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{{Short description|Urdu and Hindi poet}}
{{Short description|Urdu and Hindi poet (1927 – 1992)}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{AI-generated|date=November 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Tone|date=July 2010}}
{{Infobox writer
{{Infobox writer
| name         = Rahi Masoom Reza
| name             = Rahi Masoom Raza
| image         =
| image           =  
| imagesize     =
| imagesize       = 200px
| caption       =
| caption         =  
| birthname     =
| birthname       =  
| birth_date   = {{Birth date|df=y|1927|9|1}}
| birth_date       = {{Birth date|df=y|1927|9|1}}
| birth_place   = [[Ghazipur]], [[United Provinces of British India|United Provinces]], [[British India]]
| birth_place     = [[Ghazipur district|Ganguali]], [[United Provinces of British India|United Provinces]], [[British Raj|British India]] (present-day [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[India]])
| occupation   = Novelist, [[Urdu language|Urdu]] poet
| occupation       = Novelist, [[Urdu language|Urdu]] poet, and film songs lyricist
| death_date   = {{Death date and age|df=y|1992|3|15|1927|9|1}}
| death_date       = {{Death date and age|df=y|1992|3|15|1927|9|1}}
| death_place   = [[Bombay]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]
| death_place     = [[Bombay]], [[Maharashtra]], India
| yearsactive   = 1945–1992
| yearsactive     = 1945 – 1992
| awards       = [[Filmfare Best Dialogue Award|1979 Filmfare Best Dialogue Award]]: [[Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki]]  
| awards           = Won 3 [[Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue]]
| relatives        = [[Parvati Khan]] (daughter-in-law)
}}
}}
'''Rahi Masoom Raza''' (1 September 1927 – 15 March 1992) was an Indian [[Urdu language|Urdu]] and [[Hindi]] poet, writer and a [[Bollywood]] lyricist.<ref name=Cinemaazi/><ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=संचयन भाग 2|publisher=[[NCERT]]|isbn=81-7450-665-9|location=New Delhi|pages=47|language=hi|chapter=लेखक परिचय|chapter-url=http://ncertbooks.prashanthellina.com/class_10.Hindi.SanchayanBhag2/lekhah%20P.pdf|access-date=18 October 2020|archive-date=17 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417181659/http://ncertbooks.prashanthellina.com/class_10.Hindi.SanchayanBhag2/lekhah%20P.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>


'''Rahi Masoom Reza''' (1 September 1927 – 15 March 1992), born in Gangauli, [[Ghazipur]], Uttar Pradesh, India, was an [[Urdu language|Urdu]] and [[Hindi]] poet and writer and a [[Bollywood]] lyricist.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=संचयन भाग 2|publisher=[[NCERT]]|isbn=81-7450-665-9|location=New Delhi|pages=47|language=hi|chapter=लेखक परिचय|chapter-url=http://ncertbooks.prashanthellina.com/class_10.Hindi.SanchayanBhag2/lekhah%20P.pdf}}</ref> He won the [[Filmfare Best Dialogue Award]] for the hit film ''[[Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki]]'' in 1979, followed by ''[[Mili (1975 film)|Mili]]'' and ''[[Lamhe]]'', which he won posthumously.
He won the [[Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue]] three times, for his work in ''[[Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki]]'' (1979), [[Tawaif (film)|''Tawaif'']] (1985) and ''[[Lamhe]]'' (1991). He is best known for writing the screenplay and dialogues for the television series [[Mahabharat (1988 TV series)|''Mahabharat'']], which was based on the Sanskrit epic, the ''[[Mahabharata]]'' from [[ancient India]].<ref name=Cinemaazi/>


==Biography==
==Biography==
===Early life and education===
Raza was born on 1 September 1927 into a Muslim family in the village of Gangauli, located in the [[Ghazipur]] district of Uttar Pradesh.<ref name=Cinemaazi/><ref name=IndianExpress>{{cite news|last=Chishti|first=Seema|date=1 May 2007 |title=It's 1947 still in Dr. Rahi Masoom Reza's Aadha Gaon|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/it-s-1947-still-in-rahi-masoom-raza-s-aadha-gaon/29768/2|access-date=11 April 2025|newspaper=Indian Express newspaper|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206185105/https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/its-1947-still-in-rahi-masoom-razas-aadha-gaon/|archive-date=6 December 2022|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was the younger brother of educationist [[Moonis Raza]] and scholar Mehdi Raza.


