Gulshan Bawra was a songwriter and actor in Hindi cinema from the 1960s to the 1990s. He is best known for his songs in films like Khel Khel Mein (1975), Kasme Vaade (1978), and Satte Pe Satta (1982), among others. His most memorable songs include “Mere Desh Ki Dharti” in Upkaar (1968), “Yaari Hai Imaan Mera” in Zanjeer (1974), and many more.
Early Life
Gulshan Bawra was born as Gulshan Kumar Mehta on April 12, 1937, in Sheikhupura, Punjab. Gulshan’s early life was marked by the tragedy of the partition. Witnessing the loss of his father during the riots, he moved to Jaipur with his elder sister, who played a pivotal role in his upbringing.
Gulshan Bawra was born on April 12, 1937, in Sheikhupura, Punjab, which is now Pakistan, 30 kilometers from Lahore. His father, Shri Labh Chand Mehta, ran a construction business. His immediate family included his father and cousins Roop Lal Mehta and Chaman Lal Mehta. The 1947 Partition profoundly impacted his life. Witnessing the loss of his father during the riots. He and his brother came. His elder sister in Jaipur took them in, raising Gulshan and his brother in a new environment.
Gulshan Bawra, interested in poetry from a young age, began to write poems during his college years. After graduating from Delhi University, he joined the Indian Railways as a clerk. After working in Jaipur and Kota, he finally got his posting in Mumbai in 1955. With his job, he also started to try in the film industry. Kalyanji Bhai of the famous duo Kalyanji-Anandji gave him his first break with the song “Main kya jaanu kahan laage yeh saawan matwala re” in Chandrasena (1959).
Gulshan Bawra In Films
His first success came with the film ‘Satta Bazaar‘ in 1959, with songs like “Tumhein yaad hoga kabhi hum mile the” (Lata-Hemant), “Aakde ka dhanda” (Rafi), and “Chandi ke chand tukdon ke liye” (Hemant Kumar). where he penned lyrics that resonated with the masses. It was during that time that he started using his Takhallus (pen name) “Bawra” instead of his surname.
Some of his early songs include “Yeh Sama Yeh Khushi Kuchh Bolo Ji Bolo Ji (Ghar Ghar Ki Baat),” “Chandi Ke Chand Tukdon Ke Liye,” “Tumhen Yaad Hoga Kabhi Hum Mile The,” “Tumhen Yaad Hoga Kabhi Hum Mile The” (Satta Bazar), “Mere Pyar Mein Ya Wafa Na Thi (First Love),” “Yeh Mausam Rangeen Sama (Modern Girl),” “Haseen Waadiyon Fizaaon Se Kah Do (Lal Bangla),” “Dil Sambhale Sambhalta Nahin (Raaz),” and many more.
Over a career spanning four decades, Gulshan Bawra wrote approximately 240 songs, collaborating with renowned music directors like Kalyanji-Anandji, Shankar-Jaikishan, and R.D. Burman. One of his most famous songs came in 1967, when he wrote “Mere Desh Ki Dharti Sona Ugle” in Manoj Kumar‘s Upkaar. Composed by Kalyanji-Anandji and sung by Mahendra Kapoor, this patriotic anthem captured post-independence fervor. Its rustic imagery and soaring chorus celebrated India’s agrarian spirit. The song won Gulshan his first Filmfare Best Lyricist Award and remains a cultural touchstone, often played on national holidays. In Upkar he also wrote “Har Khushi Ho Wahan (Upkaar),” sung by Lata Mangwshkar.
Iconic Songs
Gulshan Bawra’s next big hit was the “Chaandi ki deewar na todi (Viswas, 1969),” sung by Mukesh. This song quickly became the anthem of broken hearts for a generation. In 1973 he wrote lyrics for Prakash Mehra‘s “Zanjeer,” under Kalyanji-Anandji. The film has songs like “Bana Ke Kyon Bigaada Re,” “Chakku Chhuriyan Tez Kara Lo,” “Deewane Hain Deewano Ko Na Ghar Chahiye,” and “Dil Jalon Ka Dil Jala Ke.” The film’s most iconic song was Yaari Hai Imaan Mera, sung by Manna Dey. Bawra described the friendship and loyalty in a beautiful way. Its evocative lyrics and the emotions of great Pran Saab complemented Amitabh Bachchan’s “angry young man” persona. It topped the 1973 Binaca Geetmala list and earned Gulshan his second Filmfare Award.
