Mirza Ghalib

This film is based on some incidents in Mirza Ghalib's life...

in which, many imaginary incidents...

and characters have been included.

They should therefore, not be deemed real or historic.

Year 1833 B.C., the capital of the Moghul empire, Delhi...

had been captured and looted many times.

And every time, the hands of man, that never accept defeat...

rebuilt it even more beautifully.

The Qutub Minar, like the always rising passion in the heart...

Jama Masjid, shows the way to those gone astray.

The Red Fort, a symbol of Moghul grandeur.

Every building, every street, every corner, was young.

Every stone was beautiful.

But regretfully,the revolutionary world didn't like its style...

and the Sun of the Moghul empire, after ruling for 400 years...

was now setting.

The last ray of this sun, the last king of the Moghul empire...

was King Bahadur Shah Zafar, in whose court...

were famous poets like...

Sheikh lbrahim Zauk, Balmukund Huzur, Momin Khan Momin,

Fazruddin Khan Adrullah, Mustafa Khan Sheista...

Shahjahan Aish and Mohammed Ali Tishna.

They all were renowned poets.

There was another flame apart from these poets...

who wanted to brighten every corner of the world with his light.

'Even a gesture is enough'

'As the love grows, so does the silence'

l wonder where he is spreading his words again.

He's gone both day and night.

He doesn't even care that he has a wife at home.

Why don't you speak? Look at me!

Allah! You are composing poetry. Sorry.

Coming, father.

Yes, father.

Did you find out where your husband is?

He hasn't left home for four days.

Do support your husband, but don't lie to your father.

l haven't seen his face for five days.

Let me see what he's doing.

We'll be late for the poetry recital.

He's composing for the recital. l just saw him.

He must be cursing his own destiny.

l haven't come across a more unfortunate man.

He has let so many good opportunities go.

lf this continues, he'll make you beg one day.

What a man l let marry my beautiful daughter!

He is not at all worthy of her.

- Greetings father. - Greetings. Where are you going?

To the fort. Won't you come for the poetry recital?

l'm not sure. Did you finish composing?

Oh God...

Attention!

The scion of the Moghul empire...

King Bahadur Shah Zafar...

the King of Hindustan, is coming.

- Greetings. - Greetings.

Begin the poetry recital.

lnvitees, we begin the recital...

with poetry composed by the King.

Hear it with respect.

'ln love, l do not have this complaint'

'That l am left with no peace of mind'

'Sorrow has become my friend'

'l don't care whether or not l have anyone else to call my own'

'When realization had not dawned...'

'l would always notice others' faults and qualities'

'But when l realized the faults in me...'

'l saw no more the faults in others'

'Zafar says, he is not a man...'

'however renowned he may be...'

'the one who has forgotten God in his good days'

'Who is so proud, that he does not fear God?'

lnvitees, the lamp is now being placed before Mufti Saddruddin Khan.

Please hear his compositions.

- Do l have your permission? - Proceed.

l recite...

'When have l not been infamous?'

'When is the sky not the earth, and the earth not the sky?'

'and then call it a slip of the tongue'

Lala Balmukund Huzur.

'No strength in my legs, no power in my hands...'

'that can help me pull the hand of my beloved'

'l am sitting in the street'

'You are beside me...'

'when l have no one else'

Hazrat Momin Khan Momin.

'You are close to me'

Hold your breath. lt's my turn.

The flame is being brought before lbrahim Zouk.

Hear with rapt attention.

The opening lines are...

Begin.

'Now l fear and say l will die'

'But if l don't find peace even after l die, where will l go?'

'l am not among those who claim to have you'

'ln fact, even if God asks me, l will deny it'

You are simply great.

Mirza Assadullah Khan.

Alias, Mirza Nausha, whose pen name is Ghalib.

- l begin. - Yes.

'Even a gesture is enough'

'As the love grows, so does the silence'

Wow, that's lovely.

'She has never understood, nor will she ever understand me'

'Why did l have to give my heart to someone like that?'

lt's a gathering of thankless men.

'There are many good poets in the world'

'lt's just that Ghalib's

We don't want to hear this self praise.

Damn such self praise!

Get lost!

- l won't stay here now. - That will be insulting the gathering.

You don't care about my being insulted. Even the king doesn't.

l'm leaving.

- Let's go. - Where?

Anywhere, but take me away from here.

Away from this gathering of uncouth, ungrateful men.

- Very far away. - Lift it... careful... turn right.

My heart is full of woe

l cannot but tell her

Why try somewhere...

when nothing can be done?

My heart is full of woe

A stranger roams with your letters

lf someone asks what this is all about...

l won't be able to hide it

My heart is full of woe

l do call her...

but, oh, my heart's full of emotions

lt should affect her such...

that she cannot stop herself from coming

My heart is full of woe

No one can control love. lt is such a fire

lt is slow to ignite...

but once lit, it can't be doused

My heart is full of woe...

but once lit, it can't be doused

He has come. Mother, he has come.

Who are you? What do you want?

l don't want anything. l want to meet somebody.

Who is it dear?

He wants to meet someone, mother.

Who does he want to meet?

Who do you want to meet?

The one who was reciting Mirza's poetry.

He says the one who was reciting Mirza's poetry.

Who is he? What kind of a man is he?

Does a decent man come to anyone's home at this hour?

Mother says which decent man comes to anyone's home at this hour?

l am a decent man. l'm a poet. l'm returning from...

the Royal poetry recital.

You are coming from the Royal poetry recital? You heard Mirza's poetry?

He was going to recite poetry there. Come. Why are you standing outside?

You are coming from the poetry recital? You heard Mirza's poetry?

Did you hear him yourself? How is his voice?

How does he recite? Does he sing it?

The King must have been all praise for him.

He must have bowled over everyone.

No one could have competed with him.

Pardon me, l showered you with questions the moment you came.

Please come.

Please come, sit down.

What kind of a man is Mirza? l mean, looks wise.

What about his nature?

- You don't say anything. - When have you let me speak?

Sorry. Please speak.

- He writes well. - Didn't l say so, Mother?

He has a soft face. He's fair, tall, handsome.

But he has an attitude.

He is quick to anger, and takes long to calm down.

Lies! Absolute lies!

You speak as if you have seen Mirza.

He is such a good poet.

lf l could, l'd talk about him in every street.

Really? Say the word and l'll call him.

He must not even be aware of us.

This is his couplet.

'l agree you won't betray me, but...'

'l will be dead by the time you know'

God! What is this girl doing!

lf they hear you, what will people say?

Come on now, Mother!

Madam, even l am a poet. Though an inconsequential one.

With your permission, may l recite something?

Proceed.

'Even a gesture is enough'

'As the love grows, so does the silence'

lt's okay.

'She has never understood, nor will she ever understand me'

'Why did l have to give my heart to someone like that?'

- Here, have betel leaf. - l am like that only.

l thank you for the betel leaf.

But you should realize there's something special about Mirza.

Maybe. l only know...

that his ancestors were good marksmen.

Mirza must be good at wielding a stick.

He should do as his ancestors. Poetry is not his cup of tea.

- Please leave! - What?

l said leave!

Poetry is not his cup of tea. As if he understands poetry!