===Early life and education===
Raza completed his early education in [[Ghazipur district]] before pursuing higher education at [[Aligarh Muslim University]], where his academic focus was centered on Muslim theology. He earned a doctorate in Hindustani Literature and embarked on a literary career. He married Nayyar Jahan who had been previously married. Raza was told by many of his friends to break off ties with her. But he remained firm in his resolve and they were married, which led to a controversy that made Raza quit the Aligarh Muslim University job as a lecturer. Then the married couple decided to move to Bombay where Raza would work in films in 1967.<ref name=Cinemaazi/><ref>{{cite book |last=Hasan |first=Mushirul |author-link=Mushirul Hasan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lNKqYp-LTnkC&q=Ghazipur&pg=PA159 |title=Legacy of a Divided Nation: India's Muslims Since Independence |date=1997 |publisher=C. Hurst & Co. Publishers |isbn=978-1-85065-304-2 |page=159}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
Reza was born in a Muslim family in a village named Gangauli,<ref>{{cite news|last=Chishti|first=Seema|title=It's 1947 still in Dr. Rahi Masoom Reza's Aadha Gaon|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/it-s-1947-still-in-rahi-masoom-raza-s-aadha-gaon/29768/2|access-date=11 December 2013|newspaper=Indian Express|date=30 April 2007}}</ref> located in [[Ghazipur]] district of [[Uttar Pradesh]], the most populous state in Northern India. He was the younger brother of educationist [[Moonis Raza]] and scholar Mehdi Raza. <ref>{{Cite web|title=Noted Scholar Prof Mehdi Raza Dead|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/noted-scholar-prof-mehdi-raza-dead/878418|website=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)]]}}</ref>  
 
Writing under the pseudonym Shahid Akhtar, he contributed novels to the Urdu magazine ''Rumani Duniya'' from Allahabad. Raza later became a lecturer in Urdu at [[Aligarh Muslim University]] before relocating to Bombay (now Mumbai).<ref name=Cinemaazi/><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 March 2024 |title=Oh, For an Original Story : Review of Scene 75 |url=https://www.thebookreviewindia.org/oh-for-an-original-story/ |website=Book Review India}}</ref>
 
=== Foray into Hindi films and television ===
Raza's career in Hindi films began with the romantic drama [[Mili (1975 film)|''Mili'']] (1975), directed by [[Hrishikesh Mukherjee]]. His dialogues in the film were highly praised, marking the beginning of his successful career in the Hindi film industry.
 
He won his first [[Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue]] for [[Raj Khosla]]'s drama ''[[Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki]]'' (1978), which dealt with themes of love, sacrifice, and societal expectations. His dialogues were instrumental in conveying the emotional depth and complexity of the film.
 
After working for various successful films like ''[[Gol Maal]]'' (1979), ''[[Karz (film)|Karz]]'' (1980), ''[[Judaai (1980 film)|Judaai]]'' (1980) and ''[[Disco Dancer]]'' (1982), Raza's next prominent venture was the romantic drama [[Tawaif (film)|''Tawaif'']] (1985), directed by [[B. R. Chopra]]. Showcasing the life and dilemmas of the life of a [[courtesan]], his dialogues were instrumental in humanizing the characters and conveying the emotional depth of the narrative, contributing significantly to the film's critical acclaim. His work on the film earned him his second Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue.
 
He gained significant recognition on Hindi television for writing the screenplay and dialogues for the television serial [[Mahabharat (1988 TV series)|''Mahabharat'']], which was based on the ancient Indian epic, the ''[[Mahabharata]]''.<ref name=Cinemaazi/><ref name=":0" /> The serial became one of the most popular TV shows in India, achieving a peak television rating of approximately 86%.<ref>{{cite news |last=Manwani |first=Akshay |date=1 April 2013 |title=The Show of Shows Producing India's greatest television show ever |url=http://www.caravanmagazine.in/arts/show-shows?page=0,1 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214010034/http://www.caravanmagazine.in/arts/show-shows?page=0,1 |archive-date=14 December 2013|access-date=10 April 2025|newspaper=Caravan magazine}}</ref>
 
Raza then collaborated with [[Honey Irani]] to write the screenplay and dialogues for [[Yash Chopra]]'s musical romantic drama ''[[Lamhe]]'' (1991),<ref name=Cinemaazi/> which was a pioneering film that explored unconventional themes of love across generations. Raza's dialogues, which were pivotal in conveying ''Lamhe'''s complex emotions and progressive themes, earned widespread critical acclaim upon the film's release. At the [[37th Filmfare Awards]], the film won a leading 5 awards, including a third Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue for Raza. ''Lamhe'' was Raza's final film to release in his lifetime, and over the years, it has been hailed as an all-time classic and the finest film of Chopra, Irani and Raza's careers.


