Rahi Masoom Raza Birth Centenary: Puneet Issar, B Subhash And Tajdar Amrohi Recall The Genius Behind ‘Mahabharat’ And Bollywood’s Iconic Dialogues

Mahabharat, the iconic Indian epic, is the first thought that comes to mind when one remembers writer-poet-lyricist Dr. Rahi Masoom Raza, who co-wrote the series with Pandit Narendra Sharma. Puneet Issar, who portrayed Duryodhan, recalls being recognized as the "Coolie boy" during his audition and being tasked with speaking long dialogues.

Puneet's decision to audition for Mahabharat stemmed from his desire to prove himself as an actor, leading to his casting in the role. Raza, who previously collaborated with Puneet's father Sudesh Issar on Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki, was impressed by Puneet's rendition of a Hindi poem, which secured his choice of role in the series.

Tajdar Amrohi, son of filmmaker Kamal Amrohi, recounts how Raza idolized his father and was thrilled when praised for his writing, even though he did not know Sanskrit. Raza's influence extended beyond Mahabharat, as he also wrote comedies, supernatural thrillers, and musicals. B Subhash, who worked with Raza on Disco Dancer, praised him for his intelligence and ability to elevate any scene with his words.

Subhash highlighted a memorable scene from Disco Dancer where a mother reprimands her son for not eating with his own hands, showcasing Raza's ability to infuse depth into seemingly simple dialogues. Emotionally, B Subhash expressed his deep appreciation for the great writer, who left a lasting impact on the world of Indian cinema.