Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam

I couldnt agree more with those who describe SB&G as the greatest classic in Indian cinema, followed by "Sholay". While the latter is the quintessential Bollywood blockbuster, SB&G is a mainstream film of another kind --- expertly-crafted, aesthetically breathtaking and profoundly disturbing. Its also a film WAY ahead of its time (was a `flop' at the box-office!) and caused much controversy when it was premiered. It is based on a great Bengali novel, one that exposed the hypocrisy and decadence prevalent in the Zamindari (landed gentry). The film ran into terrible problems with our puritanical censors, because of its sometimes unabashed references to alcoholism and sex. Nominally directed by Abrar Alvi (they say Guru Dutt shadow-directed it....and it shows!) and luminously photographed in B/W, the film has immaculate attention to detail in EVERY respect, starting from the trenchant plot-line and script. Of course there are compromises made to accomodate market-needs, such as a couple of superfluous songs; and some farcical comedy. But if ever there was a case for releasing a "director's cut", lovingly restored, its here. God knows what the censor's scissors threw away. Meena Kumari's performance is the finest given by an actress in Indian cinema....and I will go on to say that its the finest performance given by an actress that I have EVER seen (a close second is Meryl Streep in "Sophie's Choice"). Meena Kumari acts with her FEET --- thats the first we see of her, with her dialogue spoken as a voice-over; then a cut to her incredible face, the eyes betraying a glitter of obsessive-compulsion that is the character's core. Its a performance that stirs you like few will, courageous and uninhibited, honest and intense. Its centre-piece is of course the drunken tirade against her husband, accusing him of impotence. In this, as indeed in every scene, she goes beyond acting into a realm that exists only in the gut. Another great Indian film that is not available on DVD, at least not in our own country. When will we learn to honour our best?

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.

Not much to add to what has already been stated by the other reviewers previously. A great movie. Haunting b&w photography which captures the era very well, superb performances, of course Meenakumari and the rest, who can forget Sapru as the zamindar with that look, Rehman, and the sets themselves. And the beautiful music especially Geeta Dutt's singing. Just one correction- Gurudutt's character's name is Bhognath (not Bhootnath as stated elsewhere on this site).

This is not only one of the best Hindi films that I have ever seen, it is also one of the greatest movies I have seen.

But first things first, MEENA KUMARI, a queen among beautiful women, looks so breath-taking, sometimes you really have to catch your breath and stop staring at her face in wonder. The soft sensuality of her sari clad figure is unparalleled. Which other women I say, clothed from head to feet , can look so alluring, beguiling, mysterious, lovable. The movie with lush black and white cinematography showcases her spell binding beauty flawlessly. My oh my, the scene where she first appears on the screen, some half an hour into the film, we see her from the feet upwards and hear her beautiful voice that could have anything from any man in the world. From the first instant, she wins your heart and your heart goes out to her as the inevitable tragedy unfolds.

Set in the affluent house of high society Bengal Family, the story tells the tale of ruin of a household when all the people in the house are blinded by their many conflicting ambitions. Of particular interest to us is the story of the servant Bhoothnath(Guru Dutt) who falls in love with his mistress, the enigmatic Choti Bahu(Meena Kumari), wife of the youngest wayward son (Rehman)in the house who spends most of his time drinking at whore-houses. The ploys employed by the young wife with the help of the faithful and loyal servant to bring her husband lead nowhere. Soon she to turns alcoholic and very soon has her own problems with the bottle to add to the troubles. All the men in the house blinded by joys of money ignore the family business completely which ultimately brings about the the ruin of the house.

The movie also has the wonderful subplot of Bhoothnath and Jaba(Waheeda Rehman), another beautiful and gifted actress. Their little tale also unfolds with the tragedy occurring in the big house.

All in all, an outstanding movies comparable to Citizen Kane, Casblanca, Sunset Boulevard and All Aboue Eve for the style, narration, and of course superb acting all around. Particularly by the amazing Meena Kumari, who excels in her drunken outbursts towards the end of the movie. The ending of the movie is also sublime. Go watch the movie tho know what great movies are capable off. This is a gem produced in India that is not widely discovered and acknowledged.

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.