Poetry and cinema might seem like different art forms. However, when the poetic words are blended perfectly to fit the visuals, they are bound to create magic for the audience. Have you ever been moved by a particular movie scene because of a spectacular poem or shayari the actor narrated? From Bollywood movies using Urdu verses to soulful poems in Hollywood cinema, poetry has always elevated a film’s cinematic experience. Here are some timeless poems from various movies that continue to inspire and influence people.

1. Dil, Aakhir Tu Kyun Rota Hai by Javed Akhtar

This famous poem is composed by India’s most celebrated screenwriter, lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar. His son and Indian actor & filmmaker, Farhan Akhtar narrated this beautiful poem in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011). The poem is about accepting that sorrow and happiness are part and parcel of life. Moreover, it urges the reader to live in the present and make the most out of each moment.

“Dil, Aakhir Tu Kyun Rota Hai”

Jab jab dard ka baadal chhaya, Jab gham ka saaya lehraya,
Jab aansoon palkon tak aaya, Jab yeh tanha dil ghabraya,
Humne dil ko ye samjhaya, Dil aakhir tu kyun rota hai,
Duniya mein yunhi hota hai.

Yeh jo gehre sannaate hain, Waqt ne sabko hi baante hain,
Thoda gham hai sabka kissa, Thodi dhoop hai sabka hissa,
Aankh teri bekaar hi namm hai, Har pal ek naya mausam hai,
Kyun tu aise pal khota hai, Dil aakhir tu kyun rota hai.

2. Main by Vishal Bhardwaj

Indian filmmaker and music composer Vishal Bhardwaj wrote this poem for Haider. The film is an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s tragic play Hamlet. The movie incorporates this poem to comment on Kashmir’s political environment during the 1990 insurgency. The poem Main was narrated by late actor Irrfan Khan who played Roohdaar in the movie. It relates to the interconnectedness between the natural world and human experiences.

“Main”

Dariya bhi main, Darakht bhi main,
Jhelum bhi main, Chinar bhi main,
Dair hoon, Haram bhi hoon,
Shia bhi hoon, Sunni bhi hoon,
Main hu pandit,
Main tha, main hu, aur main hi rahunga.

3. Maut… Tu Ek Kavita Hai by Gulzar

Narrated by Amitabh Bachchan and composed by Gulzar, this poem was used in Anand (1971). The movie is about a cancer patient Anand Sehgal who wants to live his last days to the fullest. His doctor Bhaskar K. Banerjee meets him regularly for treatments. In one of those meetings, the doctor narrates this poem at Anand’s insistence. The poem Maut… Tu Ek Kavita Hai personifies death as an artistic form, poetry. This famous poem inspires people to be courageous in the face of death as it’s inevitable.

“Maut… Tu Ek Kavita Hai”

Maut, Tu ek kavita hai,
Mujhse ek kavita ka waada hai, milegi mujhko.
Doobti nabzon mein jab dard ko neend aane lage,
Zard sa chehra liye chaand ufak kar pohonche,
Din abhi paani mein ho, Raat kinare ke kareeb,
Na andhera, na ujala ho,
Na abhi raat, na din,
Jism jab khatam ho, Aur rooh ko jab saans aaye,
Mujhse ek kavita ka waada hai, milegi mujhko.

4. Agneepath by Harivansh Rai Bachchan

Composed by Amitabh Bachchan’s father, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Agneepath is one of his most recognised poems of all time. The poem and its title were used in the movie Agneepath (1990) as a tribute to the poet. It was again incorporated in the 2012 remake of the film featuring Hrithik Roshan and Priyanka Chopra. The word Agneepath translates to ‘the path of fire’ and the poem motivates people to confront life’s difficulties with determination and courage.

“Agneepath”

Vriksh hon bhale khade,
Hon ghane, hon bade,
Ek patra chhanv bhi
Maang mat! Maang mat! Maang mat!
Agneepath! Agneepath! Agneepath!

Tu na thakega kabhi,
Tu na thamega kabhi,
Tu na mudega kabhi,
Kar shapath! Kar shapath! Kar shapath!
Agneepath! Agneepath! Agneepath!

Yeh mahaan drishya hai,
Chal raha manushya hai,
Ashru, swed, rakt se
Lath-path, lath-path, lath-path,
Agneepath! Agneepath! Agneepath!

5. Toh Tum Jaan Lete Main Kya Sochta Hoon by Satyanshu and Devanshu Singh

This captivating poem compels you to see beyond the surface and understand deeper meanings. Toh Tum Jaan Lete Main Kya Sochta Hoon is composed by the filmmaker brothers Satyanshu and Devanshu Singh for Udaan. Narrated by Rajat Barmecha’s character, Rohan, the poem is his plea to his strict father Bhairav Singh. In the film, he wants Rohan to give up on literature and do engineering instead. Through this poem, Rohan urges his father to understand his desires instead of forcing his own ambitions on the young boy.

“Toh Tum Jaan Lete Main Kya Sochta Hoon”

Jo lehron se aage nazar dekh paati,
Toh tum jaan lete main kya sochta hoon.
Woh awaaz tumko bhi jo bhed jaati, 
Toh tum jaan lete main kya sochta hoon.
Zidd ka tumhaare jo parda sarakta,
Khidkiyon se aage bhi tum dekh paate,
Aankhon se aadaton ki jo palke hatate, 
Toh tum jaan lete main kya sochta hoon.
Meri tarah hota agar khud par zara bharosa,
Toh kuchh door tum bhi saath-saath aate,
Rang meri aankhon ka baant’te zara sa,
Toh kuchh door tum bhi saath-saath aate.
Nasha aasmaan ka jo choomta tumhe, 
Hasratein tumhaari naya janam paati,
Khud dusre janam mein meri udaan chhoone,
Kuchh door tum bhi saath-saath aate…

6. Musafir Hain Hum Bhi by Bashir Badr

Written by Bashir Badr, a renowned Urdu poet, this verse added a layer to Neeraj Ghaywan’s movie Masaan. It is skillfully narrated by Shweta Tripathi’s character, Shaalu Gupta. The movie presents her as a passionate admirer of poetry. She shares this poem with her boyfriend Deepak (Vicky Kaushal) who knows little about literature. This verse later consoles Deepak when he is separated from Shaalu due to her unfortunate death.

“Musafir Hain Hum bhi”

Sitaron ko aankhon mein mehfooz rakhna,
Badi der tak raat hi raat hogi,
Musafir hai hum bhi, musafir ho tum bhi,
Kisi mod par phir mulakaat hogi.

7. Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas

The British-American filmmaker, Christopher Nolan integrated this poem in his movie Interstellar. Dylan’s poem is a reminder of life’s inevitable end. However, it also inspires people to fight against all the odds and stand fiercely in the face of death. The movie’s plot portrays a similar theme and the poem’s usage elevates the cinematic experience for the viewers.

“Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night”

8. Eloisa to Abelard by Alexander Pope

Published in 1717, Eloisa to Abelard is a conversational poem between two lovers who are forced to live separately due to religious restrictions. Director Michel Gondry named his film Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind after a line from this poem. The movie depicts that there’s no true eternal happiness. This way, the poem resonates with the movie’s underlying theme.

“Eloisa to Abelard” 

Read the complete poem here

Featured Image Source

Related: 8 Noteworthy Poems That Will Tug At Your Heart Strings