Gulzar
Mora gora ang laile, crooned Lata Mangeshkar for Nutan in Bimal Roy's Bandini (1963). And with that a writer, rather a lyricist, made his debut.
Forty five years on, Gulzar is still growing strong.
While the poet in him is still contributing beautiful ditties, the writer in him made his mark with contributions like Shagird (1967), Sunghursh, Aashirwad (1968) and Khamoshi (1969).
Gulzar, the writer, took up directorial responsibility in 1971 and the result was Mere Apne. Encouraged by the film's reception, Gulzar went from strength to strength. Parichay, Koshish (both 1972), Achanak (1973), Mausam, Khushboo and Aandhi (all 1975), Kinara (1977), Angoor and Namkeen (1982) highlighted various facets of Gulzar as a filmmaker.
His sensitive and introspective works were a far cry from the rugged action and tepid melodrama that were the hallmark of Bollywood in the 1970s.
Despite going places as a director, Gulzar never stopped writing. Besides his own films, Gulzar also immensely contributed to films by other directors like Anand, Guddi (both in 1971), Bawarchi (1972), Namak Haram (1973), Chupke Chupke (1975), Khoobsurat (1980) and Masoom (1983).
The mid-1980s and 1990s saw a decline in the quality of his works -- Ijaazat (1987), Lekin (1990) and Maachis (1996) being a few exceptions. His last directorial effort, Hu Tu Tu (1999), was disappointing.
Gulzar has become synonymous with writing in Hindi films over the years and the lyricist in him is still working overtime and giving us many more hummable numbers.
In the picture: A still from Bandini
Also Read: Gulzar's unforgettable magic
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