Some cities are merely places we inhabit. Others become companions, shaping our memories, language, and identity. For Gulzar, Mumbai has been all of that and more.
For over seven decades, the city once called Bombay has served as the backdrop to one of India’s most remarkable creative journeys. It has inspired his poetry, informed his stories, and quietly witnessed the evolution of a literary and cinematic legend whose words have become woven into the cultural fabric of India.
Now, in Aamchi Mumbai, readers are invited to experience the city through Gulzar’s deeply personal lens. This beautifully curated bilingual collection brings together twenty-five short stories and thirty-six poems that celebrate Mumbai in all its complexity, its crowded streets and quiet corners, its dreams and disappointments, its resilience and relentless movement.
What makes this collection particularly special is that the selections have been handpicked and arranged by Gulzar himself. For the first time, these stories and poems appear together in a single volume, offering a literary portrait of the city that has remained his muse for decades.
The book is presented in the original Hindi, in Devanagari script, alongside elegant English translations by renowned translator, writer and literary historian Dr Rakhshanda Jalil. Her translations preserve not only the meaning of Gulzar’s words but also their rhythm, tenderness and emotional nuance, making his work accessible to a wider audience without losing its essence. A bilingual tribute to readers that can make a cherished gift for people across generations.
Gulzar’s relationship with Mumbai extends far beyond literature. As one of India’s most celebrated lyricists, screenwriters and filmmakers, he has chronicled the human condition through cinema with the same sensitivity that marks his poetry. Films such as Aandhi, Mausam, Ijaazat and Lekin… showcased his gift for exploring complex emotions and relationships with rare subtlety. His lyrics have transcended generations, and his global recognition, including an Academy Award and Grammy for “Jai Ho”, cemented his place as a cultural icon. Yet, despite international acclaim, his writing remains deeply rooted in everyday Indian experiences, often drawing from the very streets and lives of Mumbai.
Equally significant is the contribution of Dr Rakhshanda Jalil, whose work over the years has played a pivotal role in bringing Urdu and Hindi literature to contemporary readers. A multi-award-winning translator and scholar, Jalil has dedicated much of her career to preserving and promoting South Asia’s literary heritage. Through her translations of literary giants such as Premchand, Intizar Husain and Gulzar, she has built bridges between languages and generations. Her organisation, Hindustani Awaaz, continues to champion the richness of Hindi-Urdu culture and literature, ensuring these voices remain vibrant and relevant.
Udayan Mitra, Executive Publisher, HarperCollins India, says, ‘It’s a great pleasure for us at HarperCollins to publish Aamchi Mumbai, a collection of Gulzar’s writings on the city he has made his home for over seven decades. Curated by Gulzarsaab himself and translated superbly by Rakhshanda Jalil, this bilingual collectors’ edition, with the stories and poems appearing both in Devanagari text and in English translation, is a wonderful tribute to the city of Mumbai and captures its many moods and nuances in Gulzarsaab’s inimitable way.”
