Gulzar's Libaas ­ a film made in 1988 but never released ­ finally premiered on Saturday at the International Film Festival of India in Panjim, Goa. The veteran poet-lyricist-filmmaker presented the film with Vishal Bhardwaj and daughter Meghna by his side. “I feel like a school kid appearing for an exam,“ the 80-year-old Dadasaheb Phalke award winner confessed before the screening. “The dubbing quality could be bad. Maybe we might not get to hear some of the dialogue,“ he warned. Gulzar's words were proven wrong as the film was screened without any technical hiccups. “What a relief!“ quipped the filmmaker as the end credits rolled.

Set in Mumbai, Libaas stars Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi as a married couple working in theatre together. The marriage begins to crumble as the conflict on stage begins to seep into the reality of the duo's life. Things get worse when Naseer's wealthy, charming best friend, played by Raj Babbar, enters the scene and is attracted to the character played by Shabana, with whom he starts a relationship.

Although the film was in the cans for so long, its music found a way to the hearts of people and the film is today remembered for songs like Phir kisi shakh ne, Khamosh sa afsana and Silli Hawa Chhoo Gai, composed by RD Burman. “Pancham da yaad aa gaye,“ an emotional Gulzar said after receiving a fiveminute standing ovation.

He admitted that his biggest fear was that the film might look dated. “But whoever has written it did a bloody good job!“ smiled the writer-director of the film, pointing out that even after almost three decades, the themes it explores ­ the disintegration of marriage, infidelity, the thin line that separates reality from fiction--remain relevant. “Human relations are so incredibly complex, there are several layers which you can keep uncovering. It will never go out of fashion. What excites me is the study of human nature ­ it is something I draw from real life. It never fails me.“

Right from the producer not being able to secure a release, to the Censor Board deeming it too 'bold' for public consumption, there are several theories about why the film was in cold storage for so long. The film's producer Vikas Mohan says, “Gulzar's last few films had flopped. So we couldn't take the risk of releasing it then.“ But ask Gulzar about it and he ducks the question with his trademark wit. “Libaas was in the dry-cleaning. It took a while. I'm glad it's out now,“ he laughs.