Raza completed his early education in and around Ghazipur, from where he went to [[Aligarh Muslim University]] to complete higher studies. His studies and life revolved around Muslim theology. He completed a doctorate in Hindustani Literature and pursued a career in literature.<ref>{{cite book |last=Hasan |first=Mushirul |author-link=Mushirul Hasan |title=Legacy of a Divided Nation: India's Muslims Since Independence |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lNKqYp-LTnkC&q=Ghazipur&pg=PA159 |date=1997 |publisher=C. Hurst & Co. Publishers |isbn=978-1-85065-304-2 |page=159}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> He wrote novels under the pseudonym, Shahid Akhtar, for an Urdu magazine ''Rumani Duniya'' from Allahabad. He then went on to become a Lecturer in Urdu at Aligarh Muslim University before moving to Bombay (now Mumbai). <ref>{{Cite web|title=Oh, For an Original Story : Review of Scene 75|url=https://www.thebookreviewindia.org/oh-for-an-original-story/|website=Book Review India}}</ref>
==Death and legacy==
Rahi Masoom Raza died on 15 March 1992 at age 62.<ref name=Cinemaazi>{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemaazi.com/people/dr-rahi-masoom-raza|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 May 2022|access-date=10 April 2025|title=Rahi Masoom Raza profile and filmography|website=Indian Cinema Heritage Foundation (Cinemaazi.com) website|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528235740mp_/https://www.cinemaazi.com/people/dr-rahi-masoom-raza}}</ref>
After his death, Raza's dialogues were featured in two more of [[Yash Chopra]]'s productions, ''[[Parampara (1993 film)|Parampara]]'' (1992) and ''[[Aaina (1993 film)|Aaina]]'' (1993).<ref name=Cinemaazi/>


===Literary career===
According to Indian Cinema Heritage Foundation (Cinemaazi.com) website:
He wrote the script and dialogues for a TV serial, ''[[Mahabharat (1988 TV series)|Mahabharat]]''. The TV serial was based on the epic, the [[Mahabharata]].<ref name=":0" /> The serial became one of the most popular TV serials of India, with a peak television rating of around 86%.<ref>{{cite news|last=Manwani|first=Akshay|title=The Show of Shows Producing India's greatest television show ever|url=http://www.caravanmagazine.in/arts/show-shows?page=0,1|access-date=11 December 2013|newspaper=Caravan|date=1 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214010034/http://www.caravanmagazine.in/arts/show-shows?page=0,1|archive-date=14 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
{{blockquote|
"Regarded as nothing less than a national treasure, 'a scholar who strayed into Bollywood', his contributions to literature, poetry and films remains enormous".<ref name=Cinemaazi/>
}}


==Works==
==Works==
Line 34: Line 55:
His works include:
His works include:


*Novels
===Novels===
** ''Adha Gaon'' (''The Divided Village'')<ref name=":0" />
** ''Aadha Gaon'' (''The Divided Village'')<ref name="Cinemaazi" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name="IndianExpress" />
** ''Dil Ek Saada Kaghaz''
** ''Dil Ek Saada Kaghaz''
** ''Topi Shukla''<ref name=":0" />
** ''Topi Shukla''<ref name="Cinemaazi" /><ref name=":0" />
** ''Os Ki Boond''
** ''Os Ki Boond''<ref name="Cinemaazi" />
** ''Katra Bi Arzoo''<ref name=":0" />
** ''Katra Bi Arzoo''<ref name=":0" />
** ''Scene No. 75''
** ''Scene No. 75''
*Poetry
 
** ''Mauz-e-ghul mauz-e-saba'' (Urdu)<ref name=":0" />
===Poetry===
** ''Ajnabee shahar: ajnabee raste'' (Urdu)<ref name=":0" />
** ''Mauz-e-ghul mauz-e-saba'' (Urdu)<ref name=Cinemaazi/><ref name=":0" />
** ''Main ek Feriwala'' (Hindi)<ref name=":0" />
** ''Ajnabee shahar: ajnabee raste'' (Urdu)<ref name=Cinemaazi/><ref name=":0" />
** ''Sheeshe ke Makaan Wale'' (Hindi)
** ''Main ek Feriwala'' (Hindi)<ref name=Cinemaazi/><ref name=":0" />
* Autobiography
** ''Sheeshe ke Makaan Wale'' (Hindi)<ref name=Cinemaazi/>
 
