He conquered the hearts of millions by penning soulful songs like “Tujhse Naaraaz Nahi” and “Tere Bina Zindagi Se”, while films like “Aandhi” and “Mausam” directed by him have been etched in our memory.

A multi-faceted wordsmith, Gulzar was chosen for the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, on Saturday. A seven-member jury consisting of eminent artistes, after due deliberation, unanimously recommended him for the prestigious award, an official statement said.

Gulzar is the 45th recipient of the country’s highest award for film personalities. 

Gulzar has donned several hats like that of director, lyricist, screenwriter, producer and poet in his eventful career in the film industry. “I am happy to receive this award and I am thankful to everyone — people and the jury members. An award is a respect which says your work is loved and you are on the right path,” the 79-year-old artiste said in Mumbai after the announcement.

Gulzar said he felt “fulfilled” being recognised for his work. “It is a feeling of fulfilment of not one song, screenplay, but the total work one does. I feel blessed to get this honour,” he said.

Awards are not new for Gulzar, as the Padma Bhushan, Oscar award (shared with A R Rahman for “Jai Ho”), Sahitya Akademi award, a number of National Film Awards and 20 Filmfare Awards adorn his shelf.

Born Sampooran Singh Kalra in 1934 in Pakistan’s Punjab in the pre-Independence era, Gulzar and his family moved to India following Partition.

Career milestone

He started his film career in 1956 and got his first break as a lyricist in Bimal Roy’s “Bandini”. His song “Mora Gora Ang Lai Le...” filmed on Nutan became an instant hit.
He went on to collaborate with the best in the film industry, like S D Burman, Salil Chowdhury, Shankar Jaikishan, Hemant Kumar, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Madan Mohan, Rajesh Roshan, Anu Malik, and Shankar Ehsaan Loy. He has had outstanding partnerships with R D Burman, A R Rahman and Vishal Bhardwaj.

Some of his notable works are “Mere Apne”, “Koshish”, “Aandhi” and “Meera”. He has also created outstanding series like “Mirza Ghalib” and “Tahreer Munshi Premchand ki”. He wrote lyrics for several Doordarshan serials, including “Hello Zindagi”, “Potli Baba ki” and “Jungle Book”.