When Guru Dutt's Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam was submitted for the Oscars, the academy wrote a letter to Guru Dutt saying that a woman who drinks was not a remarkable taboo.
In 1958 when the film was announced, Guru Dutt's only choice was Meena Kumari for Choti Bahu but her husband Kamal Amrohi felt this character will spoil her image. Then Nargis and the London-based actress Chayya Arya were considered but rejected the role. In 1960-61 Gur Dutt again sent the script to Meena Kumari and this time she agreed to do the role.
The title was not exclusively directed by Abrar Alvi, as the songs were directed by Guru Dutt Sahab.
Waheeda Rehman had given test for role of Choti Bahu but photographer V.K Murthy and Guru Dutt fell she was to young to play a mature women.Abrar Alvi then offered her role of Jaba which was secondary role. Guru Dutt felt it wont go well according to her stardom and her credits will also be after Meena Kumari.But Waheeda Rehman did the role as she wanted to be part of the film.
The song Sahil Ki Taraf Kashti Le Chal was edited from the film. Where Meena Kumari rests on Guru Dutt's lap in a carriage the audience reacted sharply to it so the offending element was changed from a song to a dialogue.