Sampooran Singh Kalra known popularly by his pen name Gulzar, is an Indian poet, lyricist, musician, composer and film director. Born in Jhelum District in British India (now in Pakistan) his family moved to India after partition. He started his career with music director S.D. Burman as a lyricist in the 1963 film Bandini and worked with many music directors including R. D. Burman, Salil Chowdhury, Vishal Bhardwaj and A. R. Rahman. He directed films such as Aandhi and Mausam during the 1970s and the TV series Mirza Ghalib in the 1980s. He also directed Kirdaar in 1993. He also wrote the theme song for Motu Patlu, an Indian animated sitcom.
Gulzar also wrote poetry, dialogues and scripts. He was awarded Padma Bhushan in 2004, the third-highest civilian award in India, the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award — the highest award in Indian cinema. He has won several Indian National Film Awards, 20 Filmfare Awards, one Academy Award and one Grammy Award.
Known For
Slumdog Millionaire
(2008)
Lyricist
Darlings
(2022)
Lyricist
Dear Zindagi
(2016)
Lyricist
Guru
(2007)
Lyricist
Drishyam
(2015)
Lyricist
Chachi 420
(1997)
Dialogue and Lyricist
Chupke Chupke
(1975)
Dialogue and Screenplay
Haider
(2014)
Lyricist
Ponniyin Selvan: Part II
(2023)
Lyricist
Dil Se..
(1998)
Lyricist
Gol Maal
(1979)
Musical
Khufiya
(2023)
Lyricist
Mirza Ghalib
(1988)
Writer
Raazi
(2018)
Lyricist
Sam Bahadur
(2023)
Lyricist
Full Filmography
Writing
Kabuliwala
(1961)
Lyricist
Bandini
(1963)
Lyricist
Aashirwad
(1968)
Dialogue
Sunghursh
(1968)
Dialogue
Khamoshi
(1969)
Dialogue and Musical
Bilambita Loy
(1970)
Lyricist
Anand
(1971)
Dialogue, Screenplay, and Lyricist
Mere Apne
(1971)
Writer
Guddi
(1971)
Screenplay
Anubhav
(1971)
Lyricist
Parichay
(1972)
Screenplay
Koshish
(1972)
Screenplay
Sabse Bada Sukh
(1972)
Dialogue
Achanak
(1973)
Writer
Namak Haraam
(1973)
Dialogue and Screenplay
Jeevan Sangram
(1974)
Screenplay, Dialogue, and Lyricist
Chupke Chupke
(1975)
Dialogue and Screenplay
Khushboo
(1975)
Dialogue and Screenplay
Aandhi
(1975)
Screenplay
Mausam
(1975)
Screenplay
Faraar
(1975)
Story
Cinema Paithiyam
(1975)
Writer
Kitaab
(1977)
Writer
Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein
(1977)
Writer
Jallian Wala Bagh
(1977)
Writer, Screenplay, and Lyricist
Uyarnthavargal
(1977)
Original Story
Gharaonda
(1977)
Screenplay, Lyricist, and Dialogue
Devata
(1978)
Writer
Meera
(1979)
Writer
Gol Maal
(1979)
Musical
The Jewelled Lamp
(1979)
Lyricist
Khubsoorat
(1980)
Writer
Swayamvar
(1980)
Lyricist
Angoor
(1982)
Screenplay
Namkeen
(1982)
Screenplay
Hip Hip Hurray
(1983)
Writer
Zara Si Zindagi
(1983)
Dialogue
Sadma
(1983)
Dialogue and Lyricist
Masoom
(1983)
Screenplay
Ek Pal
(1986)
Dialogue
New Delhi Times
(1986)
Writer
Ijaazat
(1987)
Screenplay, Dialogue, and Lyricist
Mirza Ghalib
(1988)
Writer
Libaas
(1988)
Writer
Lekin...
(1990)
Screenplay
Rudaali
(1993)
Writer
Maya Memsaab
(1993)
Lyricist
Mammo
(1994)
Lyricist
Maachis
(1996)
Screenplay and Story
Chachi 420
(1997)
Dialogue and Lyricist
Dil Se..
(1998)
Lyricist
Satya
(1998)
Lyricist
Rockford
(1999)
Lyricist
Hu Tu Tu
(1999)
Writer
Swapno Niye
(1999)
Story
Fiza
(2000)
Lyricist
Saathiya
(2002)
Dialogue
Dil Vil Pyar Vyar
(2002)
Lyricist
Maqbool
(2003)
Lyricist
Pinjar
(2003)
Lyricist
The Blue Umbrella
(2005)
Lyricist
Jaan-E-Mann
(2006)
Lyricist
Omkara
(2006)
Lyricist
Guru
(2007)
Lyricist
Yuvvraaj
(2008)
Lyricist
Slumdog Millionaire
(2008)
Lyricist
Do Paise Ki Dhoop, Chaar Aane Ki Baarish
(2009)
Lyricist
Firaaq
(2009)
Lyricist
Billu
(2009)
Lyricist
Kaminey
(2009)
Lyricist
Ishqiya
(2010)
Lyricist
Raavan
(2010)
Lyricist
Raajneeti
(2010)
Lyricist
7 Khoon Maaf
(2011)
Lyricist
Kill Dil
(2014)
Lyricist
Haider
(2014)
Lyricist
Masoom
(2014)
Writer
Drishyam
(2015)
Lyricist
Talvar
(2015)
Lyricist
Mirzya
(2016)
Screenplay and Story
Dear Zindagi
(2016)
Lyricist
Ok Jaanu
(2017)
Dialogue and Lyricist
Mehrunisa V Lub U
(2017)
Lyricist
Rangoon
(2017)
Lyricist
Raazi
(2018)
Lyricist
The Sky Is Pink
(2019)
Lyricist
Chhapaak
(2020)
Lyricist
1232 KMs
(2021)
Lyricist
Darlings
(2022)
Lyricist
Sherdil: The Pilibhit Saga
(2022)
Lyricist
Cirkus
(2022)
Original Story
Kuttey
(2023)
Lyricist
Fursat
(2023)
Lyricist
Ponniyin Selvan: Part II
(2023)
Lyricist
Khufiya
(2023)
Lyricist
Sam Bahadur
(2023)
Lyricist
Acting
Parda
(1949)
Salma
Jallian Wala Bagh
(1977)
Suneel
Chala Murari Hero Banne
(1977)
Self
Griha Pravesh
(1979)
Guest Appearance in song
Raincoat
(2004)
Poetry (voice)
Celluloid Man
(2012)
Self
Jai Ho
(2014)
self
Kaagaz Ki Kashti
(2016)
Himself
Roots
(2017)
Directing
Bandini
(1963)
Assistant Director
Mere Apne
(1971)
Director
Parichay
(1972)
Director
Koshish
(1972)
Director
Achanak
(1973)
Director
Khushboo
(1975)
Director
Aandhi
(1975)
Director
Mausam
(1975)
Director
Kinara
(1977)
Director
Kitaab
(1977)
Director
Meera
(1979)
Director
Sahira
(1980)
Director
Angoor
(1982)
Director
Namkeen
(1982)
Director
Ijaazat
(1987)
Director
Mirza Ghalib
(1988)
Director
Libaas
(1988)
Director
Lekin...
(1990)
Director
Pandit Bhimsen Joshi
(1992)
Director
Maachis
(1996)
Director
Hu Tu Tu
(1999)
Director
Production
Sound
Crew