Overview

• Gulzar, 90, was honored with the 58th Jnanpith Award at his Bandra residence after missing the official New Delhi ceremony due to health issues.
• The award, India’s highest literary distinction, includes a citation plaque, ₹11 lakh cash prize, and a bronze replica of Vagdevi Saraswati.
• In his Urdu acceptance speech, Gulzar highlighted the need to value and connect with India’s diverse regional languages, praising their literary depth.
• The informal ceremony was attended by Bharatiya Jnanpith trustees, close friends, and family, including filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj and his wife Rekha.
• Gulzar’s illustrious career spans Urdu poetry, Hindi cinema, and numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, Grammy, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.