I’ll never touch my father’s work: Meghna Gulzar

Meghna Gulzar has often been asked to remake her father, iconic writerlyricist Gulzar’s, films but the director says she will never consider the thought as she believes “masterpieces shouldn’t be touched”.

Gulzar, 83, has helmed several celebrated films in his career such as Ijaazat (1987), Aandhi (1975), and Angoor (1982).

“I get suggestions and offers but I’ll never do it, never consider it. I can’t even imagine it because there is no need whatsoever.

I was offered to remake [some films], strangely, but I don’t think masterpieces should be touched,” Meghna, 44, said.

However, she did not specify which of her father’s movies were offered to her to remake.

She says the fact that her father has never written any of her films — especially her directorial debut Filhaal (2002) and her second outing Just Married (2007) — is because he would never have the same perspective that she has. He, however, gives a few suggestions from time to time.

“The subjects I was picking, he says it himself that he’ll never be able to write something like a Filhaal or a Just Married because the perspective that I have, he wouldn’t,” said the filmmaker who has helmed four films in her over than 15-year-long career.

“I can’t ever remember my father instructing me about anything. The upbringing, the support was subliminal and through suggestions.

You cannot teach writing; it has to come instinctively,” said Meghna, whose recent release Raazi, starring Alia Bhatt, is receiving positive reviews.

Meghna Gulzar’s latest film is the Alia Bhattstarrer Raazi