Gulzar
- Known For
- Writing
- Born
- August 18, 1934 in Jhelum, Punjab, Pakistan
- Active Years
- 1940–2026 (87 Years)
- Total Credits
- 168 credits in database
Biography
Sampooran Singh Kalra, widely known by his pen name Gulzar, is an Indian poet, lyricist, musician, composer, and film director. Born in the Jhelum District in British India, now located in Pakistan, his family relocated to India following the partition. Gulzar began his professional career as a lyricist with music director S.D. Burman for the 1963 film Bandini. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with numerous music directors, including R.D. Burman, Salil Chowdhury, Vishal Bhardwaj, and A.R. Rahman. As a director, he helmed films such as Aandhi and Mausam during the 1970s, the television series Mirza Ghalib in the 1980s, and Kirdaar in 1993. In addition to his film and television work, he authored the theme song for the Indian animated sitcom Motu Patlu, alongside writing poetry, dialogues, and scripts.
Career overview
Sampooran Singh Kalra, known popularly by his pen name Gulzar, is an Indian poet, lyricist, musician, composer, and film director. He was born in Jhelum District in British India, which is now in Pakistan, and his family moved to India after the partition. His career began when he worked with music director S.D. Burman as a lyricist in the 1963 film Bandini. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with many notable music directors, including R.D. Burman, Salil Chowdhury, Vishal Bhardwaj, and A.R. Rahman.
In addition to his lyric writing, Gulzar has worked extensively across film and television. During the 1970s, he directed films such as Aandhi and Mausam. He later directed the television series Mirza Ghalib in the 1980s, followed by Kirdaar in 1993. Furthermore, he wrote the theme song for the Indian animated sitcom Motu Patlu. Beyond directing and songwriting, Gulzar has also contributed to the industry by writing poetry, dialogues, and scripts.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
168 titles- Daayra (2026) Lyricist
- O'Romeo (2026) Lyricist
- Telugu (2025) Lyricist
- Gustaakh Ishq (2025) Lyricist
- Crazxy (2025) Lyricist
- Sam Bahadur (2023) Lyricist
- Khufiya (2023) Lyricist
- Kuttey (2023) Lyricist
- 8 A.M. Metro (2023) Poem
- Fursat (2023) Lyricist
- Cirkus (2022) Original Story
- Darlings (2022) Lyricist
- Sherdil: The Pilibhit Saga (2022) Lyricist
- 1232 KMs (2021) Lyricist
- Pinaki & Happy - The Bhoot Bandhus (2020) Writer
- Chhapaak (2020) Lyricist
- The Sky Is Pink (2019) Lyricist
- Raazi (2018) Lyricist
- Aami (2018) Lyricist
- Ok Jaanu (2017) Dialogue
- Ok Jaanu (2017) Lyricist
- Rangoon (2017) Lyricist
- Mehrunisa V Lub U (2017) Lyricist
- Roots (2017)
- Dear Zindagi (2016) Lyricist
- Mirzya (2016) Story
- Mirzya (2016) Screenplay
- Kaagaz Ki Kashti (2016) as Himself
- Drishyam (2015) Lyricist
- Talvar (2015) Lyricist
- The Anupam Kher Show (2014) as Himself
- Haider (2014) Lyricist
- Jai Ho (2014) as self
- Kill Dil (2014) Lyricist
- Masoom (2014) Writer
- Celluloid Man (2012) as Self
- 7 Khoon Maaf (2011) Lyricist
- Noukadubi (2011) Lyricist
- Raajneeti (2010) Lyricist
- Raavan (2010) Lyricist
- Ishqiya (2010) Lyricist
- Billu (2009) Lyricist
- Kaminey (2009) Lyricist
- Do Paise Ki Dhoop, Chaar Aane Ki Baarish (2009) Lyricist
- Firaaq (2009) Lyricist
- Slumdog Millionaire (2008) Lyricist
- Yuvvraaj (2008) Lyricist
- Guru (2007) Lyricist
- The Blue Umbrella (2007) Lyricist
- Omkara (2006) Lyricist
- Jaan-E-Mann (2006) Lyricist
- Raincoat (2004) as Poetry (voice)
- Maqbool (2003) Lyricist
- Pinjar (2003) Lyricist
- Saathiya (2002) Dialogue
- Saathiya (2002) Lyricist
- Dil Vil Pyar Vyar (2002) Lyricist
- Fiza (2000) Lyricist
- Choo Lenge Akash (2000) Lyricist
- Rockford (1999) Lyricist
- Hu Tu Tu (1999) Writer
- Hu Tu Tu (1999) Director
- Jahan Tum Le Chalo (1999) Lyricist
- Swapno Niye (1999) Story
- Dil Se.. (1998) Lyricist
- Satya (1998) Lyricist
- Chachi 420 (1997) Dialogue