===Autobiography===
** ''Chotey aadmi ki badee kahaani'' ("Big Story of a Small Man")<ref name=":0" />
** ''Chotey aadmi ki badee kahaani'' ("Big Story of a Small Man")<ref name=":0" />
*Movie and TV scripts
 
** ''[[Neem ka Ped]]## – novel and TV serial of the same name<ref name=":0" />
===Movie and TV scripts===
** ''[[Kissi Se Na Kehna]]''
** ''[[Neem ka Ped]]'' – novel and TV serial of the same name<ref name=":0" />
** ''[[Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki]]''
** {{Lang|hi-latn|[[Kissi Se Na Kehna]]}}
** ''[[Disco Dancer]]'' (1982)
** ''[[Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki]]'' (1978)
** ''[[Disco Dancer]]'' (1982)<ref name=Cinemaazi/>
** ''[[Mahabharat (1988 TV series)|Mahabharat]]'' (1988)<ref name=":0" />
** ''[[Mahabharat (1988 TV series)|Mahabharat]]'' (1988)<ref name=":0" />
*Movie dialogues
 
** ''[[Alaap]]'' (1977)
===Movie dialogues===
** [[Mili (1975 film)|''Mili'']] (1975)
** ''[[Alaap]]'' (1977)<ref name=Cinemaazi/>
** ''[[Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki]]'' (1978)<ref name=Cinemaazi/>
** ''[[Gol Maal]]'' (1979)
** ''[[Gol Maal]]'' (1979)
** ''[[Karz (film)|Karz]]'' (1980)
** ''[[Karz (film)|Karz]]'' (1980)<ref name=Cinemaazi/>
** ''[[Judaai (1980 film)|Judaai]]'' (1980)
** ''[[Judaai (1980 film)|Judaai]]'' (1980<ref name=Cinemaazi/>)
** ''[[Hum Paanch (1980 film)|Hum Paanch]]'' (1980)
** ''[[Hum Paanch (1980 film)|Hum Paanch]]'' (1980)
** [[Tawaif (film)|''Tawaif'']] (1985)
** ''[[Anokha Rishta]]'' (1986)
** ''[[Anokha Rishta]]'' (1986)
** ''[[Baat Ban Jaye]]'' (1986)
** ''[[Baat Ban Jaye]]'' (1986)<ref name=Cinemaazi/>
** ''[[Naache Mayuri]]'' (1986)
** ''[[Naache Mayuri]]'' (1986)
** ''[[Awam (film)|Awam]]'' (1987)
** ''[[Awam (film)|Awam]]'' (1987)
** ''[[Lamhe]]'' (1991)
** ''[[Lamhe]]'' (1991)
** ''[[Parampara (1993 film)|Parampara]]'' (1992)
** ''[[Parampara (1993 film)|Parampara]]'' (1992)<ref name=Cinemaazi/>
** ''[[Aaina (1993 film)|Aaina]]'' (1993)
** ''[[Aaina (1993 film)|Aaina]]'' (1993)<ref name=Cinemaazi/>
*Movie Lyrics
 
