Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam

Guru Dutt's 'Sahib Bibi aur Ghulam' remains one of the most accomplished pieces of art in Indian cinema. No wonder why it is referred to as Indian cinema at its best. Starting with the technological aspect, I was amazed by the excellent cinematography. The movement of the camera that guides us to the world of the characters, to their minds, to their emotions and to their fate. The way the camera focuses on Choti Bahu's sad eyes or the way it zooms towards Jabba's face while she cheerfully sings, demonstrates the importance of characters' non-verbal language.

Likewise direction is top-notch. Not a moment is wasted on trivial subplots. Everything in the movie seem to fit like a jigsaw puzzle, whether it's the songs, the haunting background score, the sets, the emotions portrayed by the actors, the performances etc.

Performances are first class. We see Guru Dutt as the young (and middle-aged) and naive Bhootnath. He beautifully brings both comedy and intensity to his character communicating mostly with his expressive eyes. His relationship with the tragic Choti Bahu and the simple but headstrong Jabba is superbly portrayed through a wonderful chemistry between the actors. Meena Kumari gives one of her finest performances as the doomed Choti Bahu. Her scenes with Bhootnath and one particular scene with Rehman (just before she drinks alcohol for the first time) is mind blowing. Waheeda Rehman, being one of the finest actresses, brings grace and equally makes her presence felt in a comparably smaller but noteworthy role. Rehman as Chote Babu is brilliant.

'Sahib Bibi aur Ghulam is about love, fear, jealousy, anger, greed, addiction, lust, ignorance, despair, sadness and redemption. Many of the movie is set during the British Raj. We see most of the events through Bhootnath's eyes. He falls for the vivacious and lovely Jabba. However, when he meets Choti Bahu, he's amazed by her beauty and they too develop a loving relationship. We are hinted that he blames himself for Choti Bahu's fate and yet he sees tries to forgive himself.

What was it about alcohol that Choti Bahu got attached to? All she craved for her husband's love but even when he requests her to leave alcohol, she can't. We see her offering herself as a prostitute so that Chote Babu won't leave for the brothel. Did she feel in some way grateful to alcohol that she had her husband back? Was it the alcohol itself? Was it a whole other state of mind that had nothing to do with her surroundings? Whatever it was, it destroyed her.

However, she the one person she always relied on was Bhootnath and whenever he'd appear, she had a smile on her face except that one time when she's about to make that request that would change her life. Bhootnath, the only person she confided in, was the last we see her with.

We also see a jealous Jabba who is afraid that Bhootnath is slipping away. After all, who is this Choti Bahu that seems to intrigue him so much? She hopes that Bhootnath might express his love but fears that the love is for a mysterious Choti Bahu.

In a sentence, I'd say go watch this movie otherwise you would never know what you've missed.

Surely a Masterpiece and the Greatest classic in Indian film history with 'Sholay' taking the next rung in this list. Great story, absolutely no holes in the story(very hard to find in the current genre) and perhaps the greatest female acting ever portrayed on the Indian screen, and I am talking about Meena kumari. The scene that really takes off is the part where she charges back at her husband when he calls her 'mad' and scoffs her desire to have children. That scene , every time I see just leaves me shaken and I wonder how can someone put up such an intense performance like that in front of spotboys, cameramen, assistants and other such 20 people, staring at you,huddled in one room, mind blowing stuff..!! Should have been the Oscar nominee for the best foreign film of that year...if the system still existed in India at that time. No other movie, except 'Sholay' comes close to this ever green untouchable.

For years, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam has been known as an inalienable asset in the history of the Hindi film industry, and not without a reason. The movie fully deserves to be called a timeless classic and its story is relevant and fascinating even today, almost half a century after its release. It is an artistic and intriguing presentation of the nature of passion and desire. Guru Dutt was a master of his craft. Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam is excellent in story, writing, execution and acting. The music is sublime, the sets are fantastic, and the movie exemplifies what true cinematographic excellence of those times was. It is shot beautifully, with a background score that enlightens the film's melancholic mood. The film is quiet, focused and balanced, and has a very subtle feel to it thanks to all these aspects. Abrar Alvi's direction is superb - he captures the atmosphere of those times with great skill, his script is marvelous, and many of his rich dialogues remain memorable even today and are often cited by lovers of Hindi cinema.

