Gulzar has always carried a deep affection for the poetry of Mirza Ghalib and for many years, he hoped to bring the 19th century poet’s life to the screen. But the story behind the making of the celebrated 1988 TV series Mirza Ghalib is far more personal, emotional and unexpected than most people know. For Gulzar, it wasn’t just a project, it was a journey shaped by fate, friendship and a young actor’s unwavering belief in himself.
Speaking at an event hosted by Divya Dutta, with Javed Akhtar seated in the audience, Gulzar recounted how the idea first began as a film he wanted to create with his close friend and trusted collaborator Sanjeev Kumar. He remembered how Sanjeev Kumar would tell him he never needed to hear a script because he trusted Gulzar completely. But the producer eventually backed out and the project came to a standstill. Years passed and the dream of exploring Mirza Ghalib’s life seemed to drift further away until television changed everything. With the rise of long-form TV serials, Gulzar felt he finally had the space to tell Mirza Ghalib’s story with the depth it deserved.
Around the same time, Gulzar had taken note of a young Naseeruddin Shah after watching him in an FTII diploma film. He sensed that Naseeruddin Shah had the emotional gravity required to portray Ghalib. But convincing the producer was not easy. The producer insisted on casting someone “handsome”, while Gulzar argued that what the role needed was not glamour but a powerful performer. Many disagreed with his choice but Gulzar stood firm, so firm that he refused to continue with the project if Naseeruddin Shah wasn’t cast.
The situation became more dramatic when Naseeruddin Shah himself entered the picture. Gulzar recalled sitting with the producer when Naseeruddin Shah walked in, reminding him of a letter he had written as a college student. In that letter, Naseeruddin Shah claimed Sanjeev Kumar wasn’t the right choice because Mirza Ghalib “wasn’t fat” and boldly declared that Gulzar should wait for him to enter the industry. He told Gulzar that the letter was probably lost in the pile of fan mail but that his conviction remained the same. Naseeruddin Shah said he would only play Ghalib if he was paid exactly what he had asked for and that, if rejected, he wouldn’t allow anyone else to take up the role either.
The producer was angry but Gulzar saw something else entirely. He saw the spark, the pride, the stubbornness, the very temperament he associated with Mirza Ghalib. As Gulzar put it, this wasn’t Naseeruddin Shah speaking, it was Ghalib himself standing before them. That moment sealed the casting.
Gulzar went on to praise Naseeruddin Shah’s remarkable ability to disappear into his roles. Mentioning films like Pestonjee, Sparsh and Mirza Ghalib, he said that Naseeruddin Shah vanishes completely, leaving behind only the character.
Looking back, Gulzar believes it was destiny that led him to Naseeruddin Shah and to television, the perfect medium and the perfect actor to bring Mirza Ghalib’s world to life.