===Movie Lyrics===
** ''[[Alaap]]'' (1977)
** ''[[Alaap]]'' (1977)
** ''Des Mein Nikla Hoga Chand'' ([[Jagjit Singh]] & [[Chitra Singh]])<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.amarujala.com/kavya/kavya-charcha/famous-writer-and-poet-rahi-masoom-raza-will-be-remembered-forever |title=राही मासूम रज़ा : मेरे बिना किस हाल में होगा, कैसा होगा चाँद |access-date=16 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109023926/http://www.amarujala.com/kavya/kavya-charcha/famous-writer-and-poet-rahi-masoom-raza-will-be-remembered-forever |archive-date=9 November 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>
** ''Des Mein Nikla Hoga Chand'' ([[Jagjit Singh]] & [[Chitra Singh]])<ref name=Cinemaazi/><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.amarujala.com/kavya/kavya-charcha/famous-writer-and-poet-rahi-masoom-raza-will-be-remembered-forever |title=राही मासूम रज़ा : मेरे बिना किस हाल में होगा, कैसा होगा चाँद (Famous Writer and Poet Rahi Masoom Raza Will Be Remembered Forever)|access-date=10 April 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109023926/http://www.amarujala.com/kavya/kavya-charcha/famous-writer-and-poet-rahi-masoom-raza-will-be-remembered-forever |archive-date=9 November 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
== Awards ==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
! scope="col" |Year
! scope="col" |Award
! scope="col" |Category
! scope="col" |Film
! scope="col" |Result
! class="unsortable" scope="col" |{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
! scope="row" |1979
|[[26th Filmfare Awards]]
| rowspan="3" |[[Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue|Best Dialogue]]
|''[[Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki]]''
| style="text-align:center;" {{won}}
|<ref>{{Cite news |title=Filmfare Awards 1979 Winners |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-awards/filmfare-awards-winners/bollywood/1979/101|work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" |1986
|[[33rd Filmfare Awards]]
|''[[Tawaif (film)|Tawaif]]''
| style="text-align:center;" {{won}}
|<ref>{{Cite news |title=Filmfare Awards 1986 Winners |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-awards/filmfare-awards-winners/bollywood/1986/101|work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" |1992
|[[37th Filmfare Awards]]
|''[[Lamhe]]''
| style="text-align:center;" {{won}}
|<ref>{{Cite news |title=Filmfare Awards 1992 Winners |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-awards/filmfare-awards-winners/bollywood/1992/101|work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
|}


==References==
==References==
Line 85: Line 143:
[[Category:Hindi-language poets]]
[[Category:Hindi-language poets]]
[[Category:Hindi-language writers]]
[[Category:Hindi-language writers]]
[[Category:Indian Muslims]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian Muslims]]
[[Category:Aligarh Muslim University alumni]]
[[Category:Aligarh Muslim University alumni]]
[[Category:People from Ghazipur]]
[[Category:People from Ghazipur]]
Line 97: Line 155:
[[Category:People from Ghazipur district]]
[[Category:People from Ghazipur district]]
[[Category:Poets from Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Poets from Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Hindi screenwriters]]
[[Category:Hindi-language screenwriters]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian dramatists and playwrights]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian dramatists and playwrights]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Novelists from Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Novelists from Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male writers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male writers]]
[[Category:Urdu-language poets from India]]
[[Category:Urdu-language Indian poets]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian screenwriters]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian screenwriters]]

Latest revision as of 11:29, 12 December 2025


Template:AI-generated

Rahi Masoom Raza
Born(1927-09-01)1 September 1927
Ganguali, United Provinces, British India (present-day Uttar Pradesh, India)
Died15 March 1992(1992-03-15) (aged 64)
Bombay, Maharashtra, India
OccupationNovelist, Urdu poet, and film songs lyricist
Notable awardsWon 3 Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue
Years active1945 – 1992
RelativesParvati Khan (daughter-in-law)

Rahi Masoom Raza (1 September 1927 – 15 March 1992) was an Indian Urdu and Hindi poet, writer and a Bollywood lyricist.[1][2]

He won the Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue three times, for his work in Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1979), Tawaif (1985) and Lamhe (1991). He is best known for writing the screenplay and dialogues for the television series Mahabharat, which was based on the Sanskrit epic, the Mahabharata from ancient India.[1]

Biography[edit | edit source]

Early life and education[edit | edit source]

Raza was born on 1 September 1927 into a Muslim family in the village of Gangauli, located in the Ghazipur district of Uttar Pradesh.[1][3] He was the younger brother of educationist Moonis Raza and scholar Mehdi Raza.

Raza completed his early education in Ghazipur district before pursuing higher education at Aligarh Muslim University, where his academic focus was centered on Muslim theology. He earned a doctorate in Hindustani Literature and embarked on a literary career. He married Nayyar Jahan who had been previously married. Raza was told by many of his friends to break off ties with her. But he remained firm in his resolve and they were married, which led to a controversy that made Raza quit the Aligarh Muslim University job as a lecturer. Then the married couple decided to move to Bombay where Raza would work in films in 1967.[1][4][2]

Writing under the pseudonym Shahid Akhtar, he contributed novels to the Urdu magazine Rumani Duniya from Allahabad. Raza later became a lecturer in Urdu at Aligarh Muslim University before relocating to Bombay (now Mumbai).[1][5]

Foray into Hindi films and television[edit | edit source]

Raza's career in Hindi films began with the romantic drama Mili (1975), directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. His dialogues in the film were highly praised, marking the beginning of his successful career in the Hindi film industry.

