Bollywood’s unluckiest music director earned Rs 100 a month, won National Award yet struggled for work; died before his musical masterpiece Pakeezah

Worked on Rs 100 per month salary

In 1924, Ghulam moved to Bombay to pursue a career in music. After eight years of struggle, he finally got his first break as a tabla player in a film, earning a salary of Rs 100 per month. His early work included Saroj Movietone’s Raja Bharthari (1932). Ghulam went on to assist the legendary music director Naushad for over 12 years, learning the intricacies of film composition under his mentorship before making his independent debut as a composer with the 1947 film Tiger Queen.

After stepping out on his own, Ghulam Mohammed went on to compose for several films, including the Madhubala-starrer Pardes, where Lata Mangeshkar lent her voice to his melodious tracks such as “Jiya Laage Nahin Mora” and “Raat Hai Taaron Bhari.” His later works included Ajeeb Ladki (1952), Amber (1952), and Dil-E-Nadaan (1953). Despite his musical talent and critically appreciated compositions, mainstream success continued to elude him, and he struggled with financial hardships throughout much of his career.

National Award for Mirza Ghalib

Ghulam Mohammed achieved national recognition when he won the National Film Award for Best Music Direction for Mirza Ghalib (1954), a film based on the life of the renowned Urdu poet. His soulful compositions in the film, including timeless ghazals like “Dil-E-Nadan Tujhe,” “Phir Mujhe Deeda-E-Tar,” and “Aah Ko Chahiye Ek Umar,” became immensely popular. The film was even screened at Rashtrapati Bhavan, and then–Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru personally praised its music, calling it a fitting tribute to the legendary poet.

Ghulam Mohammed died before witnessing Pakeezah’s success

Despite the national recognition, Ghulam’s career did not flourish as expected. By 1956, work opportunities had nearly dried up, and he managed to compose music for only one film over the next several years. His fortunes changed when filmmaker Kamal Amrohi approached him in 1962 to compose music for Pakeezah. Ghulam poured his heart and soul into the project, creating numerous songs—so many that Amrohi eventually had to remove three tracks from the final cut of the film.

However, Pakeezah’s release was delayed for years due to personal and professional differences between Kamal Amrohi and Meena Kumari. During this period, Ghulam Mohammed’s health deteriorated, and he tragically passed away in 1968, years before Pakeezah finally released in 1972. After his death, when Amrohi needed someone to complete the film’s background score, Ghulam’s old friend and mentor Naushad stepped in to finish the work.

Pakeezah went on to become a musical masterpiece, with its immortal songs such as “Inhin Logon Ne,” “Thade Rahiyo,” “Chalte Chalte,” “Mausam Hai Aashiqana,” “Teer-E-Nazar,” and “Najariya Ki Maari.” These tracks remain some of the most beloved compositions in the history of Indian cinema.

Pran refused to accept his Filmfare Award

In a powerful gesture of respect, actor Pran refused to accept his Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for Be-Imaan in 1972. He felt that music composer Ghulam Mohammed had been unjustly overlooked for his extraordinary work in Pakeezah. The Best Music Director award that year went to Shankar–Jaikishan for Be-Imaan, but Pran publicly stated that the honor rightfully belonged to the late Ghulam Mohammed.

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