The vacuum in his heart: When Gulzar wasn’t informed about his father’s death by his family

Veteran lyricist-filmmaker Gulzar is a literary genius without a doubt. His writing in films, be it the lyrics or dialogues, have always added the much-needed dimension to the movie and its characters. We can see the magic of the same in movies like ‘Khamoshi’, ‘Anand’, ‘Aandhi’, ‘Masoom’ (1981), ‘Ijaazat’, and many more. His life journey is certainly a remarkable and an inspiring one for all who know about his struggle in his initial days of career in Hindi film industry. However, not many would be aware that it was during this period that Gulzar had lost his father Makhan Singh Kalra. But, shockingly, his family didn’t inform him about it and he couldn’t attend his father’s last rites.

Recalling this incident in a book titled ‘Housefull: The Golden Age of Hindi Cinema’, Gulzar has said, “When my father passed away in Delhi, I was working with Bimalda (Bimal Roy) as an assistant in Bombay. My family did not inform me about it. My elder brother who lived in Bombay, and who knew what had happened, took a flight out the same day.” [sic] (Also Read: When Naseeruddin Shah opened up his heart to his late father at his grave)

“I was informed by one of our neighbours in Delhi a few days later. Immediately, I rushed home by train. In those days, Frontier Mail, the fastest train to Delhi, took 24 hours to cover the distance. By the time I reached home, everything was over,” added the lyricist-filmmaker. [sic]

Reportedly, it has been heard that Gulzar’s job as an assistant to Bimal Roy was his first project in films and his family didn’t want him to leave it and come back to Delhi. The reason being he had already struggled a lot till he had got this work. After his father’s death, Gulzar returned to Mumbai with a vacuum in his heart. He has said, “I never cremated my father, so he lived on, as dead. It weighed on my body.” [sic]

But, after five long years there was a time when Gulzar could finally fulfill his duties as a son. His mentor, late filmmaker Bimal Roy, was counting his last living days and after his death, it was Gulzar who carried out the legendary filmmaker’s last rites. “Every night I used to cry as cancer consumed Bimalda, bit by bit. All along, I was there beside him, reading his favourite script – ‘Amrit Kumbh’. On January 8, 1966, when he died, we cremated him, and with him, I cremated my father,” says Gulzar. [sic]

Indeed, it is such a heart-wrenching incident and a very emotional story to remember.

Amod Pandit

Quiet, resonant, and creative, he can be seen immersed in his own world, and puts in his heart and soul into the one passion that he has, Bollywood. His line for survival? Feel happy to be a part of it.