Sampooran Singh Kalra or Gulzar as well know his has been selected for the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award, which is the highest official recognition for film personalities in India.
Dada Saheb Phalke Award is presented by the government for outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema. Bimal Julka, secretary, ministry of information and broadcasting, congratulated Gulzar on the momentous occasion.
It is very fulfilling as the award is not about just one film or a song. That is gratifying for any creative person and reassuring too,” said Gulzar about receiving the highest honour for cinema in India for 2013.
Director, Lyricist, Poet and Author Gulzar has been awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in the year 2002, the Padma Bhushan in the year 2004 for his contribution to the arts, five National Film Awards and twenty Filmfare Awards.
At the 81st Academy Awards, he won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for Jai Ho, which he shared with A.R. Rahman, for the movie Slumdog Millionaire. On January 31, 2010, the same song won him a Grammy Award in the category of Grammy Award for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media.
Raakhee Gulzar, is elated and stated, “People have been calling to congratulate me and I am thanking them on his behalf. I am so happy today. Whether it is poetry, lyric writing or cinema, his work has a unique stamp.”
“He is one of the most prolific creative persons in the country. Apart from cinematography, he has done everything. This kind of commitment is rare.” said filmmaker and theatre personality Salim Arif, who has adapted Gulzar‘s works for the stage.
Gulzar, began his career in films with his song Mora Gora Rang Layee Le for Bimal Roy’s classic Bandini in 1963. Then his work in the Hindi film world started with writing songs dialogues and also scripts. Later on, he took to direction as well. As a lyricist, Gulzar is best known for his connection with music director Rahul Dev Burman.
We take this opportunity to congratulate this maestro.
