Mirza Ghalib (1988– ) User Reviews

Mirza Ghalib - A Star that'll never fade

[folkpoet80 · 10/10 · 25 November 2005]

This show will stand out in the years to come as the Ultimate Production that ever came out of Show business from India. Mirza Ghalib, unarguably the best Poet of Urdu Language has been portrayed remarkably in this show. None other than Naseeruddin Shah could have played this role. His persona and dialog delivery along with outstanding facial expressions made him look like the real life Mirza Ghalib. Music by Jagjit Singh simply can never again be made. It's one of those few things that are produced and never be replicated by anyone. Kaifi Azmi and Gulzar did ravine deep research before going ahead with the series. Most actors were stage actors including Rajendra Gupta, Shafi Inaamdar and others. Tanvi Azmi did well in her cameo and so did Neena Gupta. Every single Ghazal sung by Jagjit Singh simply takes you back to the Delhi of 1800s. Naseeruddin Shah himself notes that Ghalib's role is the number achievement of his acting career. Finally an official 2 DVD Set is out of this show. Quality is about 8.5/10 I would highly recommend people to purchase it. I have done quite a bit of research on Mirza Ghalib, visited his Haveli in Old Delhi this summer and count this show as an all time favorite of mine.

10 STARS!!!!!!*********

Truly a winner!

[wetNdry · 10/10 · 9 April 2005]

As the name implies, the meaning of Ghalib is Winner. And one of the greatest poet on the planet was indeed a winner. I remember about this TV serial when I was a teen, I never watched it, instead I was criticizing this serial. I saw some portion of the serial on VHS few yrs ago while I was visiting a close friend in Georgia, and it changed my taste towards the ghazals and I was hooked to it. Those who like Ghazals, this one is a MUST SEE. The script is very well researched and written beautifully. Gulzar wanted to make a movie with the script but Sanjeev Kumar died suddenly(as he was gulzar's first choice for any of his movies) so he dropped the idea and went for TV serial. I just wonder how it would have been with Sanjeev Kumar? I have no disrespect for Naseer but definitely SK would have been more enjoyable to watch. This TV serial shows how great Gulzar is as a writer. And on final note, hats off to Jagjit/Chitra for giving their soul to this TV series. The music is very well composed and ghazals are very well sung by J. Singh. It is our bad luck that we could only gathered only 20-25% work of Mirza's poetry, just imagine what if we find 100% of his work? For sure it would change my world.

Gulzar's Magnum Opus

[agrawalmannu · 8/10 · 16 September 2005]

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.

outstanding!! amazing music

[hellisotherpeople · 25 December 2003]

this was an outstanding , well directed and extremely well acted series on one of the greatest shayars india has produced-mirza ghalib..

the man was a genius!! his poetry is indescribably deep..

the music for this series was amazing!! jagjit and chitra sang the ghazals with immense depth.

Naseer was great, he embodied Ghalib completely..

Go get the DVD and CD of this series NOW!!

The best serial on Mirza Ghalib

[jitender-sharma199 · 10/10 · 2 January 2012]

This serial is a timeless creation, which shows the life of Mirza Ghalib. There can be no better director to direct this TV serial than gulzar saheb, no better actor than nasuruddin shah sahab, and needless to mention this serial owes to Jagjit singh, the ghazal maestro.

The ghazals of this TV serial and a masterpiece, unmatched. This serial is ahead of its time in action,direction and content. Its so beautifully portrayed that you move along with the story which makes you feel the time in which mirza ghalib lived. This serial makes you cry, and laugh all together. Its a must watch if you are fan of any of the above mentioned people. I can watch it over and over again, and can go into the time of "Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib "

Ghalib's sher not only have immediate effect on the heart but it makes you think too.

Naseeruddin Shah and Tanvi Azmi deliver in this epic TV series

[markcastelino · 9/10 · 17 September 2016]

If you want to watch an Indian film that doesn't appear to be in fast forward, watch this one. It is perfectly paced with some outstanding performances by Naseeruddin Shah who plays the title role and Tanvi Azmi who plays his wife, Umrao Begum. We all know how good Naseeruddin Shah is but I have yet to see an Indian actress deliver with so much warmth, poise and emotion as does Ms. Azmi. Unfortunately, not knowing Urdu I missed much of the beauty of the poetry of Mirza Ghalib but yet could appreciate the acting of the two main stars and the supporting cast. Great music too which did not require an understanding of Urdu to appreciate.

I don't know the history of Mirza Ghalib so I wonder if his drinking, gambling and his affair with the courtesan were over done. If true then his wife deserves a special commendation for remaining with him, but I guess those were different times. It was a time when men ruled.

Timeless masterpiece

[ruchirjain · 10/10 · 30 June 2019]

A TV series from a time they really created art, rather than junk as they do they do now. I can't think of anyone other than Naseeruddin Shah who could have done this role. Jagjit Singh is so soulful. Everyone was awesome

Outstanding performance

[jhandkhan · 10/10 · 11 June 2021]

This show is best and if you love Urdu Language you'll fall in love with it even you don't know Mirza Ghalib then you'll realise level of Ghalib Sahab.

Mirza Ghalib

[ameer-22356 · 9/10 · 5 February 2018]

Great work and research by the Maestro Kaifi Aazmi , Gulzar. One more master piece by Naseeruddinshah.

Worth Mentioning Jagjit Singh work.

watch it know the real India before colonialism

[pnilosey · 18 April 2017]

This serial depicts the India which most of us are not aware of. An India of varied cultures , religions , dialects and still people then shared a strong camaraderie which somehow has faded over the time. Mirza Ghalib was the voice of those people his thoughts transcends time, his poems are timeless and his emotions are boundless. Naseerudhin Shah didn't played a role he literally lived Mirza Ghalib. A must watch for those who want to understand how Ghalib views the world around him, how simple struggles of life can be penned so beautifully and how he speaks everyone heart.