‘Bollywood’s Gustakh Ishq sought my permission to use my poetry,’ reveals Pakistani poet Umair Najmi

Pakistani poet Umair Najmi has revealed that the Bollywood film Gustakh Ishq used his poetry with formal permission and under a signed agreement, for which he was also paid.

Speaking on a private television podcast, Najmi said director Vibhav Puri contacted him in 2023 through a poet friend in India, expressing his wish to include his verses in the film. He was sent the full script, shown exactly where the poetry would appear, and asked for his input.

After reading the script, Najmi suggested changes to better suit the two central characters, a senior poet and a young aspiring poet, played by Naseeruddin Shah and Vijay Varma respectively.

The director accepted his suggestions.

The verses performed by Vijay Varma in the film included “Bichhar gaye to ye dil umr bhar lagega nahin” and “Hai koi jis se teri yaari na ho”, while Naseeruddin Shah recited “Bade tahammul se rafta rafta nikalna hai.”

Najmi said that there were four couplets in total spread across the film.

He admitted that when the offer first came, he was not sure whether it was genuine. “At first I wondered if the offer was real, but once I received the full script and saw the seriousness of the process, I realised it was,” he said.

Najmi recalled that he felt the film was the right platform because its story revolved around the bond between a master poet and a student, and having actors of that stature recite his words carried real weight.

He also noted that the film is available on Netflix, giving his poetry a global audience through subtitles.

On the question of credit and payment, Najmi confirmed both were honoured as agreed. He said that even without payment, seeing his name on screen alongside Gulzar, whose work also features in the film, would have been enough. “Growing up, I would see Gulzar’s name on screen, and now my name is written beneath it. That alone is a proud moment,” he said.

He also acknowledged the integrity of the filmmakers. “They could easily have used the poetry without asking, as often happens, but instead they reached out, sought permission, shared the script, and kept me involved throughout. That sincerity is the reason the work turned out so well,” he opined.

Gustakh Ishq was released in late 2024 and stars Vijay Varma and Naseeruddin Shah.