Sagar Watch News/ Bundelkhand's cultural legacy continues its proud march into Bollywood. The trend that began with lyricist Vithalbhai Patel, who penned the iconic “Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaate” for Raj Kapoor’s Bobby, and later saw Akhlak Sagari contribute the soulful “Ishq Mein Hum Tumhe Kya Batayein” in Aaja Meri Jaan, now reaches a new peak with celebrated Sagar-based poet Ashok Mizaj.
Ashok Mizaj’s Poetry to Feature in “Gustakh Ishq”
Mizaj's evocative verses will lend poetic resonance to the upcoming film Gustakh Ishq, where legendary actor Naseeruddin Shah will voice his lines. The movie, produced by renowned fashion designer Manish Malhotra and directed by Vibhu Puri of Hawaizaada fame, is set to release on November 28. It stars Vijay Varma, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Naseeruddin Shah, and Sharib Hashmi in lead roles.
Ashok Mizaj, a disciple of celebrated poet Bashir Badr, shared in a media interaction that this project marks his second collaboration with composer Vishal Bhardwaj, after their work on Sonchiriya in 2020. His artistic journey began in Sagar, where he was born in 1957 as Ashok Singh Thakur.
Despite a science background and a banking career that culminated in his retirement as a manager, Mizaj honed his passion for Urdu poetry, publishing 12 acclaimed ghazal collections and earning accolades such as the Taj Bhopali Award and Nishtar Khanqahi Award.
His works have been the subject of five doctoral research studies across prestigious institutions, including Central University of Jammu and Jamia Millia Islamia. Mizaj’s participation in Indo-Pak mushairas and national poetry forums has cemented his reputation as a powerful voice in modern ghazal writing.
With Gustakh Ishq, Mizaj’s literary prowess finds a new audience, marking yet another milestone in Bundelkhand’s cultural contribution to Indian cinema.
