Dil Pareshan Karta Hai launched with gusto extraodinaire

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The general spirit had to match a young-at-heart writer-lyricist-poet-filmmaker, Gulzar, who had touched a youthful 90 just a few days before on August 18! The launch of Dil Pareshan Karta Hai was held on August 23 at the Hotel J.W. Marriott and was full of energy, exuberance and effervescence, just like the man himself. Gulzar was in top fettle, with quips and one-liners that had the audience clapping thunderously alongside the bouts of laughter.

Composer and music arranger Pt. Bhavdeep Jaipurwale and singer Sumeet Tappoo launched their album amidst celebrities galore from all fields. Dil Pareshan Karta Hai is an album of seven melodies written by Gulzar, set to compositions in seven different raags by Pt. Bhavdeep Jaipurwale, and brought to life by Sumeet Tappoo’s evocative voice.

The event was graced by Padma Vibhushan Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, Anup Jalota (who has musically mentored Sumeet), cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, Arun Govil, J.D. Majethia, directors Anil Sharma, Abhishek Chaubey and Ravi Udyawar, Anu Malik, Lalit Pandit, Nikhil Kamath, Nitin Mukesh, Shyam Singhania, Ashok Khosla, Ghanshyam Vasvani, Kunal Ganjawala, Vaishali Samant, Durga Jasraj, Pt. Ronu Majumdar, Meenal Jain, Krishna Hegde, Deepak Pandit, Sudeep Banerjee, Samir and Dipali Date and Prithvi Gandharv.

The videos of two tracks, Mausam and Samandar, were shown on the occasion.

Sumeet Tappoo, who has previously earned acclaim for his contribution to the Indian music scene, said, “Working with Gulzar-saab is nothing short of a dream come true. He stands as a towering figure in the realm of literature, widely regarded as one of the greatest poets of all time. His evocative words have resonated deeply with me, shaping my understanding and appreciation of poetry. Though he is 90, he has the energy of a 60 year-old, the spirit of someone aged 30, and the romantic spirit of a 21 year-old! From the beginning, I have had this ambition to reach out to the stars, but I could have never imagined this moment—it is surreal! It all began last year on September 30 over lemon tea!”

He went on, “The opportunity to lend my voice to his profound and intricate verses is not merely a professional privilege but an honor that transcends words. Engaging with his work allows me to connect with a legacy that has touched countless lives, making this experience both humbling and profoundly enriching.”

Sumeet also praised composer Pt. Bhavdeep Jaipurwale. “Bhavdeep-ji’s compositions are outstanding. Each of the seven tracks showcases a unique approach, style and musical presentation.”

(Sumeet’s family was also present. They are NRIs who live in Fiji Islands and run a charitable heart surgery hospital there where a billing counter is not there and patients are treated completely free of charge!)

Pt. Bhavdeep Jaipurwale, who has had a 25-year association with Gulzar, stated,     “Gulzar-saab and I first began with Vaada that I musically arranged for Ustad Amjad Ali Khan in 1999. Collaborating with Gulzar-saab has always been a dream for every music director. His humility and dedication to his craft were truly inspiring. This album also celebrates 25 years of our collaboration, and I am delighted that he accepted our request to write this album. Working with Sumeet is a pleasure. His deep understanding of music and his sensibility are qualities I deeply admire. Sumeet has breathed life into these songs with his rich, melodious voice. But I really made him work hard.”

While Anup Jalota termed Gulzar the pitamah of the lyrical scene, he also recited a sher (verse) in his honor: “Tere jaisa koi mila hi nahin / Kaise milta? Koi tha hi nahin (I never met anyone like you. How could I when there was no one)!”

Sunil Gavaskar, as Gulzar cut a birthday cake presented as a surprise, had the last word: “As a cricketer, I believe in centuries! Gulzar-saab, you are 90 now, and you have to achieve that!” he said.