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.
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Biography from TMDB.
- August 18, 1934 (92)
- Jhelum, Punjab, Pakistan
- Writer and director, also actor, composer and producer
- 45 on MovieCove · 124 credits in all
Known for
What are Gulzar's films like?
Across their 18 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Survival.
Themes
What they feel like to watch
Ironic 0 · Wry 0 · Earnest 18
Light 2 · Serious 8 · Dark 8
Grounded 13 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 1
Gentle 3 · Charged 12 · Intense 3
A split, not a type: Steady 10 · Shifting 7 · Whiplash 1
Straight-faced 12 · Some laughs 6 · Funny 0
Slow burn 13 · Even-paced 5 · Relentless 0
Casual 7 · Engaged 11 · Full focus 0
A split, not a type: Easy watch 3 · Affecting 7 · Heavy 8
Resolved 14 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 0
Moods and endings
- Happy6
- Bittersweet7
- Tragic2
- Ambiguous3
AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.
Where can I watch Gulzar's films?
As of October 24, 2026, 28 of their 45 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Netflix (19).
- Kurukshetra (2025) · writer
- Talvar (2015) · writer
- Omkara (2006) · writer
- The Sky Is Pink (2019) · writer
- Raazi (2018) · writer
- Guru (2007) · writer
- Dil Se.. (1998) · writer
- Dear Zindagi (2016) · writer
- Do Paise Ki Dhoop, Chaar Aane Ki Baarish (2009) · writer, composer
- Saathiya (2002) · writer
- Darlings (2022) · writer
- Sherdil (2022) · writer
- +7 more
Subscription and free streaming for Gulzar's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.
Filmography
124 credits, 45 with a MovieCove page; 5 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.
Daayra(2026)
Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films
O' Romeo(2026)
Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films
Gustaakh Ishq(2025)
Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films
Kurukshetra(2025)
Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows
Crazxy(2025)
Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films
Sam Bahadur (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)
Khufiya(2023)
Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films
8 A.M. Metro (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)
Fursat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)
Kuttey(2023)
Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films
Cirkus(2022)
Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films
Darlings(2022)
Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films
Sherdil(2022)
Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films
1232 KMs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)
Pinaki & Happy - The Bhoot Bandhus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)
Chhapaak(2020)
Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films
The Sky Is Pink(2019)
Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films
Raazi(2018)
Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films
Aami (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)
Mehrunisa V Lub U (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)
Rangoon(2017)
Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all filmsRoots (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)
OK Jaanu(2017)
Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films
Dear Zindagi(2016)
Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films
Mirzya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)
Talvar(2015)
Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films
Drishyam(2015)
Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films
Kill Dil(2014)
Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films
Haider (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)
Masoom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)
Kya Dilli Kya Lahore(2014)
Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films
Noukadubi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)
7 Khoon Maaf(2011)
Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films
Raavan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)
Raajneeti (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)
Ishqiya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)
Kaminey(2009)
Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films
Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films
Firaaq (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)
Billu(2009)
Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films
Yuvvraaj (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)
Slumdog Millionaire(2008)
Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films
The Blue Umbrella (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)
Guru(2007)
Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films
Jaan-E-Mann (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)
Omkara(2006)
Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films
Raincoat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)
Pinjar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)
Maqbool(2003)
Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films
Saathiya(2002)
Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films
Dil Vil Pyar Vyar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)
Fiza (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)
Choo Lenge Akash (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)
Swapno Niye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)
Rockford (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)
Hu Tu Tu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)
Jahan Tum Le Chalo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)
Dil Se..(1998)
Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films
Satya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)
Chachi 420 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)
Maachis (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)
Mammo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)
Kirdaar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)
Maya(1993)
Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films
Rudaali(1993)
Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films
Pandit Bhimsen Joshi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)
Lekin... (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)
Mirza Ghalib (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)
Libaas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)
Ijaazat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)
Zevar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)
Ek Pal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)
New Delhi Times (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)
Blind Alley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)
Hip Hip Hurray(1984)
Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films
Sadma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)
Masoom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)
Zara Si Zindagi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)
Namkeen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)
Angoor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)
Naram Garam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)
Swayamvar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)
Khubsoorat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)
Sahira (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)
The Jewelled Lamp (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)
Griha Pravesh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)
Meera(1979)
Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films
Gol Maal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)
Devata (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)
Ghar(1978)
Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films
Kitaab(1977)
Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films
Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)
Kinara(1977)
Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films
Jallian Wala Bagh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)
Uyarnthavargal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)
Gharaonda (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)
Unakkaga Naan(1976)
The Season(1975)
Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films
Faraar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)
Khushboo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)
Chupke Chupke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)
Aandhi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)
Cinema Paithiyam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)
Jeevan Sangram (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)
Namak Haraam(1973)
Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films
Achanak (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)
Sabse Bada Sukh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)
Parichay(1972)
Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films
Koshish (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)
Guddi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)
Mere Apne (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)
Anand (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)
Anubhav (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)
Andaz(1971)
Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films
The Delayed Rhythm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)
Oos Raat Ke Baad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)
Khamoshi(1969)
Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films
Sunghursh(1968)
Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films
Aashirwad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)
Sannata (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)
Bandini (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)
Kabuliwala (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)
Parda(1949)
Prem Nagar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)
Career shape
A full career of 121 titles from 1940 to 2026.
