Entertainment

Happy Birthday Gulzar Saab, the legendary poet, lyricist and filmmaker

As Gulzar Saab turns 85, here's a look back at his 'shayaris' and lyrics that beautifully describe the pain of love and life.
Born as Sampooran Singh Kalra on August 18, 1934, in Deena of Pakistan's Jhelum district, Gulzar moved to Delhi after the India-Pakistan partition. In a career spanning over 60 years, he has written and directed several films, and has extensively penned books, songs and poems. (Photo | PTI)
Born as Sampooran Singh Kalra on August 18, 1934, in Deena of Pakistan's Jhelum district, Gulzar moved to Delhi after the India-Pakistan partition. In a career spanning over 60 years, he has written and directed several films, and has extensively penned books, songs and poems. (Photo | PTI)
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Gulzar is married to actress Raakhee. The couple has a daughter, Meghna Gulzar who completed her graduation in filmmaking from New York University and went on to direct films such as Filhaal, Just Married, Dus Kahaniyaan and authored the biography of her father Gulzar, in 2004. (Photo | PTI)
Gulzar is married to actress Raakhee. The couple has a daughter, Meghna Gulzar who completed her graduation in filmmaking from New York University and went on to direct films such as Filhaal, Just Married, Dus Kahaniyaan and authored the biography of her father Gulzar, in 2004. (Photo | PTI)
Due to the partition, Gulzar's family split and he had to stop his studies and come to Mumbai. He took up many small jobs in Mumbai to eke out a living, including one at a garage where he used to touch up accident-damaged cars. (Photo | PTI)
Due to the partition, Gulzar's family split and he had to stop his studies and come to Mumbai. He took up many small jobs in Mumbai to eke out a living, including one at a garage where he used to touch up accident-damaged cars. (Photo | PTI)
Sampooran took the pen name Gulzar Deenvi and later simply Gulzar. (Photo | PTI)
Sampooran took the pen name Gulzar Deenvi and later simply Gulzar. (Photo | PTI)
After writing dialogues and screenplay for films such as Aashirwad, Anand and Khamoshi, Gulzar directed his first film Mere Apne in 1971. His films told stories of human relationships entangled in social issues. For instance, 'Libaas' which told the story of an extra-marital affair of an urban couple never got released in India due to its controversial subject. (Photo | PTI)
After writing dialogues and screenplay for films such as Aashirwad, Anand and Khamoshi, Gulzar directed his first film Mere Apne in 1971. His films told stories of human relationships entangled in social issues. For instance, 'Libaas' which told the story of an extra-marital affair of an urban couple never got released in India due to its controversial subject. (Photo | PTI)
Gulzar has won a total of 36 awards and honours, including 5 National Film Awards, 21 Filmfare Awards, 1 Academy Award for Best Original Song (2008), 1 Grammy Award (2010), 2002 Sahitya Akademi Award for Urdu, Padma Bhushan (2004), and 2013 Dadasaheb Phalke Award. (Photo | PTI)
Gulzar has won a total of 36 awards and honours, including 5 National Film Awards, 21 Filmfare Awards, 1 Academy Award for Best Original Song (2008), 1 Grammy Award (2010), 2002 Sahitya Akademi Award for Urdu, Padma Bhushan (2004), and 2013 Dadasaheb Phalke Award. (Photo | PTI)
Gulzar primarily writes his poetry Urdu and Punjabi; besides several dialects of Hindi such as Braj Bhasha, Khariboli, Haryanvi and Marwari. His poetry is published in three compilations. (Photo | PTI)
Gulzar primarily writes his poetry Urdu and Punjabi; besides several dialects of Hindi such as Braj Bhasha, Khariboli, Haryanvi and Marwari. His poetry is published in three compilations. (Photo | PTI)
Gulzar
Happy Birthday Gulzar

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