Abrar Alvi
Encyclopedia
Abrar Alvi 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.
, 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 or written work.
Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam
was important for Guru Dutt
. Post box-office disaster of Kaagaz Ke Phool
, He lost almost 17 lacs on the movie a big amount then http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/mar/04dinesh.htm. 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 http://www.upperstall.com/films/sbg.html.
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.http://www.upperstall.com/films/sbg.html
Abrar Alvi died due to a stomach complication on Wednesday, 18 November 2009 in Mumbai. He was 82 years old.
Guru Dutt
Vasanth Kumar Shivashankar Padukone , popularly known as Guru Dutt, was an Indian film director, producer and actor. He is often credited with ushering in the golden era of Hindi cinema...
. He wrote some of the most respected works of Indian cinema, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam
Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam
Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam is a 1962 Indian Hindi film produced by Guru Dutt and directed by Abrar Alvi. It is based on a Bengali novel, Shaheb Bibi Golam by Bimal Mitra, and is a look into the tragic fall of the haveli-dom and feudalism in Bengal during the British Raj...
, Kaagaz Ke Phool
Kaagaz Ke Phool
Kaagaz Ke Phool, , is a 1959 Hindi film produced and directed by Guru Dutt, who also played the lead role in the film .The film was a box office disaster of its time but was later resurrected as a world cinema cult classic in the 1980s. The film's music was composed by S. D...
, and Pyaasa
Pyaasa
Pyaasa is a 1957 Indian film produced and directed by Guru Dutt. The film tells the story of struggling poet, Vijay , trying to make his works known in post-independence India...
which have an avid following world over. Pyaasa
Pyaasa
Pyaasa is a 1957 Indian film produced and directed by Guru Dutt. The film tells the story of struggling poet, Vijay , trying to make his works known in post-independence India...
is included in the All-Time 100 Movies by Time magazine, as chosen by Times movie critics Richard Corliss and Richard Schickel.
Works
An integral part of the Guru Dutt teamGuru Dutt team
The Guru Dutt team is a group of people Guru Dutt created for some of his finest works. The death of Guru Dutt cut short more works. What the team created is considered to forever have left its mark on Indian cinema as well as world cinema.-About:...
, he is noted for writing such films as Aar-Paar, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam
Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam
Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam is a 1962 Indian Hindi film produced by Guru Dutt and directed by Abrar Alvi. It is based on a Bengali novel, Shaheb Bibi Golam by Bimal Mitra, and is a look into the tragic fall of the haveli-dom and feudalism in Bengal during the British Raj...
, Kaagaz Ke Phool
Kaagaz Ke Phool
Kaagaz Ke Phool, , is a 1959 Hindi film produced and directed by Guru Dutt, who also played the lead role in the film .The film was a box office disaster of its time but was later resurrected as a world cinema cult classic in the 1980s. The film's music was composed by S. D...
, Pyaasa
Pyaasa
Pyaasa is a 1957 Indian film produced and directed by Guru Dutt. The film tells the story of struggling poet, Vijay , trying to make his works known in post-independence India...
, & Mr. & Mrs. '55
Mr. & Mrs. '55
Mr. & Mrs. '55 is a 1955 Bollywood film by director Guru Dutt. Guru Dutt stars alongside Madhubala, supported by Lalita Pawar, Johnny Walker and Jagdeep in this socially critical romantic comedy set in contemporary Bombay. The films music is by O. P...
. It was a chance meeting with Guru Dutt on sets of Baaz
Baaz
Baaz is an Hindi film released in 1953, directed by Guru Dutt. This film is Guru Dutt's first starring film, an action film packed with adventure staged mainly on a ship.-Plot:The 16th century, the Malabar Coast...
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
Guru Dutt team
The Guru Dutt team is a group of people Guru Dutt created for some of his finest works. The death of Guru Dutt cut short more works. What the team created is considered to forever have left its mark on Indian cinema as well as world cinema.-About:...
. 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
Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam
Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam is a 1962 Indian Hindi film produced by Guru Dutt and directed by Abrar Alvi. It is based on a Bengali novel, Shaheb Bibi Golam by Bimal Mitra, and is a look into the tragic fall of the haveli-dom and feudalism in Bengal during the British Raj...
