Entertainment

Happy birthday Gulzar Saab: Have you watched these 13 masterpieces of the underrated director?

Sampooran Singh Kalra known professionally as Gulzar turns 88 today. Think Gulzar, think 'shayris', film song lyrics, and Urdu 'nazms'. Although the man may be celebrated for his lyrical compositions, the world of Hindi cinema would not be the same without his equally brilliant films.Take a look at 13 pathbreaking films directed by Gulzar Sahib that gave us intense characters and memorable stories, set in important socio-political milieu.
Think Gulzar, think 'shayris', film song lyrics, and Urdu 'nazms'. Although the man may be celebrated for his lyrical compositions, the world of Hindi cinema would not be the same without his equally brilliant films. Take a look at 13 pathbreaking films
Think Gulzar, think 'shayris', film song lyrics, and Urdu 'nazms'. Although the man may be celebrated for his lyrical compositions, the world of Hindi cinema would not be the same without his equally brilliant films. Take a look at 13 pathbreaking films
Manasa R
Updated on: 
2 min read
POLITICAL DRAMA - Hu Tu Tu; YEAR: 1999; PLOT: The daughter of a power-hungry politician (Tabu) and the revolutionary son of a corrupt businessman (Suneil Shetty), who grow up seeing their parents choose success over values, find solace in each other. When the girl is kidnapped by a gang of rebels, she finds out about all about her mother's actions - will she forgive her mom or join the rebels (led by Dalit street poet Nana Patekar)? TRIVIA: Tabu received a Filmfare Award nomination for Best Actress. Suhasini Mulay won National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress.
POLITICAL DRAMA - Hu Tu Tu; YEAR: 1999; PLOT: The daughter of a power-hungry politician (Tabu) and the revolutionary son of a corrupt businessman (Suneil Shetty), who grow up seeing their parents choose success over values, find solace in each other. When the girl is kidnapped by a gang of rebels, she finds out about all about her mother's actions - will she forgive her mom or join the rebels (led by Dalit street poet Nana Patekar)? TRIVIA: Tabu received a Filmfare Award nomination for Best Actress. Suhasini Mulay won National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress.
DRAMA - Koshish; YEAR: 1972; PLOT: A deaf and mute couple (Jaya Bhaduri and Sanjeev Kumar) navigate through life with hope and positivity. How they raise their child in a society which is cruel to them, forms the crux of the story. TRIVIA: It was inspired by Japanese film Happiness of Us Alone about a deaf and mute couple in post-World War II Japan. Gulzar won the National Film Award for Best Screenplay. Sanjeev won the National Film Award for Best Actor. It was remade in Tamil as Uyarndhavargal in 1977, starring Kamal Haasan and Sujatha.
DRAMA - Koshish; YEAR: 1972; PLOT: A deaf and mute couple (Jaya Bhaduri and Sanjeev Kumar) navigate through life with hope and positivity. How they raise their child in a society which is cruel to them, forms the crux of the story. TRIVIA: It was inspired by Japanese film Happiness of Us Alone about a deaf and mute couple in post-World War II Japan. Gulzar won the National Film Award for Best Screenplay. Sanjeev won the National Film Award for Best Actor. It was remade in Tamil as Uyarndhavargal in 1977, starring Kamal Haasan and Sujatha.
