Upon its publication, the book was declared a commercial success and received acclaim from critics, who said its most interesting parts were those covering the production of the 1962 film Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, that both Dutt and Alvi worked on.
In 2012, Ten Years with Guru Dutt was adapted into a stage play of the same name, which also generated positive reviews for its performances and costume designs.
The book also details their joint works; Aar Paar (1954), Mr. & Mrs. '55 (1955), Pyaasa (1957), Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960), Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962), and Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi (1966).
Before she released Ten Years with Guru Dutt,[1] Sathya Saran was the editor of the women's magazine Femina and a Daily News and Analysis supplement.
Having been fascinated by Dutt, she was motivated to do so and wrote in the book's foreword; "I was at the time going through a rough patch emotionally, thanks to matters at the workplace turning sour.
Savitha Gautam of The Hindu complimented Saran's effective writing and said the most interesting parts are those on the production of Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam.
[13]A Zee News reviewer called the book an insightful look at Alvi's and Dutt's careers, and an intimate account of Indian cinema.
[17] In a review for The Tribune, Nonika Singh took note of the fluidity and lucidity in Saran's writing, her initiative of presenting the story in first-person narrative, and her commentary.
[18] In The Punch Magazine, filmmaker Muzaffar Ali said through this book, Saran proves her journalistic ability; he also said; "She has gone into the essence of two interdependent personalities and created a magic of human drama which is very imaginative, informative and at the same time proactive ... she has woven an evocative past that will be a milestone in Bollywood history.
[24] The book's original story was slightly changed; the director was quoted as saying, "I had to keep all the characters' looks in mind and I was very cautious about the way the actors enacted the parts".