. He last appeared on a poignant three part documentary on Guru Dutt
Guru Dutt
Vasanth Kumar Shivashankar Padukone , popularly known as Guru Dutt, was an Indian film director, producer and actor. He is often credited with ushering in the golden era of Hindi cinema...
reminiscing his work and days with the Guru Dutt team
Guru Dutt team
The Guru Dutt team is a group of people Guru Dutt created for some of his finest works. The death of Guru Dutt cut short more works. What the team created is considered to forever have left its mark on Indian cinema as well as world cinema.-About:...
. The documentary is produced by Channel 4 and is included in the extra features section of Kaagaz Ke Phool
Kaagaz Ke Phool
Kaagaz Ke Phool, , is a 1959 Hindi film produced and directed by Guru Dutt, who also played the lead role in the film .The film was a box office disaster of its time but was later resurrected as a world cinema cult classic in the 1980s. The film's music was composed by S. D...
DVD. Post Guru Dutt
Guru Dutt
Vasanth Kumar Shivashankar Padukone , popularly known as Guru Dutt, was an Indian film director, producer and actor. He is often credited with ushering in the golden era of Hindi cinema...
and due to controversy of who actually directed Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam
Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam
Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam is a 1962 Indian Hindi film produced by Guru Dutt and directed by Abrar Alvi. It is based on a Bengali novel, Shaheb Bibi Golam by Bimal Mitra, and is a look into the tragic fall of the haveli-dom and feudalism in Bengal during the British Raj...
he was unable to give any notable directorial or written work.
Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam controversy
Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam
Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam is a 1962 Indian Hindi film produced by Guru Dutt and directed by Abrar Alvi. It is based on a Bengali novel, Shaheb Bibi Golam by Bimal Mitra, and is a look into the tragic fall of the haveli-dom and feudalism in Bengal during the British Raj...
was important for Guru Dutt
Guru Dutt
Vasanth Kumar Shivashankar Padukone , popularly known as Guru Dutt, was an Indian film director, producer and actor. He is often credited with ushering in the golden era of Hindi cinema...
. Post box-office disaster of Kaagaz Ke Phool
Kaagaz Ke Phool
Kaagaz Ke Phool, , is a 1959 Hindi film produced and directed by Guru Dutt, who also played the lead role in the film .The film was a box office disaster of its time but was later resurrected as a world cinema cult classic in the 1980s. The film's music was composed by S. D...
, He lost almost 17 lacs on the movie a big amount then http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/mar/04dinesh.htm. 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 http://www.upperstall.com/films/sbg.html.
The controversy about who actually directed Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam
Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam
Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam is a 1962 Indian Hindi film produced by Guru Dutt and directed by Abrar Alvi. It is based on a Bengali novel, Shaheb Bibi Golam by Bimal Mitra, and is a look into the tragic fall of the haveli-dom and feudalism in Bengal during the British Raj...
has increased over the years. Since the film is characteristic of Guru Dutt's
Guru Dutt
Vasanth Kumar Shivashankar Padukone , popularly known as Guru Dutt, was an Indian film director, producer and actor. He is often credited with ushering in the golden era of Hindi cinema...
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.http://www.upperstall.com/films/sbg.html
Death
Writer
- GudduGudduGuddu is a 1995 Bollywood romance film written by Abrar Alvi and directed by Prem Lalwani. The movie stars Shahrukh Khan, Manisha Koirala, Deepti Naval, Mukesh Khanna and Mehmood. Its music was composed by Naushad.- Story :...
(1995) (dialogue) (screenplay) - Kasam Suhaag Ki (1989) (dialogue)
- Patthar Dil (1985) (dialogue) (screenplay)
- Khuda Kasam (1981) (dialogue) (screenplay)
- Biwi-O-Biwi: The Fun-Film (1981) (dialogue)
- Hamare TumhareHamare TumhareHamare Tumhare is a 1979 Hindi movie produced by F. C. Mehra and directed by Umesh Mehra. The film stars Sanjeev Kumar, Rakhee, Amjad Khan, Prem Krishen, David, Mehmood, Asrani, Anil Kapoor, Lucky Ali, and Amrish Puri. The films music is by R. D. Burman....