COMEDY OF ERRORS - Angoor; YEAR: 1982; PLOT: Sanjeev Kumar and Deven Varma play dual roles as two sets of identical twins who are separated at birth and later meet in adulthood, causing a clash of mistaken identities. Moushumi Chatterjee, Deepti Naval and Aruna Irani are the female leads. TRIVIA: Deven Verma won the Filmfare Award for Best Comedian. It's a remake of Do Dooni Char which was a remake of 1963 Bengali film Bhrantibilas, based on Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar's Bengali novel of the same name, which was inspired by Shakespeare's play The Comedy of Errors. (Photo | NFAI Twitter)
COMEDY OF ERRORS - Angoor; YEAR: 1982; PLOT: Sanjeev Kumar and Deven Varma play dual roles as two sets of identical twins who are separated at birth and later meet in adulthood, causing a clash of mistaken identities. Moushumi Chatterjee, Deepti Naval and Aruna Irani are the female leads. TRIVIA: Deven Verma won the Filmfare Award for Best Comedian. It's a remake of Do Dooni Char which was a remake of 1963 Bengali film Bhrantibilas, based on Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar's Bengali novel of the same name, which was inspired by Shakespeare's play The Comedy of Errors. (Photo | NFAI Twitter)
ROMANTIC DRAMA - Ijaazat; YEAR: 1987; PLOT: An estranged couple (Naseeruddin Shah and Rekha) meet in a railway station's waiting room by accident and discover some truths about each other and their lives. Anuradha Patel played the 'other woman' in this tale on relationships, marriage, infidelity and more. TRIVIA: It's based on a Bengali novel Jatugriha by writer Subodh Ghosh, which is also a film. Asha Bhosle and Gulzar won the National Film Awards for Best Female Playback Singer and Best Lyrics respectively for the song Mera Kuch Samaan. (Photos | Twitter)
ROMANTIC DRAMA - Ijaazat; YEAR: 1987; PLOT: An estranged couple (Naseeruddin Shah and Rekha) meet in a railway station's waiting room by accident and discover some truths about each other and their lives. Anuradha Patel played the 'other woman' in this tale on relationships, marriage, infidelity and more. TRIVIA: It's based on a Bengali novel Jatugriha by writer Subodh Ghosh, which is also a film. Asha Bhosle and Gulzar won the National Film Awards for Best Female Playback Singer and Best Lyrics respectively for the song Mera Kuch Samaan. (Photos | Twitter)
ROMANCE - Mausam; YEAR: 1975; PLOT: A hero (Sanjeev Kumar) comes from abroad, falls in love with a girl (Sharmila Tagore) from the hills, leaves her with a promise to return… and comes back years later only to find the girl's daughter (also Sharmila Tagore) and through her, a means to atone for his actions in the past. TRIVIA: Gulzar received the Filmfare for Best Film and Best Director, and the National Film Award for the Second Best Feature Film. Sharmila Tagore won the National Film Award for Best Actress. It is loosely based on the novel The Judas Tree by A.J. Cronin. The film was remade in Tamil as Vasandhathil or Naal starring Sivaji Ganesan. (Photo | Amazon)
ROMANCE - Mausam; YEAR: 1975; PLOT: A hero (Sanjeev Kumar) comes from abroad, falls in love with a girl (Sharmila Tagore) from the hills, leaves her with a promise to return… and comes back years later only to find the girl's daughter (also Sharmila Tagore) and through her, a means to atone for his actions in the past. TRIVIA: Gulzar received the Filmfare for Best Film and Best Director, and the National Film Award for the Second Best Feature Film. Sharmila Tagore won the National Film Award for Best Actress. It is loosely based on the novel The Judas Tree by A.J. Cronin. The film was remade in Tamil as Vasandhathil or Naal starring Sivaji Ganesan. (Photo | Amazon)
CHILDREN'S FILM - Kitaab; YEAR: 1977; PLOT: A young boy (Master Raju Shrestha) moves to his sister's home (Vidya Sinha) in the city in order to attend a new school. He later runs away as he feels nobody understands him. The film depicts his journey through the streets and a railway station, as he meets interesting characters and grows up along the way. Uttam Kumar played a supporting role. TRIVIA: It's based on the Bengali novel Pathik by writer Samaresh Basu. It is loosely autobiographical - Gulzar often stayed away from family and learnt through unconventional ways. (Photo | Anees Bazmee Twitter)
