Kaagaz Ke Phool

Kaagaz Ke Phool poster for sale.

Featured here is a rare original Bollywood poster of the cult Guru Dutt Hindi film, Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959).

This is an actual surviving vintage Bollywood poster of the 1959 romantic drama that featured one of the greatest filmmakers in Indian cinema, Guru Dutt in the lead role opposite one of the most successful actresses in Indian cinema, Waheeda Rehman.

Produced and directed by Guru Dutt himself, Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959) also starred Johnny Walker, Baby Naaz, Veena, Minoo Mumtaz, Mahesh Kaul, Pratima Devi, Ruby Myers (Sulochna Devi), Nilofer, Mehmood, Tony Walker, Mohan Choti, Pratima Devi and Tun Tun in supporting roles.

Written by Abrar Alvi, the film was ahead of it’s time in that it explored the travails of a creative filmmaker within the confines of an extra-marital relationship, it’s effects on children as well as child custody. Seen as an exaggerated story of troubles of the privileged and wealthy elite, it was rejected by the masses and became a box office failure during it’s initial release.

Guru Dutt, severely disappointed by the film’s failure, started to believe his name had become anathema to the box office. As such, all subsequent films from his studio were officially directed by other directors.

Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959) was the last film officially directed by Guru Dutt and is widely believed to be his autobiographical reflection. The film’s plot had uncanny similarities to his personal life. His rumored affair with protégé Waheeda Rehman while he was married to singer Geeta Dutt (who later left him) as well as his descent into alcoholism after being disillusioned with the film industry fueled this belief.

The film was ranked 160 in the list of greatest films of all time in the 2002 Sight & Sound poll. In 2019, British Film Institute declared Kaagaz Ke Phool as the Best Musical of 1959.

Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959) holds the distinction of being the first ever Indian film released in CinemaScope (made under license from 20th Century-Fox Corporation). A landmark in Indian cinema, it heralded a new era of technological reform in cinematography, making this Kaagaz Ke Phool poster, highly collectible!

Printed and circulated during a subsequent release run of the film in theaters (somewhere in the late 1960s), this vintage Bollywood poster was originally designed for publicity of the film but never ended up being used.

This Kaagaz Ke Phool poster was originally hand painted on canvas by a Bollywood poster design studio in Bombay. The signature of poster painter Manohar is seen on the bottom left.

A stunning illustration of the lead couple is depicted prominently in this original Bollywood poster. Guru Dutt is seen kissing the shoulder of actress Waheeda Rehman, who has her head tilted back, touching his forehead. Both have been captured with their eyes partially closed, underlining their dreamy romance and passion.

The actress has been illustrated with heavy make up in this Waheeda Rehman poster, true to her character of film star “Shanti” in Kaagaz Ke Phool. A smaller realistic hand painted portrait of comedian Johnny Walker is seen on the bottom left of this Guru Dutt poster.

Typography used in this Kaagaz Ke Phool poster is primarily in Devanagari Hindi, with a translation of the title appearing in English as well on the top along with a banner of CinemaScope.

Retro floral motifs are seen in the background of this old Bollywood poster, giving it a very vintage feel. Two red roses are seen intertwined on the top, signifying the romantic plot of the film.

This Guru Dutt poster capitalizes on the phenomenal success of the film’s soundtrack album. Lyrics of two hit songs from the film are seen written in wavy musical font, namely, “Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Haseen Sitam, Tum Rahe Na Tum, Hum Rahe Na Hum” (English translation: “Time Has Dealt Such a Beautiful Blow, You Are No Longer You, I Am No Longer Me”) and “Ud Ja Ud Ja Pyaase Bhanware, Ras Na Milega Kharon Mein” (English translation: “Fly Away Fly Away Thirsty Bee, You Won’t Get Honey in Barren Land”).

Kaagaz Ke Phool’s critical and commercial failure severely affected Guru Dutt and brought his studio to the verge of closure. However, it’s true value was recognized in the 1980s and the film was subsequently resurrected into a cult classic. Since then, it is part of film school syllabi and considered as one of the best self-reflexive films ever made in Indian cinema.

Music of Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959) was composed by maestro S.D. Burman, while lyrics were written by Kaifi Azmi. The song “Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Haseen Sitam, Tum Rahe Na Tum, Hum Rahe Na Hum” sung by Geeta Dutt has become a timeless classic, forever etched into history. The song is widely regarded as one of the finest ever made in Indian cinema.

Yash Raj Films released a commemorative DVD of the movie including a documentary produced by Channel 4 in the UK on the life and works of Guru Dutt, titled “In Search of Guru Dutt.”