Veteran lyricist, filmmaker, and poet Gulzar is set to return to writing lyrics for a children's film titled Masab Tank. At 91, Gulzar is very selective about his work, making this project particularly special.

In a conversation at his Bandra bungalow, Gulzar expressed his sentiments about writing for children, stating, "Writing for children is not just a desire or ambition, it's an obligation. It has been treated in a very left-handish way by writers". He further explained the film's setting and its significance to him: "Masab Tank is an area in Hyderabad, where the playing ground has been snatched from children and replaced by buildings. This project by Meka Rao really touched my heart". The film appears to address the important issue of diminishing spaces for children in urban environments.

Gulzar, who has penned iconic children's songs such as "Lakdi Ki Kathi" from Masoom (1983) and "Jungle Jungle Pata Chala Hai" from The Jungle Book, affirms his commitment to continue writing for children. "Writing for children will continue till I grow up enough to be a child again," he said.

When asked about a potential collaboration with his daughter, Meghna Gulzar, on her upcoming film Daayra, starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran, Gulzar revealed that the film does not include any songs. "She said I will miss you but my script does not allow any songs. So that collaboration will have to wait," he explained.

Gulzar also expressed his hope that his protégé, filmmaker-composer Vishal Bhardwaj, will carry forward the legacy of creating content for children, citing Bhardwaj's film The Blue Umbrella as an example of his talent in connecting with young audiences. He also mentioned that his son-in-law, Govind Sandhu, has written a book inspired by the plight of children in Gaza and Ukraine, while his daughter Meghna has written a book on differently-abled children.

Gulzar's commitment extends beyond his artistic endeavors. He has been associated with Arushi, an institute for specially-abled children, for around 40 years, since his film Koshish (1972). He participates in a city marathon with the children every year for around two decades, highlighting their talents and capabilities.