Akhtar ul Iman (1915–1996) was a noted Urdu poet and screenwriter in Hindi cinema, who had a major influence on modern Urdu nazm.
He won the Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue in 1963 for Dharmputra and 1966 for Waqt. He was awarded the 1962 Sahitya Akademi Award in Urdu, for his Poetry Collection, Yadein (Memories), by Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters.
Career
He left behind a substantial legacy for new generation of poets to follow which explores new trends and themes in modern Urdu poetry giving a new direction to the modern and contemporary Urdu nazm with emphasis on philosophical humanism.
Works
Books
• Iss Aabad Kharabe Mein (Urdu)-published by Urdu Academy, Delhi, India. Autobiography of a famous Urdu writer of India.
Poetry
He has published eight collections:
Girdaab (1943)
Aabjoo (1944-1945)
Tareek Sayyara (1946–47)
Yaden (1961)
Bint-e-Lamhaat (1969)
Naya Ahang (1977)
Sar-o-Samaan (1982)
Zameen Zameen (1983-1990)
Play
Sabrang (1948): a one-verse play.
Translation and compilation by others
Zamistan Sard Mehrika (Urdu)- Last Poetic Collection of an unforgettable Urdu poet. Compiled and edited by Sultana Iman and Bedar Bakht.
Query of the Road – Selected Poems of Akhtar-ul-Iman with Extensive Commentary by Baidar Bakht
Indian cinema
His contribution to Hindi cinema is significant, keeping in mind the number of landmark and hit movies he has contributed as a script writer (dialogue, story and screenplay).[citation needed] His first landmark movie was Kanoon, which became a big hit despite the fact that it had no songs or comedy sequences.[citation needed] This achievement remains unparalleled in Hindi cinema. Other important movies to which he contributed as a script writer were Dharmputra (1961) – for which he received a filmfare award – Gumrah, Waqt, Patther ke Sanam, and Daagh.
The one movie which has his lyrics is Bikhare Moti.
Awards
Literary awards
1962: Sahitya Akademi Award – Urdu: Yadein (Poetry)
Iqbal Samman
and Numerous other literary awards.
Filmfare Award
1963: Best Dialogue: Dharmputra
1966: Best Dialogue: Waqt