Abrar Alvi

Abrar Alvi (1 July 1927 – 18 November 2009) was an Indian film writer, director and actor.

Most of his notable work was done in the 1950s and 1960s with Guru Dutt. He wrote some of the most respected works of Indian cinema, including Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962), Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959) and Pyaasa (1957), which have an avid following the world over. Pyaasa (1957 film) is included in the All-Time 100 Movies by Time magazine, as chosen by critics Richard Corliss and Richard Schickel.

Early life and career Abrar Alvi was born on 1 July 1927. Guru Dutt needed a success to put him back on the 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.

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 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." Won – Filmfare Award for Best Director for: Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962).

Death Abrar Alvi died due to a stomach complication on Wednesday, 18 November 2009 in Mumbai. He was 82 years old.

Select filmography

Writer

Guddu (1995) (dialogue) (screenplay) Sunghursh (1968) (dialogue) Chhotisi Mulaqat (1967) (dialogue) Suraj (1966) (dialogue) Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi (1966) (written by) Professor (1962) (dialogue) (screenplay) Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962) (dialogue and film director) Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960) Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959) (dialogue) (screenplay) Pyaasa (1957) (dialogue) Mr. & Mrs. '55 (1955) (dialogue) Aar-Paar (1954) (dialogue) An integral part of the Guru Dutt team

Actor Laila Majnu (1976) – (Guest Appearance) 12 O'Clock (1958) – Police Inspector

Director Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962) Darar (Serial Screenplay)