Bollywood writer, lyricist Gulzar has been honored with Dada Saheb Phalke award for the year 2013 by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry. Gulzar will be the 45th recipient of the Indian film industry’s highest award.

Gulzar, real name is Sampooran Singh Kalra, began his career in films with the song ‘Mora gora rang layee le’ for Bimal Roy’s classic ‘Bandini’ in 1963. He is very close to music composer RD Burman and has worked for many of his films.

Gulzar was awarded Padma Bhushan in 2004 and  he won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2002. He also won number of National Film Awards and 20 Filmfare Awards to his credits.

At the 81st Academy Awards, Gulzar won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for ‘Jai Ho’ for the movie ‘Slumdog Millionaire’. And the same song won a Grammy Award in same category.

(AW: Vamshi)