Actor Jackie Shroff celebrates Gulzar's birthday with a warm message

Mumbai – Gulzar, the legendary poet, lyricist and filmmaker, celebrated his birthday on Tuesday, an event that was highlighted by actor Jackie Shroff's affectionate Instagram tribute. Shroff posted a snapshot of the veteran writer and added the caption, "Gulzar Sahib, wishing you an infinite happy birthday. You will forever stay in our hearts."

Sampuran Singh Kalra, better known as Gulzar, was born in 1934 in Diwana, Punjab (now in Pakistan). His versatile body of work stretches across verses, film lyrics, screenplays, and direction, influencing generations of Indian cinema and literature.

His early years in Mumbai saw him working as a car mechanic, a humble start before he entered the creative field as an assistant to Bimal Roy. The partnership with music director S.D. Burman for *Bandini* (1963) marked his entry as a lyricist, with the song "Mora Gora Ang Lele" gaining immediate acclaim.

Over the decades Gulzar authored lyrics for iconic films such as *Anand*, *Mausam*, *Omkara*, *Kaminey*, *Guru*, and *Slumdog Millionaire*, and scripted dialogues for classics like *Aashiqui* and *Khamoshi*. Jackie Shroff's simple yet sincere birthday wish captures the deep admiration that colleagues and fans alike hold for Gulzar's enduring legacy.