Then came Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh‘s romance “Khel Khel Mein” (1975). The songs like “Ek Main Aur Ek Tu,” “Hunne Tumko Dekha Tumne Humko Dekha Aise,” and “Khullam Khulla Pyar Karenge Hum Dono” became chartbusters. The song “Khullam Khulla Pyar Karenge” inspired the title of Rishi Kapoor’s autobiography, “Khullam Khulla.”
He also wrote many of Amitabh’s hits like Adalat (1976), Desh Drohi (1978), Kasme Vaade (1978), Satte Pe Satta (1982), Pukar (1983), Toofan (1989), and Indrajeet (1991). Some of the most memorable songs from these films are “Behna O Behna,” “Humka Aisa Waisa Naa Samjho” (Adalat), “Aati Rahengi Bahaaren,” “Kasme Vaade Nibhayenge Hum” (Kasme Vaade), “Dilbar Mere Kab Tak Mujhe,” “Dukki Pe Dukki Ho,” “Pyar Hamen Kis Mod Pe” (Satte pe Satta), “Tu Tu Hai Wahi Dil Ne Jise (Yeh Vaada Raha),” “Bachke Rehna Re Baba,” “Samandar Mein Nahake Aur Bhi Namkeen Ho Gayi Ho,” “Tu maike mat jaiyo” (Pukar), and many more.
Other Songs
Some of his most notable songs come in films like Andhera (1974), Patthar Aur Payal (1974), Rafoo Chakkar (1974), Umar Qaid (1974), Vishwasghaat (1976), Desh Drohi (1978), Yeh Vaada Raha (1982), Agar Tum Na Hote (1983), Awaaz (1984), Boxer (1984), Jalwa (1987), Zalzala (1988), Haqeeqat (1994), and many more.
Some of his iconic songs include “Kar Le Pyar Kar Le Aankhen Char Karle” in (Sachaa Jhutha), “Humko Mohabbat Ho Gayi Hai,” “Waada Kar Le Saajna” (Haath Ki Safai), “Wasta Hi Na Jab Raha Tumse (Chori Chori),” “Ae Zamane Tu Kar Le Sitam Pe Sitam,” “Dil Dena Buri Bala Hai,” “Kisi Pe Dil Agar Aa Jaye To Kya Hota Hai” (Rafoo Chakkar), “Dekhta Hoon Koi Ladki Hasin,” “Jaana O Meri Jaana,” “Kitne Bhi Tu Karle Sitam” (Sanam Teri Kasam), “Agar Tum Na Hote” (Agar Tum Na Hote), “Tu Tu Hai Wahi Dil Ne Jise” (Yeh Vaada Raha), “Tu Rootha To Main Ro Doongi Sanam” (Jawani), and many more.
Gulshan Bawra also worked as an actor in many films like Upkar (1967), Parivar (1967), Vishwas (1969), Pavitra Paapi (1970), Pyar Ki Kahani (1971), Jaane-Anjaane (1971), Jangal Mein Mangal (1972), Shehzada (1972), Agar Tum Na Hote (1983), Boxer (1984), Biwi Ho To Aisi (1988), Indrajeet (1991), and English Babu Desi Mem (1996).
His last hit song was for the film ‘Haqeeqat’ (1995)—Le Pappiyan Jhappiyan Pa le Hum—and his final film release was ‘Zulmi’ (1999).
Personal life
What set Gulshan Bawra apart was his ability to infuse his lyrics with a human touch, making them relatable and timeless. His words were not just heard; they were felt. He had the unique ability to capture the essence of emotions, whether it was the patriotic fervor in ‘Mere Desh Ki Dharti’ or the depth of friendship in ‘Yaari Hai Imaan Mera.’
Gulshan married Anju Bawra, and according to media reports, they had no children. He lived a private life in Bandra, Mumbai, and was known for his mild-mannered, jovial nature. Gulshan died on August 7, 2009, of a heart attack at 72. He maintained close ties with his extended family in Delhi, who were informed after his death.
Gulshan Bawra on IMDB
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