Film career
- 2004Screen debut· Raincoat
Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.
How do Gulzar's films land?
Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 81st percentile, the median of the 42 of 44 with a score; across their 17 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 75th percentile for acclaim.
- 75th and up26
- 50th to 74th11
- 25th to 49th5
- Below 25th1
Shape of the crowd
15 of their 43 titles are Universally Loved.
- Universally Loved15
- Loved with Detractors2
- Divisive2
- Cult Classic3
- Crowd Pleaser9
- Mixed12
Reviewers score the dialogue 64/100 and the plot and story 62/100 in their films, across 16 reviewed titles. The element that speaks to their work as a writer.
Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.
Who does Gulzar work with?
People who share at least 2 of Gulzar's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Rahul Dev Burman shares the most, 5.
Directors
- Shaad AliShared titles: OK Jaanu (2017), Saathiya (2002)See all 2 shared titles with Shaad Ali
Writers
- Bhushan BanmaliShared titles: Meera (1979), Kinara (1977), Kitaab (1977), The Season (1975)See all 4 shared titles with Bhushan Banmali
- Mani RatnamShared titles: OK Jaanu (2017), Saathiya (2002)See all 2 shared titles with Mani Ratnam
- Mahasweta DeviShared titles: Rudaali (1993), Sunghursh (1968)See all 2 shared titles with Mahasweta Devi
- D.N. MukherjeeShared titles: Namak Haraam (1973), Parichay (1972)See all 2 shared titles with D.N. Mukherjee
Actors
- Dina PathakShared titles: Meera (1979), Kinara (1977), Kitaab (1977), The Season (1975)See all 4 shared titles with Dina Pathak
- Om ShivpuriShared titles: Meera (1979), Kinara (1977), The Season (1975), Namak Haraam (1973)See all 4 shared titles with Om Shivpuri
- Hema MaliniShared titles: Meera (1979), Kinara (1977), Andaz (1971)See all 3 shared titles with Hema Malini
- Shreeram LagooShared titles: Meera (1979), Kinara (1977), Kitaab (1977)See all 3 shared titles with Shreeram Lagoo
Composers, cinematographers and editors
- Rahul Dev BurmanShared titles: Ghar (1978), Kinara (1977), Kitaab (1977), Namak Haraam (1973), Parichay (1972)See all 5 shared titles with Rahul Dev Burman
- Gurudutt ShiraliShared titles: Meera (1979), Ghar (1978), The Season (1975), Parichay (1972)See all 4 shared titles with Gurudutt Shirali
- K. VaikunthShared titles: Meera (1979), The Season (1975), Parichay (1972), Andaz (1971)See all 4 shared titles with K. Vaikunth
- Waman B. BhosleShared titles: Meera (1979), Ghar (1978), The Season (1975), Parichay (1972)See all 4 shared titles with Waman B. Bhosle
Producers
- Pranlal V. MehtaShared titles: Kinara (1977), Kitaab (1977)See all 2 shared titles with Pranlal V. Mehta
Mixed roles
- Deepti NavalShared titles: Do Paise Ki Dhoop, Chaar Aane Ki Baarish (2009), Hip Hip Hurray (1984)See all 2 shared titles with Deepti Naval
