MUMBAI: Renowned filmmaker Anubhav Sinha, celebrated for his hard-hitting, socially relevant cinema, recently took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, reminiscing about his formative years in Benaras and the deep influence of poetry and music on his life and storytelling.
In a heartfelt revelation, Sinha shared how his home was a haven for legendary voices—poets, singers, and writers whose artistry shaped his creative sensibilities. Reflecting on his upbringing, he said,
"Ghar pe bhi aisa mahaul tha, pitaji the to Middle class, sarkari karamchari, humare ghar pe Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Begum Akhtar, Mehdi Hassan, Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar phir baad me Jagjit Singh, Ghulam Ali ye sab chalta tha.”
(The atmosphere at home was steeped in art and culture—my father was a middle-class government employee, but our home was filled with the voices of Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Begum Akhtar, Mehdi Hassan, Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar, and later, Jagjit Singh and Ghulam Ali.)
However, it was Begum Akhtar who held an especially deep place in his heart. Sinha revealed that as a young boy of 13, he had fallen in love with the legendary singer in a way that felt profoundly real.
"13 saal ki umr me ishq tha Begum Akhtar se, ‘ISHQ’, phir unki mazaar pe jaakar roya hu mein, Thappad ki shoot ke dauran.”
(At the age of 13, I was in love with Begum Akhtar—true love. I even wept at her tomb during the shoot of Thappad.)
A Visionary Filmmaker
Known for films that challenge societal norms, Anubhav Sinha has consistently delivered critically acclaimed works like Article 15, Thappad, Mulk, and Bheed. His latest project, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, has taken the global stage by storm, earning widespread acclaim for its gripping narrative, compelling performances, and meticulous attention to detail.
As audiences continue to be enthralled by his storytelling, excitement is already building for what Sinha will bring to the screen next.
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