- Chachi 420 (1997) Lyricist
- Maachis (1996) Director
- Maachis (1996) Screenplay
- Maachis (1996) Story
- Mammo (1994) Lyricist
- Maya Memsaab (1993) Lyricist
- Rudaali (1993) Writer
- Kirdaar (1993) Director
- Kirdaar (1993) Creator
- Pandit Bhimsen Joshi (1992) Director
- Lekin... (1990) Screenplay
- Lekin... (1990) Director
- Mirza Ghalib (1988) Director
- Mirza Ghalib (1988) Writer
- Libaas (1988) Writer
- Libaas (1988) Director
- Zevar (1987) Screenplay
- Ijaazat (1987) Director
- Ijaazat (1987) Screenplay
- Ijaazat (1987) Lyricist
- Ijaazat (1987) Dialogue
- New Delhi Times (1986) Writer
- Ek Pal (1986) Dialogue
- Blind Alley (1984) Dialogue
- Masoom (1983) Screenplay
- Sadma (1983) Dialogue
- Sadma (1983) Lyricist
- Zara Si Zindagi (1983) Dialogue
- Hip Hip Hurray (1983) Writer
- Namkeen (1982) Screenplay
- Namkeen (1982) Director
- Angoor (1982) Director
- Angoor (1982) Screenplay
- Naram Garam (1981) Songs
- Khubsoorat (1980) Writer
- Swayamvar (1980) Lyricist
- Sahira (1980) Director
- Gol Maal (1979) Lyricist
- Griha Pravesh (1979) as Guest Appearance in song
- Griha Pravesh (1979) Original Music Composer
- Meera (1979) Writer
- Meera (1979) Director
- The Jewelled Lamp (1979) Lyricist
- Devata (1978) Writer
- Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein (1977) Writer
- Chala Murari Hero Banne (1977) as Self
- Kinara (1977) Director
- Kitaab (1977) Producer
- Kitaab (1977) Director
- Kitaab (1977) Writer
- Jallian Wala Bagh (1977) as Suneel
- Jallian Wala Bagh (1977) Writer
- Jallian Wala Bagh (1977) Lyricist
- Jallian Wala Bagh (1977) Screenplay
- Uyarnthavargal (1977) Original Story
- Gharaonda (1977) Lyricist
- Gharaonda (1977) Screenplay
- Gharaonda (1977) Dialogue
- Unakkaga Naan (1976) Original Story
- Aandhi (1975) Director
- Aandhi (1975) Screenplay
- Faraar (1975) Story
- Chupke Chupke (1975) Screenplay
- Chupke Chupke (1975) Dialogue
- Cinema Paithiyam (1975) Writer
- Khushboo (1975) Screenplay
- Khushboo (1975) Dialogue
- Khushboo (1975) Director
- Mausam (1975) Screenplay
- Mausam (1975) Director
- Jeevan Sangram (1974) Lyricist
- Jeevan Sangram (1974) Dialogue
- Jeevan Sangram (1974) Screenplay
- Namak Haraam (1973) Dialogue
- Namak Haraam (1973) Screenplay
- Achanak (1973) Writer
- Achanak (1973) Director
- Parichay (1972) Director
- Parichay (1972) Screenplay
- Sabse Bada Sukh (1972) Dialogue
- Koshish (1972) Director
- Koshish (1972) Screenplay
- Anand (1971) Dialogue
- Anand (1971) Screenplay
- Anand (1971) Lyricist
- Mere Apne (1971) Director
- Mere Apne (1971) Writer
- Anubhav (1971) Lyricist
- Guddi (1971) Screenplay
- The Delayed Rhythm (1970) Lyricist
- Khamoshi (1969) Dialogue
- Khamoshi (1969) Musical
- Oos Raat Ke Baad (1969) Lyricist
- Aashirwad (1968) Dialogue
- Sunghursh (1968) Dialogue
- Sannata (1966) Lyricist
- Bandini (1963) Lyricist
- Bandini (1963) Assistant Director
- Kabuliwala (1961) Lyricist
- Parda (1949) as Salma
- Prem Nagar (1940) as Gangi
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Gulzar best known for?
Gulzar is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including O'Romeo (2026), Kurukshetra: The Great War of Mahabharata (2025), Sam Bahadur (2023), Khufiya (2023).
When and where was Gulzar born?
Gulzar was born on August 18, 1934 in Jhelum, Punjab, Pakistan.
How many credits does Gulzar have?
Gulzar has accumulated over 168 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1940 to 2026.
What is Gulzar's background in cinema and television?
Sampooran Singh Kalra, widely known by his pen name Gulzar, is an Indian poet, lyricist, musician, composer, and film director. Born in the Jhelum District in British India, now located in Pakistan, his family relocated to India following the partition. Gulzar began his professional career as a lyricist with music dire...
Gulzar by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Jai Ho (2014) as self — aged about 79
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