All said and done, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam wouldn't have been what it is if not for the transcendent performance of the divine Meena Kumari. Her mesmerising beauty, grace and screen presence cannot be described in words, but to put it simply, when she was on-screen, no one else existed. Her portrayal of the tormented and deeply frustrated Chhoti Bahu is both heartfelt and artistic. Chhoti Bahu's desire to get her estranged husband's affection and become a mother and her attempts to please him by taking to alcohol only to become a fervent alcoholic herself and remain the same neglected wife, are all aptly displayed. Kumari plays the role with great mastery; her appearances in songs, like "Piya Aiso Jiya Mein" in which she dresses for her husband and particularly the seductive "Na Jao Saiyan..." are astonishing; her big, expressive and often tearful eyes, her brilliant dialogue delivery, her emotional outbursts, her breaks into anguished and sarcasm laden laughs, and ultimately her nostalgic monologue towards the end, are unforgettable.

While Kumari dominates the show utterly, one must not forget the great job done by the rest of the cast members. Guru Dutt, playing the role of the innocent Bhootnath, who later becomes Chooti Bahu's confidant and close friend, acted like only an actor acting in his own film could. Rumour had it that he was actually the one who directed the movie, simply because the movie is identified with his own style of filmmaking. This rumour was disproved by people associated with the film, but Guru Dutt, the actor, still played his role exceedingly well probably due to his involvement with the film as its producer. My most favourite scenes of his are those in which we see Bhootnath as a middle-aged architect. There is a kind of yearning and sadness in his eyes which is real and easy to relate to. Waheeda Rehman played Jaba wonderfully and her character's transformation from an arrogant and careless young lady into a suffering and loving woman was natural and convincing. Rehman, as Chhote Sarkar was restrained and effective.

As mentioned, Hemant Kumar's music for the film is great. Shakeel Badayuni wrote fantastic lyrics for the songs, and so every song has a story of its own and comes at the right places fitting the situations. Every song is very much a part of the narration and contributes to the story. Geeta Dutt and Asha Bhosle were the voices of the ladies, and did a great job. Among my favourite scenes in the movie is the one right after the "Na Jao Saiyan..." number in which Chhoti Bahu bursts out at her husband after he criticises her of becoming mad as a result of her heavy drinking, while she turns on him to reproach him for being the only reason because of which she sacrificed her basic values and all just to please him. A frequent quote in the film, that of Chhoti Bahu asserting that she is not like other landowners' wives, being much more devoted and caring, is very memorable, particularly because it's well delivered by the lady. All in all, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam is a gem of Hindi films. It is an all-time great movie, and much of it because it has an all-time great performance by Meena Kumari.

A beautifully made movie of the travails of an aristocratic woman in late 19th century Calcutta neglected by her husband as seen by a sympathetic lower-class acquaintance. The woman is ever the faithful wife, always trying to win the attention of her drunkard & womaniser husband and failing.

Excellent period atmosphere, and superb acting by Meena Kumari. Waheeda Rehman provides the glamour, but her role is superfluous. Abrar Alvi is credited with the direction, but grapevine has it that it was the great Guru Dutt himself who directed the movie. It certainly has the Guru Dutt stamp.

Satyajit Ray's Charulata has a similar theme & is set in the same period, but unfortunately I haven't seen it so can't compare both.

Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam is truly a movie for future generations of India.Even after forty eight years this movie truly lives in the heart of everybody.Frequently everybody sees during Sundays this movie. Even the future generations will be astonished when they see this one due to its great Screenplay,Realistic plot and Legend Performances.Nobody can avoid this one by saying this as a Black&White old film.Persons aspiring to become great artists must first definitely see this movie.The hearts will really feel joyful after seeing this wonderful meaningful film.I would say as a must for every Indian irrespective of language etc.Really I believe this movie well be remembered even after 100 years.Salute for the souls who had made this movie.