Sahir Ludhianvi Lives On Stage In A Play ‘Parchhayiyaan’

Eminent poet and lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi, was truly one of the most gifted poets Indian Cinema has ever witnessed. The greatness of Sahir, as a poet, lies in his mastery over vocabulary. Unlike other contemporary poets of his era, Sahir’s language was his command because it could be easily understood even by the layman.

Be it a romantic song (Kabhi kabhi Mere Dil Mein Khayaal…); a political satire (Jinhe naaz hai hind par vo kaha hai….); , genuine grief (Woh subah kabhi toh aayegi….) or a blunt rage (Yeh mahalon yeh takhton…), Sahir expressed every emotion in powerful words that made him the people’s poet and also one of the most favorite and the highest paid lyricists of Bollywood

Listen to Sahir Ludhianvi Songs on Raaga.com

His popularity does not end here, even 34 years after his demise on October 25, 1980; Sahir continues to live among his fans in a play aptly titled Parchhayiyaan - A tribute to Sahir Ludhianvi. Written and directed by Suhail Akhtar Warsi’s the play is attracting Sahir Ludhianvi admirers in India.

The 90 minutes takes the audiences through Ludhianvi’s life - from a difficult childhood, using that melancholy to turn into a poet, to a tumultuous love life, being a part of the Progressive Writers Movement and his grand success as a lyricist in Bollywood

Tom Alter better recognized as the Bollywood’s only actor to perform most Englishman role in Bollywood movies like KRANTI, KARMA, SHATRANJ KE KHILARI etc. re-lives Sahir on stage. Though Tom Alter played Englishman roles but few know that he has a mastery over Urdu language hence Suhail Akhtar Warsi zeroed upon him. 

Suhail Akhtar Warsi says, “My first choice for the role was Farooq Sheikh. Since Sheikh wasn’t comfortable with a lot of poetry, the role went to Alter. But I must confess Alter has added strength and energy to the character.” 

Alter applauding the play said, “The play brings to the stage the life and times of a man who lived large and wrote some of the finest lyrics the Hindi film industry has heard. I am very lucky I got the opportunity to do the role. However my only regret is that I could never really get a chance to meet Ludhianvi.”

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