(1979) (dialogue) (screenplay) - Sabse Bada Rupaiya (1976) (dialogues) (screenplay)
- BairaagBairaagBairaag is a 1976 Bollywood film. Produced by the duo Mushir- Riaz, it is directed by Asit Sen. The film stars Dilip Kumar, who received a Filmfare nomination as Best Actor for playing a triple role, Saira Banu, Leena Chandavarkar, Ruma Guha Thakurta, Prem Chopra, Helen, Sujit Kumar, Madan Puri, ...
(1976) (dialogue) - Laila MajnuLaila MajnuLaila Majnu is a 1976 Hindi movie based on the legendary story of Layla and Majnun. This film version is directed by Harnam Singh Rawail and stars Rishi Kapoor, Ranjeeta, Danny Denzongpa, Aruna Irani, Asrani, Iftekhar, Tom Alter and Ranjeet...
(1976) (dialogue) - ManoranjanManoranjanManoranjan is a 1974 Indian Hindi film directed by Shammi Kapoor. It is a remake of Irma La Douce. Sanjeev Kumar plays Jack Lemmon's role, Zeenat Aman Shirley MacLaine's and Shammi Kapoor plays Lou Jacobi's. Hotel Casanova is called Hotel Mauj!...
(1974) (written by) - Saathi (1968) (dialogue)
- SunghurshSunghurshSunghursh is a 1968 Hindi movie directed by Harnam Singh Rawail. It was based on a story by Jnanpith Award winner, Mahasweta Devi, which presents a fictionalized account of vendetta within a Thuggee cult in the holy Indian town of Varanasi....
(1968) (dialogue) - Chhotisi Mulaqat (1967) (dialogue)
- SurajSurajSuraj is a 1966 swashbuckler Ruritanian romance Hindi film produced by S. Krishnamurthy and directed by T. Prakash Rao. The film stars Vyjayanthimala and Rajendra Kumar in the lead with Ajit, Mumtaz, Johnny Walker, Johnny Walker, Bharathi Vishnuvardhan, Lalita Pawar and Neetu Singh forms an...
(1966) (dialogue) - Baharen Phir Bhi AayengiBaharen Phir Bhi AayengiBaharen Phir Bhi Aayengi is a 1966 Hindi-language film. Produced by Guru Dutt and directed by Shaheed Latif. It stars Mala Sinha, Dharmendra, Tanuja, and Rehman. The film is still remembered for its music is by O.P...
(1966) (written by) - Professor (1962) (dialogue) (screenplay)
- Sahib Bibi Aur GhulamSahib Bibi Aur GhulamSahib Bibi Aur Ghulam is a 1962 Indian Hindi film produced by Guru Dutt and directed by Abrar Alvi. It is based on a Bengali novel, Shaheb Bibi Golam by Bimal Mitra, and is a look into the tragic fall of the haveli-dom and feudalism in Bengal during the British Raj...
(1962) (dialogue) - Chaudhvin Ka ChandChaudhvin Ka ChandChaudhvin Ka Chand is a 1960 Hindi feature film directed by Mohammed Sadiq. A production of Guru Dutt, the film centers on a love triangle between Guru Dutt, Rehman and Waheeda Rehman, and features music by Ravi. Farida Jalal is a guest appearance in the film, her debut...
(1960) - Kaagaz Ke PhoolKaagaz Ke PhoolKaagaz Ke Phool, , is a 1959 Hindi film produced and directed by Guru Dutt, who also played the lead role in the film .The film was a box office disaster of its time but was later resurrected as a world cinema cult classic in the 1980s. The film's music was composed by S. D...
(1959) (dialogue) (screenplay) - PyaasaPyaasaPyaasa is a 1957 Indian film produced and directed by Guru Dutt. The film tells the story of struggling poet, Vijay , trying to make his works known in post-independence India...
(1957) (dialogue) - Mr. & Mrs. '55Mr. & Mrs. '55Mr. & Mrs. '55 is a 1955 Bollywood film by director Guru Dutt. Guru Dutt stars alongside Madhubala, supported by Lalita Pawar, Johnny Walker and Jagdeep in this socially critical romantic comedy set in contemporary Bombay. The films music is by O. P...
(1955) (dialogue) - Aar-Paar (1954) (dialogue)
Further reading
- Ten Years with Guru Dutt: Abrar Alvi's journey, by Sathya Saran. 2008, Penguin, ISBN 0-670-08221-X.