Thanks to Vishal, I've lived longer than my age: Gulzar

Veteran lyricist Gulzar calls filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj his "son" and says it is because of the latter he has lived beyond his age.

Gulzar, 79, shares a special bond with Bhardwaj, who had composed music for his directorial venture "Macchis". Among other projects, the duo had teamed up for TV show "The Jungle Book".

Gulzar attended a restrospective of his films at the second edition of the Ladakh International Film Festival (LIFF). Bhardwaj curated the retrospective, which began with "Mere Apne".

Gulzar said: "It is a beautiful moment for me that Vishal is presenting my films here. He is my son. I say it because I like him. That is why he is my son."

"Many a time I have said this that I see an extension in him - 'uski wajah se jitni umar thhi use zyada jee raha hun' (Just because of him, I have been able to live longer than my age). He is 'mere apne' for me and amongst the closest to me," he said.

Even Bhardwaj admitted that Gulzar is his mentor and father to him, and that it would be an incomparable experience to watch his films with him.