because he is...

by Meghana Gulzar

Genres: Biography

182 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[rahul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wo jo shayar tha


Wo jo shayar tha, chup sa rehta tha
Behki behki si baatein karta tha
Ankho kaano pe rakh ke sunta tha
Goongi khamoshiyon ki awaazein

Jamaa karta tha chaand ki
Geeli geeli se noor ki boondein
Okh me bhar ke khadkhadata tha
Rookhe rookhe se raat ke patte

Waqt ke is ghanere jungle me
Kache pakke se lamhe chunta tha
Haan wohi wo ajeeb sa shayar
Raat ko uth ke kohniyon ke bal
Chaand ki thodi chooma karta tha

Chand se gir ke mar gaya hai wo
Log kehte hain Khudkushi kee hai.

[Dhanya MG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Certain books just appear before you in specific times to rush one out of the depths of depression
Read this when everything around seemed a lot bleak & anxiety started creeping up...What an emotional & nostalgic feel this gave
The author has all credit to bring out such a diverse & eventful life so beautifully & tender...Gulzar sahb will always be a favourite foe the songs & the movies as I haven't read a lot of his works which I am planning to soon.
This is definitely a starry eyed version but I don't think there can ever be a different version...
The book is an epitome of dignity in writing...As her movies, she doesn't compromise on that..Never takes sides or blames anyone...Life as beautiful as a Gulzar lyric

[Rohit · Rating 5 out of 5]

A drug for all those who love the living legend Gulzar. I specifically liked the part and the way Meghna's parents' separation has been mentioned.

Dont think twice. Pick this up!

[Rohini Biswas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books cannot be reviewed. 'Because he is' by Meghna Gulzar is one such book for me. The moment I held the book in my hands, my heart skipped a beat. The hard cover, glossy papers, pictures of Gulzar sahab's most intimate and cherished memories, fables of his friends and family, and a few unpublished poems- my experience with this book was surreal to say the least.

While reading the book I smiled and I cried. I was happy and emotional. And now, I'm out of words to express my feelings. Gulzar sahab has been my inspiration and my muse since the time I can remember. Anything written by him, for him or on him is like a holy book for me. And this book now has a special place in my heart and bookshelf, forever!

While reading about Gulzar sahab's parenting, I realised how similar my father has been to me in my formative years. Like Gulzar sahab, he too has captured my growing-up years in great detail in his diaries. He has, so delicately, preserved my childhood handwriting, paper cuttings of newspapers whenever my name or picture got published, and every teeny-tiny incident of my childhood!

I resonate so much with the poem Meghna has written for her father.

I can, because he believes.
I am, because he is!

[Kranthi Reddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gulzar sahab ke kuch gaane aur nazm sunke hi uski gehraayi kenbaare mein Jaan ne ke liye, ye kitaab padha. Jab koi kalaakaar ek beti ko bada karta hai, usmein alg hi style hota hai. Uske kaam, kavitaayein, aur jeevan bhar ke rachana bhandaar, uske jeevan mein shaamil hue log aur har din likhne ki aadat, schedule maintain karna aur usme parivar ko zara bhi neglect nahi karna - all these make Gulzar a legend and a human we can aspire to be!!

[Neha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was done with reading for 2021 but found this and thought to read it as my last one. I think I have read it earlier from the strong déjà vu. Full of pictures and heartwarming little anecdotes about Gulzar and his daughter, there is something so strong and soft about the father-daughter relationship. No words can do justice except the words are from the wordsmith like Gulzar.

[Sindhu S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was supposed to read Jiya Jale: The Stories of Songs by Gulzar to end 2021. I love all his films and the songs he has written. What he does with lyrics is pure magic but he is also a prolific writer, proficient in so many genres.
However, I was tempted to read Meghna’s book first. It did not disappoint.
It was wonderful seeing Gulzar and getting to know more about his life through her eyes. The bond between him and Meghna is strong and endearing, as is Gulzar’s parenting style.
Make no mistake, this is a daughter’s book about a father she adores. Her account is biased. There are many shortcomings in it but if you are a Gulzar fan like me, you forgive them.
It is a well-written personal description of Gulzar’s life as a parent. It is full of entertaining anecdotes, rare photos, and published and unpublished poems. It is also a memoir of Meghna’s life.

[Rahul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gulzar is great, but this book is not interesting

[Pragati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only a daughter could have written this for her father. Wonderful, heartfelt and endearingly simple. The constant parallel I could draw while reading it was that Scout, from 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is writing a book on Atticus!