commodious dwelling is occupied by dark shadows and forlorn winds. When he enters his house, he gets lost in the gloom. This star has not shined in years. At least not for himself, just for the others.
The public views celebrities as armored gods. To the common eyes, money plus fame equals jubilation. We think only smiles and laughter remain inside the glowing, luxurious apartments. We forget that even our favorite superstar is nothing but a normal human being. He cries, he bleeds, he dies, just like everyone else. Sadness is also a part of their life. I mean, look at Suresh. He has many fans and a shitload of money, making him powerful in status. Yet, he is unable to fight for the custody of his daughter. He is unable to permanently hold on to his love. And when he cannot even hold on to his talents, his whole world comes apart.
Kaagaz Ke Phool announces itself to be a tragedy in the opening itself. An old Suresh roams around the studio where he had spent his life making movies. His appearance suggests that the time has not been kind to him. The rest of the movie reveals exactly what happened to him. How this star fell from the sky and crashed into the gutter. It’s no coincidence that we see him preparing to shoot for Devdas – a story filled with adversities. Suresh finds his Paro in the form of Shanti (Waheeda Rehman). And like Devdas‘ protagonist, he loses her and takes up alcohol. Why, even the title itself informs us that this will not be a pleasant, happy ending type of movie! Kaagaz Ke Phool means Paper Flowers. The lovely posies, alas, are artificial. They look like flowers but do not emit their smell. Similarly, movie stars look like stars but do not always twinkle.
Kaagaz Ke Phool was the first Indian movie to be shot in CinemaScope. You are continuously lost in its majestic glory. Over the years, the plot might fade away from your memory, but you would be able to recall some shots from it. Like the one in the morning where the characters appear from and disappear behind the fog. Or something as simple as the sight of Suresh sitting in the studio in the dark. These images burn in your memory and refuse to be overwritten.
When Suresh plummets in loneliness, he delivers flops. The studio replaces him, the fans abuse him, and his financial condition worsens. Soon, he starts to live like a beggar. This entire segment sends a harsh reminder that no matter how much you love your job, it won’t reciprocate your feelings with the same intensity. Eventually, the brightness fades, and you get lost in time. But the show goes on.
Baradwaj Rangan 
Sasidhar Palagummi
January 27, 2022
Memories of Kagaz ke phool invariably takes one to remember Pyaasa….an all time classic by Guru Dutt. Pyaasa has a strong story line brings out human emotions: greed, love and hatred very effectively. The economic disparity, plagiarism, sibling rivalry…all presented deftly in the film. The superlative compositions by S D. Burman with its very sensitive lyrics by Sahir made the film a masterpiece. Pyaasa is a great blend of efforts several creative artists!
Kagaz ke Phool on the contrary is more for the elite audience. It is a film cut out for entry into any international film festivals considering its technical excellence in direction, photography and music. Burman proved his class yet again. The classic ‘Waqt ne kiya kya hasin sitam’ sung by Gita Dutt will haunt every music lover. This song’s picturisation is truly a highlight in the film. The lyrics by Kaifi Azmi touch your heart and conscience. The entire song flows so mellifluously without a conventional percussion instrument! Hats off to Burman’s masterly composition. ‘Bichde sabhi baari baari’ composition is another classic from the film. A soulful number seamlessly takes us to a crescendo similar to any Beethoven Symphonies. Rafi’s repertoire is in complete display!
What a film !!
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Jeeva+Pitchaimani
January 27, 2022
Vikas,
I am also one of the few who decided to watch Kaagaz Ke Phool recently. There is so much hype around the film right now and being a non-Hindi speaker and knowing nothing about B/W Bollywood, I decided to give it a try. As you have mentioned the film ‘looked’ magnificent. But apart from that, I was disappointed to note that it did not ‘feel’ magnificent. I could see why it was such a big hit then and the songs were good too. Also because I was blown away by Pyaasa which was fantastic when I saw in 2015, I felt let down by Kaagaz. But anyway the cinematography and its quality were nothing short of outstanding. Sometimes I felt like I was watching an Orson Welles movie.
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Aman Basha
January 27, 2022
@Jeeva: Kaagaz Ke Phool was such a huge flop that Guru Dutt stopped directing and never really recovered from the grief. It later went on to be anointed a classic after his death and did quite well in re-runs.
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MANK
January 27, 2022
Kaagaz ke Phool was inspired by Citizen Kane. It’s very evident in its photography and the flashback narrative structure chronicling the rise and fall of a celebrity. It was one f those career ending flops that’s still regarded as a cautionary tale for over ambitious auteurs
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Anu Warrier
January 27, 2022
Kaagaz ke Phool was an ode to misery, and a drag as a film. As a friend rightly pointed out, anyone wallowing in such self-pity on the job would have been kicked out soon enough. What’s worse, one found it hard to even connect to the protagonist, let alone sympathise with him. The only saving graces were the songs and the cinematography. Both Murthy (cinematographer) and Waheeda tried to warn him about the film dragging, but Dutt wouldn’t listen.
It is not a classic (IMO) – it’s pretty much unwatchable other than as random scenes/song sequences.
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