Did you know?: Gulzar receives highest honour in cinema

Veteran lyricist Gulzar has received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest honour in cinema given annually by the Government of India for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema. The 79 year old was overwhelmed and thanked a string of ‘gurus’ and musical geniuses of the past and current generation for contributing to his success story.

Clad in his trademark white kurta pyjama, Gulzar turned towards the audience to take a bow before he approached the stage to receive the Swarna Kamal, INR 1 million and a shawl.

The multitalented yet humble Gulzar started his career in 1956 and is the 45th winner of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.

“There are a few moments in life when for a writer, whose work is to play with words, doesn’t know what words to choose to express gratitude and thank people. I want to say that no person will reach this stage without the support of several people,” he said at the occasion.

He was conferred the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2002 and the Padma Bhushan in 2004. At the 81st Academy Awards (2009), he won the Best Original Song award for Jai Ho from the film Slumdog Millionaire.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 6^th, 2014.

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