Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam

Directed by Guru Dutt, India, 1962, 154mins
Cast: Waheeda Rehman, Meena Kumari, Guru Dutt, Nazir Husain
Print Source: Directorate of Film Festivals of India

After being given his break by Dev Anand, Guru Dutt built a reputation as the maker of poetic, beautifully crafted films during the '50s, until he was destroyed by the commercial failure of Kaagaz ke Phool in 1959. By 1962 he was a virtual recluse, but although Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam is credited to the writer Abrar Alvi it is widely regarded as Dutt's last great masterpiece.

The film narrates the passing of an old order in 19th century Bengal through the fortunes of two women: bored aristocrat Chhoti Bahu (Meena Kumari) and the feisty Jabba (Waheeda Rehman). Both are hemmed in by male values, and give voice to their dreams through some fabulous songs, many of which are still played today. The black and white photography has rarely been bettered - look out for the scene where a courtesan (voiced by Asha Bhosle) sings "Saakiya aaj mujhe neend" spotlit against shadowy dancers.

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