I am maturing every day: Gulzar
The poet-lyricist-director, who's all set to start his next film, tells Ritujoy Ghosh that change is a given for everyone. Gulzar has written the dialogues of a number of hit films and is yet excited about working with youngsters. His songs in Guru, are already a hit and has the nation swinging to the ace-lyricist's tunes.
Clad in his trademark kurta pyjama and Kashmiri shawl, he is the portrait of a philosopher. Anyone who has known and seen poet-lyricist-director Gulzar has always seen him in such an attire. While his dressing sense may be a constant, even at 70, he says that he changes as a person every day.
“I am maturing every day and my age is proof of that. Since age itself is a maturing process, your actions are bound to mature with age and I enjoy this maturity,” says Gulzar, who was in the city on Saturday to promote his recent album Koi Baat Chale, with ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh.
The album gives ghazal a new flavour with Gulzar coming out of the traditional from. “The poetry used is short, based on the haiku style of Japan, and deals with nature, man and emotions. It is cosmic poetry that I have mastered over the last 30 years and finally put it together in this album,” says Gulzar, whose last album with Jagjit Singh was Marasim.
Gulzar feels that change is a given for all human beings. “I am no different. Change in my working style is the reason why the audience still accepts me,” he says.
Probably this is one reason why Gulzar can find success with a song like Koi baat chale (part of his new album) and Beedi jalaile from Omkara. “Ghazals are what I do out of love and that is reflected in my new album,” says Gulzar who after seven years will start working on his film this year.
His last was Hu Tu Tu in 1999. “I really don’t want to make the audience wait any further. I am almost ready with the script and the work will start any time this year,” says Gulzar, who has directed some unforgettable films like Mere Aapne, Parichay, Aandhi, Mausam, Ijaazat and Maachis among others.
The poet, who has also written the dialogues of a number of hit films like , is excited about working with youngsters. His songs in Guru, the music of which has been scored by AR Rahman is already a hit and he is also writing the lyrics for daughter Meghna Gulzar’s film Just Married, the music of which is scored by Pritam. “I feel that I can write for anyone, be it for someone like Jagjit or rock musicians like Pritam and Palash Sen.”
Gulzar is looking forward to Just Married. “I feel sorry for Meghna. She had a tough time and that’s because of the kind of offbeat scripts she works with but I am happy that her film is finally releasing,” he says.
rghosh@hindustantimes.com