Happy Birthday, Gulzar.

Gulzar, one of the most celebrated and respected lyricist-writer-directors in the film industry, turns 85 today. Gulzar, whose real name is Sampooran Singh Kalra, started his career as a lyricist with the hit song “Mera gora ang lai le” in Bandini and went on to pen such chartbusters as Musafir hoon yaaro, Dil doondta hai, Tere bina zindagi se koi, Aanewala pal jaane wala hai, Naam gum jaayega and Mera kuchh saamaan.

Gulzar’s contribution to poetry, films and music cannot be fathomed without mentioning his accolades that include the Padma Bhushan, Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the Sahitya Akademi Award, Grammy and Academy (for Jai Ho) and several Filmfare and National Awards. He’s a noted poet who writes in both Hindi and Urdu and a director whose films have been critically acclaimed including Parichay, Aandhi, Mausam, Ijaazat, Mere Apne, Kinaara, Kitaab, Koshish, Angoor, Maachis, Lekin and Hu Tu Tu to name a few.