Abrar Alvi - As Director | Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam and Fullstop | Statesmen

You remember Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam ? Any idea who directed it. I asked few cine-buffs about it and the random answer was Guru Dutt… Well, I am a Guru Dutt fan and I would love to say Yes, but no. It was directed by a fine film writer who is credited with works like… Mr. & Mrs. 55, Pyaasa, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Chaudhvin Ka Chand,  Professor… Yes, I am talking about Abrar Alvi.

Abrar Alvi impressed Guru Dutt on sets of Baaz with his deep insight of storytelling. Recognizing his talent, Guru Dutt asked him to join in for Aar Paar and its subsequent success stamped his talent. When a very impressive Kaagaz Ke Phool failed to impress public; Guru Dutt came under heavy debts. He needed a big movie to help him stand. At this point, Alvi rose to the accession and directed Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam. It was a big blockbuster…

Success is mother of controversies. Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam had the distinct signature of Guru Dutt and the general opinion was that Guru Dutt ghost-directed it. Many people still believe it and many crew-members had dropped hints indicating that though Alvi directed the movie; there was larger than just an actor involvement on Guru Dutt’s part. Something people usually say about Aamir Khan as well… Interestingly, the editor of movie maintained that it was out and out Alvi’s genius that made Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam such an epic.

Alvi never directed another movie. He is perhaps the only who got Filmfare for his debut and sole movie. He never got the credit for his work and maybe that had a major impact on his decision to stay away from director’s seat. Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam is one of the movies that cannot be remade again. Let’s raise a toast in name of the director of the movie… Abrar Alvi.

Written By: Sujoy Ghosh