Veteran lyricist-poet Gulzar, who at 91 remains discerning about the projects he chooses, is set to return to writing lyrics for a children’s film titled Masab Tank. Speaking at his Bandra bungalow, Gulzar reflects on why writing for children continues to matter deeply to him. “It’s not just a desire or an ambition, it is an obligation. Unfortunately, it is treated in a very left-handed way by writers.”

Explaining what drew him to Masab Tank, Gulzar shares, “Masab Tank is an area in Hyderabad where children’s playgrounds have been taken away and replaced by buildings. This project really touched my heart,” he says.

Having penned some of the most memorable children’s songs in Indian cinema — from Lakdi Ki Kaathi (Masoom, 1983) to Jungle Jungle Pata Chala Hai from the iconic 1990s television series The Jungle Book — Gulzar says his engagement with children’s writing is far from over. “Writing for children will continue till I grow up enough to be a child again,” he smiles.

He hopes his protégé, filmmaker-composer Vishal Bhardwaj, will carry the baton forward. “I hope Vishal continues making films for children like The Blue Umbrella (2007). He has that rare sensitivity required to create songs that truly connect with children,” Gulzar says.

The concern for children, Gulzar adds, runs through his family as well. His son-in-law, businessman Govind Sandhu has written a book inspired by the plight of children affected by war in Gaza and Ukraine, while his daughter, filmmaker Meghna Gulzar, has authored a book focusing on differently-abled children.

Gulzar also speaks passionately about his long association with Arushi, an institute for specially-abled children. “I came across the institute while making my film Koshish (1972). Every year, these children come to the city to participate in a marathon, and I have been walking alongside them for almost two decades,” he says.

As for future collaborations, when asked whether audiences will see him working with Meghna on her upcoming film Daayra, starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran, Gulzar reveals that it may have to wait. “She said that her script doesn’t allow for any songs. So that collaboration will have to wait,” he ends.