CHILDREN'S FILM - Kitaab; YEAR: 1977; PLOT: A young boy (Master Raju Shrestha) moves to his sister's home (Vidya Sinha) in the city in order to attend a new school. He later runs away as he feels nobody understands him. The film depicts his journey through the streets and a railway station, as he meets interesting characters and grows up along the way. Uttam Kumar played a supporting role. TRIVIA: It's based on the Bengali novel Pathik by writer Samaresh Basu. It is loosely autobiographical - Gulzar often stayed away from family and learnt through unconventional ways. (Photo | Anees Bazmee Twitter)
PERIOD POLITICAL THRILLER - Maachis; YEAR: 1996; PLOT: It depicts the events surrounding the rise of Sikh insurgency and the Khalistani movement in Punjab at the time of the 1984 Sikh riots, while tracing how a youth disillusioned with the state joins terrorism. Om Puri, Tabu, Chandrachur Singh and Jimmy Shergill played lead roles. TRIVIA: Tabu won the National Film Award for Best Actress. Chandrachur Singh won the Filmfare Best Debut Award. It won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Gulzar won the Filmfares for Best Dialogue and Story. Vishal Bhardwaj won the Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent. (Photo | NFAI Twitter)
PERIOD POLITICAL THRILLER - Maachis; YEAR: 1996; PLOT: It depicts the events surrounding the rise of Sikh insurgency and the Khalistani movement in Punjab at the time of the 1984 Sikh riots, while tracing how a youth disillusioned with the state joins terrorism. Om Puri, Tabu, Chandrachur Singh and Jimmy Shergill played lead roles. TRIVIA: Tabu won the National Film Award for Best Actress. Chandrachur Singh won the Filmfare Best Debut Award. It won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Gulzar won the Filmfares for Best Dialogue and Story. Vishal Bhardwaj won the Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent. (Photo | NFAI Twitter)
POLITICAL DRAMA - Aandhi; YEAR: 1975; PLOT: An estranged couple (Sanjeev Kumar and Suchitra Sen) meet by chance after several years, when the wife, now a politician, comes to stay in a hotel run by her husband. Do they get back together or part ways for a second time? TRIVIA: It was banned by the Indira Gandhi government during Emergency, and was released by the BJP after the next elections in 1977. It was alleged to be based on Indira Gandhi's life which Gulzar later dismissed. Sanjeev Kumar won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor while Gulzar won the Filmfare for Best Film (Critics). (Photo | NFAI Twitter)
POLITICAL DRAMA - Aandhi; YEAR: 1975; PLOT: An estranged couple (Sanjeev Kumar and Suchitra Sen) meet by chance after several years, when the wife, now a politician, comes to stay in a hotel run by her husband. Do they get back together or part ways for a second time? TRIVIA: It was banned by the Indira Gandhi government during Emergency, and was released by the BJP after the next elections in 1977. It was alleged to be based on Indira Gandhi's life which Gulzar later dismissed. Sanjeev Kumar won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor while Gulzar won the Filmfare for Best Film (Critics). (Photo | NFAI Twitter)
MUSICAL DRAMA - Parichay; YEAR: 1972 ; PLOT: An unemployed man (Jeetendra) becomes the tutor of five bratty grandchildren of a wealthy man (Pran). He soon becomes close to the family (particularly the oldest of them - Jaya Bhaduri) and helps them resolve their issues with their grandfather. TRIVIA: It's loosely based on the 1965 musical masterpiece The Sound of Music. Lata Mangeshkar won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the song Beeti Na Bitai Raina. (Videograb)
MUSICAL DRAMA - Parichay; YEAR: 1972 ; PLOT: An unemployed man (Jeetendra) becomes the tutor of five bratty grandchildren of a wealthy man (Pran). He soon becomes close to the family (particularly the oldest of them - Jaya Bhaduri) and helps them resolve their issues with their grandfather. TRIVIA: It's loosely based on the 1965 musical masterpiece The Sound of Music. Lata Mangeshkar won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the song Beeti Na Bitai Raina. (Videograb)
DRAMA - Mere Apne ; YEAR: 1971; PLOT: An old widow (Meena Kumari) moves to the city to live with her distant relative and his family only to realise they just needed a maid. She then befriends a child beggar and goes to live with him, soon becoming a grandmotherly figure to a group of clashing youths led by Shyam (Vinod Khanna) and Chhenu (Shatrughan Sinha). Will she succeed in bringing peace among the boys who can't see eye to eye? TRIVIA: It is Gulzar's first directorial venture and a remake of National Award-winning Bengali film Apanjan directed by legendary filmmaker Tapan Sinha. (Videograb)
