Sampooran Singh Kalra known popularly by his pen name Gulzar, is an Indian poet, lyricist, musician, composer and film director. Born in Jhelum District in British India (now in Pakistan) his family moved to India after partition. He started his career with music director S.D. Burman as a lyricist in the 1963 film Bandini and worked with many music directors including R. D. Burman, Salil Chowdhury, Vishal Bhardwaj and A. R. Rahman. He directed films such as Aandhi and Mausam during the 1970s and the TV series Mirza Ghalib in the 1980s. He also directed Kirdaar in 1993. He also wrote the theme song for Motu Patlu, an Indian animated sitcom. Gulzar also wrote poetry, dialogues and scripts. He was awarded Padma Bhushan in 2004, the third-highest civilian award in India, the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award — the highest award in Indian cinema. He has won several Indian National Film Awards, 20 Filmfare Awards, one Academy Award and one Grammy Award.

Filmography

• 2026Daayra — Lyricist
• 2026O'Romeo — Lyricist
• 2025Crazxy — Lyricist
• 2025Gustaakh Ishq — Lyricist
• Kurukshetra: The Great War of Mahabharata — Lyricist
• 20238 A.M. Metro — Poem
• 2023Fursat — Lyricist
• 2023Khufiya — Lyricist
• 2023Kuttey — Lyricist
• 2023Sam Bahadur — Lyricist
• 2022Cirkus — Original Story
• 2022Darlings — Lyricist
• 2022Sherdil: The Pilibhit Saga — Lyricist
• 20211232 KMs — Lyricist
• 2020Chhapaak — Lyricist
• Pinaki & Happy - The Bhoot Bandhus — Writer
• 2019The Sky Is Pink — Lyricist
• 2018Aami — Lyricist
• 2018Raazi — Lyricist
• 2017Mehrunisa V Lub U — Lyricist
• 2017Ok Jaanu — Dialogue, Lyricist
• 2017Rangoon — Lyricist
• 2017Roots
• 2016Dear Zindagi — Lyricist
• 2016Mirzya — Story, Screenplay
• 2015Drishyam — Lyricist
• 2015Talvar — Lyricist
• 2014Haider — Lyricist
• 2014Kill Dil — Lyricist
• 2014Masoom — Writer
• 20117 Khoon Maaf — Lyricist
• 2011Noukadubi — Lyricist
• 2010Ishqiya — Lyricist
• 2010Raajneeti — Lyricist
• 2010Raavan — Lyricist
• 2009Billu — Lyricist
• 2009Do Paise Ki Dhoop, Chaar Aane Ki Baarish — Lyricist
• 2009Firaaq — Lyricist
• 2009Kaminey — Lyricist
• 2008Slumdog Millionaire — Lyricist
• 2008Yuvvraaj — Lyricist
• 2007Guru — Lyricist
• 2007The Blue Umbrella — Lyricist
• 2006Jaan-E-Mann — Lyricist
• 2006Omkara — Lyricist
• 2004Raincoat — Poetry (voice)
• 2003Maqbool — Lyricist
• 2003Pinjar — Lyricist
• 2002Dil Vil Pyar Vyar — Lyricist
• 2002Saathiya — Dialogue, Lyricist
• 2000Choo Lenge Akash — Lyricist
• 2000Fiza — Lyricist
• 1999Hu Tu Tu — Writer, Director
• 1999Jahan Tum Le Chalo — Lyricist
• 1999Rockford — Lyricist
• 1999Swapno Niye — Story
• 1998Dil Se.. — Lyricist
• 1998Satya — Lyricist
• 1997Chachi 420 — Dialogue, Lyricist
• 1996Maachis — Director, Screenplay, Story
• 1994Mammo — Lyricist
• Kirdaar — Director, Creator
• 1993Maya Memsaab — Lyricist
• 1993Rudaali — Writer
• 1992Pandit Bhimsen Joshi — Director
• 1990Lekin... — Screenplay, Director
• 1988Libaas — Writer, Director
• Mirza Ghalib — Director, Writer
• 1987Ijaazat — Director, Screenplay, Lyricist, Dialogue
• 1987Zevar — Screenplay
• 1986Ek Pal — Dialogue
• 1986New Delhi Times — Writer
• 1984Blind Alley — Dialogue
• 1983Hip Hip Hurray — Writer
• 1983Masoom — Screenplay
• 1983Sadma — Dialogue, Lyricist
• 1983Zara Si Zindagi — Dialogue
• 1982Angoor — Director, Screenplay
• 1982Namkeen — Screenplay, Director
• 1981Naram Garam — Songs
• 1980Khubsoorat — Writer
• 1980Sahira — Director
• 1980Swayamvar — Lyricist
• 1979Gol Maal — Lyricist
• 1979Griha Pravesh — Guest Appearance in song, Original Music Composer
• 1979Meera — Writer, Director
• 1979The Jewelled Lamp — Lyricist
• 1978Devata — Writer
• 1977Gharaonda — Lyricist, Screenplay, Dialogue
• 1977Jallian Wala Bagh — Suneel, Writer, Lyricist, Screenplay
• 1977Kinara — Director
• 1977Kitaab — Producer, Director, Writer
• 1977Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein — Writer
• 1977Uyarnthavargal — Original Story
• 1976Unakkaga Naan — Original Story
• 1975Aandhi — Director, Screenplay
• 1975Chupke Chupke — Screenplay, Dialogue
• 1975Cinema Paithiyam — Writer
• 1975Faraar — Story
• 1975Khushboo — Screenplay, Dialogue, Director
• 1975Mausam — Screenplay, Director
• 1974Jeevan Sangram — Lyricist, Dialogue, Screenplay
• 1973Achanak — Writer, Director
• 1973Namak Haraam — Dialogue, Screenplay
• 1972Koshish — Director, Screenplay
• 1972Parichay — Director, Screenplay
• 1972Sabse Bada Sukh — Dialogue
• 1971Anand — Dialogue, Screenplay, Lyricist
• 1971Anubhav — Lyricist
• 1971Guddi — Screenplay
• 1971Mere Apne — Director, Writer
• 1970The Delayed Rhythm — Lyricist
• 1969Khamoshi — Dialogue, Musical
• 1969Oos Raat Ke Baad — Lyricist
• 1968Aashirwad — Dialogue
• 1968Sunghursh — Dialogue
• 1966Sannata — Lyricist
• 1963Bandini — Lyricist, Assistant Director
• 1961Kabuliwala — Lyricist
• 1949Parda — Salma
• 1940Prem Nagar — Gangi

Appearances as themselves (5)

• 2016Kaagaz Ki Kashti — Himself
• 2014Jai Ho — self
• The Anupam Kher Show — Himself
• 2012Celluloid Man — Self
• 1977Chala Murari Hero Banne — Self