Gulzar’s Interview Notes

Show Notes

Link: https://youtu.be/8-9hxiLD18k?si=_zSoeCtML_BTO1ha

In this interview, Gulzaar saab

- reflects on his 50+ years in the industry, emphasizing that survival and success in the industry come from hard work and honesty in the craft.

- speaks about his experiences working with various music directors like S.D. Burman, Salil Chowdhury, and A.R. Rahman. He admired their talent and considered learning from them a great privilege.

- emphasizes that one can learn from various mentors and experiences, not just from one person. He attributes his success to constant learning and honesty in his work.

- discusses how he approaches his work with sincerity, focusing on creating something genuine rather than seeking fame. His satisfaction comes from creating quality work appreciated by others.

- talks about the shift in the process of songwriting in films. Earlier, the lyrics came first, but now music is often composed first, and lyrics are written later to match the tune.

- reminisces about the early days of cinema when live music accompanied silent films and how the demand for specific songs grew over time, influencing how songs were composed and integrated into films.

- shares how Vimal Roy, a mentor, played a crucial role in shaping his career. Roy encouraged him to move away from his previous job and fully dedicate himself to filmmaking.

- recalls his early association with R.D. Burman (Pancham), emphasizing their close bond and how they used to discuss music during their initial days in the industry.

- reflects on their creative process, often deriving melodies and lyrics spontaneously during travel or moments of solitude, which would later evolve into full-fledged ideas and compositions.

- there is a deep creative relationship with Vishal, marked by mutual respect and experimentation, especially in poetry and music.

-discusses the deep connection with Ghalib’s poetry, which offers wisdom applicable at all stages of life. The title "Chacha Ghalib" symbolizes the affection and respect for Ghalib’s legacy in Urdu poetry.

- traumatic memories of witnessing the Partition, including violence, bloodshed, and nightmares that persisted for years. Writing became a means to purge these haunting memories.

-mentions Meena Kumari's poetic talent and her habit of recording her feelings and observations in diaries, which were later published posthumously.

-Tagore’s work significantly influenced the ’s life, shifting their reading habits from popular fiction to serious literature, and igniting a love for Bengali culture and language.

- describes the journey of creating a TV series on Ghalib, overcoming challenges, and the fulfillment that came from the project. Collaborations with actors like Naseeruddin Shah and musicians like Jagjit Singh are highlighted.

-worked on plays like "Kharash" and "Lakhirein" which explore the human impact of Partition, contrasting the bloody past with the present reality of life continuing on both sides of the border.

-talks about his play, which explores the life of a person living on the streets of Mumbai, offering a perspective on the city that contrasts with its glamorous image.