DRAMA - Mere Apne ; YEAR: 1971; PLOT: An old widow (Meena Kumari) moves to the city to live with her distant relative and his family only to realise they just needed a maid. She then befriends a child beggar and goes to live with him, soon becoming a grandmotherly figure to a group of clashing youths led by Shyam (Vinod Khanna) and Chhenu (Shatrughan Sinha). Will she succeed in bringing peace among the boys who can't see eye to eye? TRIVIA: It is Gulzar's first directorial venture and a remake of National Award-winning Bengali film Apanjan directed by legendary filmmaker Tapan Sinha. (Videograb)
ROMANTIC DRAMA - Libaas; YEAR: 1988 ; PLOT: The marriage of a young couple (Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi) ends after the woman leaves the man for his childhood friend (Raj Babbar). TRIVIA: Producer Vikas Mohan wanted a different ending but Gulzar refused, so he decided not to release it. It was screened for the first time at the International Film Festival of India four years after it was made. Mohan's son brought it to cinemas in 2017 after the death of his father in 2016. (Photo | Twitter)
ROMANTIC DRAMA - Libaas; YEAR: 1988 ; PLOT: The marriage of a young couple (Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi) ends after the woman leaves the man for his childhood friend (Raj Babbar). TRIVIA: Producer Vikas Mohan wanted a different ending but Gulzar refused, so he decided not to release it. It was screened for the first time at the International Film Festival of India four years after it was made. Mohan's son brought it to cinemas in 2017 after the death of his father in 2016. (Photo | Twitter)
ROMANTIC THRILLER - Achanak; YEAR: 1973; PLOT: A senior army officer (Vinod Khanna) murders his wife (Lily Chakravarty) and her lover and turns himself into the police. He escapes later to fulfil her last wish. He then ends up in a hospital. The events in between are narrated in flashbacks. TRIVIA: This film did not have any songs in it. It is inspired by the real-life sensational 1958 murder case where Commander Kawas M Nanavati of the Indian Navy shot dead his English wife Sylvia's lover Prem Ahuja on 27 April 1959. Yeh Rastey Hain Pyar Ke (1963) and Akshay Kumar starrer Rustom (2016) are based on the same case. (Videograb)
ROMANTIC THRILLER - Achanak; YEAR: 1973; PLOT: A senior army officer (Vinod Khanna) murders his wife (Lily Chakravarty) and her lover and turns himself into the police. He escapes later to fulfil her last wish. He then ends up in a hospital. The events in between are narrated in flashbacks. TRIVIA: This film did not have any songs in it. It is inspired by the real-life sensational 1958 murder case where Commander Kawas M Nanavati of the Indian Navy shot dead his English wife Sylvia's lover Prem Ahuja on 27 April 1959. Yeh Rastey Hain Pyar Ke (1963) and Akshay Kumar starrer Rustom (2016) are based on the same case. (Videograb)
FAMILY DRAMA - Namkeen; YEAR: 1982; PLOT: An old nautanki or a folk dancer (Waheeda Rehman) lives with her three daughters (Sharmila Tagore, Shabana Azmi and Kiran Vairale), struggling to make ends meet after leaving her alcoholic husband. A truck driver (Sanjeev Kumar) comes to stay at their house on rent and what follows next forms the essence of the bittersweet tale. TRIVIA: It was released on Doordarshan in 1982 as it did not find distributors. Its DVD version was released in 1998 with a different ending. Essabhai M. Suratwala won the National Film Award for Best Audiography while Samaresh Basu won the Filmfare for Best Story. (Photo | Twitter)
FAMILY DRAMA - Namkeen; YEAR: 1982; PLOT: An old nautanki or a folk dancer (Waheeda Rehman) lives with her three daughters (Sharmila Tagore, Shabana Azmi and Kiran Vairale), struggling to make ends meet after leaving her alcoholic husband. A truck driver (Sanjeev Kumar) comes to stay at their house on rent and what follows next forms the essence of the bittersweet tale. TRIVIA: It was released on Doordarshan in 1982 as it did not find distributors. Its DVD version was released in 1998 with a different ending. Essabhai M. Suratwala won the National Film Award for Best Audiography while Samaresh Basu won the Filmfare for Best Story. (Photo | Twitter)
Gulzar
Maachis
Happy Birthday Gulzar
Gulzar films
Director Gulzar
Aandhi
Angoor
Ijaazat
Mere Apne

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