File photo of Indian poet Gulzar. PHOTO: AFP/ FILE
Gulzar Thursday wrote the letter titled "Mujh Se Naraz Na Hon" to the founder and organiser of the Karachi Literature Festival, Ameena Saiyid, reported Dawn.
He said it was during his visits to his birthplace Dina and to poet Ahmed Nadim Qasmi's gravesite that he felt "uneasy in the chest".
When the discomfort continued, he decided to go back to Mumbai:"a familiar terrain to meet such contingencies".
Gulzar and Bhardwaj had gone to Pakistan Monday to record a qawwali for the upcoming Bollywood film "Dedh Ishqiya" and the lyricist was also expected to attend the Karachi Literature Festival.
Gulzar said that "while at Lahore, I had taken the opportunity to visit Dina to have a look at the house where I was born and spent my teens and of course the Qaber of my late guru and mentor Ahmed Nadeem Quasmi to pay my respects. I was moved very much by these two visits. As ill-luck would have it, I felt very uneasy in the chest. The uneasiness subsided temporarily at the recording studio".
"We were recording a song for (filmmaker) Vishal with Pakistani singers. The discomfort returned when I reached the hotel. It was 2 a.m. Vishal postponed the recording for a later date some time in March and we impulsively decided to return to Mumbai, which being a familiar terrain to meet such contingencies.
"...I had come fully prepared for the Karachi Literary Festival. But this mishap has disappointed me very much.”
He added: "I am awfully sorry for this, which is beyond my control. With very best wishes for a very successful festival..."
"Dedh Ishqiya", a sequel to the 2010 critically acclaimed film "Ishqiya", features Arshad Warsi and Naseeruddin Shah along with Bollywood's dancing diva Madhuri Dixit in key roles.
COMMENTS (19)
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The link to the letter by Gulzar Sahib is broken. Below is the correct link. Thanks www.facebook.com/KarachiLitFest/posts/522307941147131?notif_t=like
@Vik: Vidya Balan was the lead actress in Ishqiya. In its sequel Dedh Ishqiya, Madhuri dixit is playing the femal protagonist.
@Insaan: well said but be ready to hear from them whether right or wrong always ready fight for reason or not.
Who is he again???
Gulzar Sahib, We Pakistanis admire, respect & love you! May God give a very long life with lots of happiness. Please visit us again. Regards, Raza
Artists are more sensitive than ordinary mortals. I am sorry that the great man Gulzar had to leave in a hurry. I can understand at his age one should not take any chances and be with family and friends ASAP. Every artist and sensitive person can empathize with you and love you unconditionally. They don't come any better than you, sir!
by helping each other( ind n pak) we can achive our goals very easily, especilly with the help of media/drama/film/sports. and gulzar sb is one of the most fav person in both the cuntries. the effort of him will be always appreciabel. the is v unlucky 4 us that he went in emergency bases. bt we are hopeful for the best of us....
we love u gulzar sahib, I can feel , if someone visits his janam bhoomi after long time.
Love U from Pakistan, U are always welcome here.
Get well soon sir. Pakistan sar Zameen always welcome artists like you . May you have a speedy recovery
He is a peace loving man. respect
Wusutullah Khan wrote an excellent piece in bbcurdu on his return. Classic.
noo
"along with Bollywood’s dancing diva Madhuri Dixit" Vidya Balan was the protagonist not Madhuri.
An example how a simple thing can be blown up out of proportion.
@Saad: thats the spirit....sadly most of commentators from this indian side of border lacks the spirit..and i feel ashamed of it.
@Saad: **We forgive you For what?
We forgive you. Please feel better soon!
A gentleman.