He won his first Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue for Raj Khosla's drama Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978), which dealt with themes of love, sacrifice, and societal expectations. His dialogues were instrumental in conveying the emotional depth and complexity of the film.

After working for various successful films like Gol Maal (1979), Karz (1980), Judaai (1980) and Disco Dancer (1982), Raza's next prominent venture was the romantic drama Tawaif (1985), directed by B. R. Chopra. Showcasing the life and dilemmas of the life of a courtesan, his dialogues were instrumental in humanizing the characters and conveying the emotional depth of the narrative, contributing significantly to the film's critical acclaim. His work on the film earned him his second Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue.

He gained significant recognition on Hindi television for writing the screenplay and dialogues for the television serial Mahabharat, which was based on the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata.[1][2] The serial became one of the most popular TV shows in India, achieving a peak television rating of approximately 86%.[6]

Raza then collaborated with Honey Irani to write the screenplay and dialogues for Yash Chopra's musical romantic drama Lamhe (1991),[1] which was a pioneering film that explored unconventional themes of love across generations. Raza's dialogues, which were pivotal in conveying Lamhe's complex emotions and progressive themes, earned widespread critical acclaim upon the film's release. At the 37th Filmfare Awards, the film won a leading 5 awards, including a third Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue for Raza. Lamhe was Raza's final film to release in his lifetime, and over the years, it has been hailed as an all-time classic and the finest film of Chopra, Irani and Raza's careers.

Death and legacy[edit | edit source]

Rahi Masoom Raza died on 15 March 1992 at age 62.[1] After his death, Raza's dialogues were featured in two more of Yash Chopra's productions, Parampara (1992) and Aaina (1993).[1]

According to Indian Cinema Heritage Foundation (Cinemaazi.com) website:

"Regarded as nothing less than a national treasure, 'a scholar who strayed into Bollywood', his contributions to literature, poetry and films remains enormous".[1]

Works[edit | edit source]

His works include:

Novels[edit | edit source]

    • Aadha Gaon (The Divided Village)[1][2][3]
    • Dil Ek Saada Kaghaz
    • Topi Shukla[1][2]
    • Os Ki Boond[1]
    • Katra Bi Arzoo[2]
    • Scene No. 75

Poetry[edit | edit source]

    • Mauz-e-ghul mauz-e-saba (Urdu)[1][2]
    • Ajnabee shahar: ajnabee raste (Urdu)[1][2]
    • Main ek Feriwala (Hindi)[1][2]
    • Sheeshe ke Makaan Wale (Hindi)[1]

Autobiography[edit | edit source]

    • Chotey aadmi ki badee kahaani ("Big Story of a Small Man")[2]

Movie and TV scripts[edit | edit source]

Movie dialogues[edit | edit source]

Movie Lyrics[edit | edit source]

Awards[edit | edit source]

Year Award Category Film Result Ref.
1979 26th Filmfare Awards Best Dialogue Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki Won [8]
1986 33rd Filmfare Awards Tawaif Won [9]
1992 37th Filmfare Awards Lamhe Won [10]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 "Rahi Masoom Raza profile and filmography". Indian Cinema Heritage Foundation (Cinemaazi.com) website. Archived from the original on 28 May 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 "लेखक परिचय" (PDF). संचयन भाग 2 (in हिन्दी). New Delhi: NCERT. p. 47. ISBN 81-7450-665-9. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 April 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chishti, Seema (1 May 2007). "It's 1947 still in Dr. Rahi Masoom Reza's Aadha Gaon". Indian Express newspaper. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
  4. ↑ Hasan, Mushirul (1997). Legacy of a Divided Nation: India's Muslims Since Independence. C. Hurst & Co. Publishers. p. 159. ISBN 978-1-85065-304-2.
  5. ↑ "Oh, For an Original Story : Review of Scene 75". Book Review India. 22 March 2024.
  6. ↑ Manwani, Akshay (1 April 2013). "The Show of Shows Producing India's greatest television show ever". Caravan magazine. Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  7. ↑ "राही मासूम रज़ा : मेरे बिना किस हाल में होगा, कैसा होगा चाँद (Famous Writer and Poet Rahi Masoom Raza Will Be Remembered Forever)". Archived from the original on 9 November 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  8. ↑ "Filmfare Awards 1979 Winners". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257.
  9. ↑ "Filmfare Awards 1986 Winners". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257.
  10. ↑ "Filmfare Awards 1992 Winners". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257.

External links[edit | edit source]

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