Pakistani poet Umair Najmi has disclosed that his poetry was officially licensed for use in the Bollywood film Gustakh Ishq, with the filmmakers obtaining his consent through a formal agreement and compensating him for the work. Speaking on a recent podcast, Najmi said he was approached in 2023 by the film's director, Vibhav Puri, through a mutual poet friend in India.
Formal Agreement and Script Review
According to the poet, the director expressed interest in incorporating his verses into the film and shared the complete script, indicating where the poetry would be featured. Najmi said he carefully reviewed the script and offered suggestions to better align the poetry with the film's central characters—an established poet and his younger protégé—portrayed by Naseeruddin Shah and Vijay Varma. His recommendations were accepted and incorporated into the final version of the film.
Verses Featured in the Film
Among the verses recited in the film are "Bichhar gaye to ye dil umar bhar lagega nahin" and "Hai koi jis se teri yaari na ho," performed by Vijay Varma, while Naseeruddin Shah delivers the couplet "Bade tahammul se rafta rafta nikalna hai." Najmi said four of his couplets appear throughout the film.
Initial Skepticism and Professional Handling
The poet admitted he was initially sceptical about the proposal. "At first I wondered if the offer was genuine, but once I received the complete script and saw how professionally everything was being handled, I realised it was serious," he said. He added that the project appealed to him because its narrative revolves around the relationship between a senior poet and an aspiring writer, making poetry a natural part of the storytelling.
Global Reach via Netflix
Najmi also noted that the film's availability on Netflix has allowed his work to reach audiences beyond South Asia through translated subtitles.
Recognition and Credit
Discussing the issue of recognition, he confirmed that both payment and on-screen credit were provided in accordance with the agreement. He said seeing his name alongside renowned lyricist and poet Gulzar was a particularly meaningful moment. "Growing up, I used to see Gulzar's name on screen. Now my name appears beneath it. That alone is a source of pride," he said.
Respect for Artistic Ownership
Najmi also praised the filmmakers for respecting artistic ownership. "They could have used the poetry without permission, as often happens, but instead they contacted me, shared the script, sought approval and involved me throughout the process. That sincerity is one of the reasons the work came together so well," he said.
