The story goes that Gulzar wanted to make a movie on Ghalib with Sanjeev Kumar. Naseer, an unknown in those days, was still in NSD and he wrote to Gulzar that only he could play Ghalib and that he should wait for him. The movie was stalled due to untimely death of Sanjeev Kumar and it was years later that Gulzar decided to make it as a serial. When Naseer was offered the role it was like a dream come true for him. I don't know if Sanjeev Kumar, a fabulous actor no doubt, would have played Ghalib better but what I do know is that Naseer became Ghalib himself. When I think of Ghalib I think of Naseer. Without a doubt, he is one of the greatest actors of our times.
I watched this serial when it was aired on TV but I missed couple of episodes here and there. I again tried to catch it on re-runs years later but again it was difficult to be in front of TV on a particular day every week so again I could catch only few episodes here and there. Couple of months ago I got the DVD and watched all the episodes back to back in just 2 days. This has to be one of the greatest serials to come out of Indian television in every aspect. Great script, great direction and great performances and despite of a modern treatment, great music.
