Abrar Alvi

Template:Unreliable sources Template:Infobox person Abrar Alvi (1927 – 18 November 2009) was an Indian film writer, director and actor. Most of his notable works are from the 1950s, 1960s done with Guru Dutt. He wrote some of the most respected works of Indian cinema, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, Kaagaz Ke Phool, and Pyaasa which have an avid following world over. Pyaasa is included in the All-Time 100 Movies by Time magazine, as chosen by Times movie critics Richard Corliss and Richard Schickel.^[1]

Works[edit | edit source]

An integral part of the Guru Dutt team, he is noted for writing such films as Aar-Paar, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Pyaasa, & Mr. & Mrs. '55. It was a chance meeting with Guru Dutt on sets of Baaz in 1953. Guru Dutt was having problems with a scene on the movie and Abrar suggested his opinion. Guru Dutt was so impressed that he invited Abrar to write Aar-Paar, from where Abrar became integral part of the Guru Dutt team. Many of the movies he worked on for Guru Dutt have since become classics not only in India but world over. He also directed the box-office hit Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam. He last appeared on a poignant three part documentary on Guru Dutt reminiscing his work and days with the Guru Dutt team. The documentary is produced by Channel 4 and is included in the extra features section of Kaagaz Ke Phool DVD. Post Guru Dutt and due to controversy of who actually directed Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam he was unable to give any notable directorial work. Abrar, however continued to pen screenplay and dialogue for several movies, some of these hits such as Professor, Prince etc.

Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam controversy[edit | edit source]

Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam was important for Guru Dutt. Post the box-office disaster of Kaagaz Ke Phool, he lost almost 17 lacs on the movie which was a big amount then.^[2] Guru Dutt needed a success to put him back on map. The film went on to become a major box office success of the year. The film also won the President's Silver Medal and the 'Film of the Year' Award from the Bengal Film Journalist Association. The film was also screened at the Berlin Film Festival in June 1963 and was India's official entry to the Oscars that year.^[3]

The controversy about who actually directed Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam has increased over the years. Since the film is characteristic of Guru Dutt's feel and style, it is difficult to think that he did not direct the film. However Guru Dutt never denied Abrar Alvi's role in the film nor did he make any counter claims when Alvi won the Filmfare Award for Best Director for the film. Abrar Alvi has stated that Guru Dutt did direct the songs in the film, but not the film in its entirety. The editor of the Film Y.G. Chawan however says that for the film it was Abrar who sat with him. To quote him... Abrar worked so hard on that film but he never got any credit. People say it was produced by Guru Dutt so it had to be Guru Dutt's film.^[3]