Abba, Rekhta and me: Huma Khalil Untold Story
Faridoon Shahryar
22,602 views
In this memorable conversation with Faridoon Shahryar, Huma Khalil, Creative Director of Rekhta Foundation, opens up about her extraordinary journey with Urdu, Rekhta and the enduring legacy of her father, the legendary Urdu poet and critic Khalil-ur-Rehman Azmi.
Huma explains why Jashn-e-Rekhta became a ticketed event from 2023 onwards. Her argument is simple yet thought-provoking: people are willing to pay for experiences they value—so why should Urdu always come for free? She reflects on the importance of giving Urdu, its literature and its cultural ecosystem the value and respect they deserve.
The conversation becomes deeply personal as Huma goes down memory lane and remembers her father, Khalil-ur-Rehman Azmi, who passed away when she was only five-and-a-half years old. She recalls receiving the prestigious Ghalib Award on his behalf from the Vice President of India and how, by the age of seven, she began to understand that her father had been a person of considerable literary stature.
Huma also imagines the conversation she would have with her father if she could meet him today—what she would tell him, what she would ask him and how she would share everything she has done to keep his literary legacy alive.
She discusses her efforts to create greater awareness around Khalil-ur-Rehman Azmi's writings, including an upcoming ghazal album based on his poetry. She also makes a compelling case that despite his significant contribution to modern Urdu literature and his role in revolutionising modern Urdu poetry, he is yet to receive the recognition and credit that his work truly deserves.
She recalls Javed Akhtar coining a term Bheed Mein Tanha Insaan for Khalil Sahib and reveals aspects of her father’s personality and life that were known only to members of the household.
Huma also talks about her journey as a filmmaker and her directorial venture on Majaz, one of Urdu poetry’s most fascinating and celebrated voices. She explains why she chose Majaz as the subject of her film and reflects on the recognition the film received at international film festivals.
The conversation moves to her book The Allure of Aligarh and the special place Aligarh occupies in her life and imagination. She talks about celebrating Aligarh during its centenary celebrations and what the institution, its history and its cultural legacy mean to her.
Huma also opens up about her relationship with cinema, sharing her likes and dislikes and what she personally looks for in films and storytelling.
Faridoon brings the conversation to an end with his trademark Rapid Fire. Ghalib, Faiz, Majaz, Javed Akhtar, Gulzar, Ismat Chughtai, Qurutlain Haider were discussed and celebrated in the best possible manner.
Truly an eye opening conversation!
00:00 - Intro
2:30 - Pressure and Legacy
4:37 - Khaleel-Ur-Rehman Azmi
11:56 - Translating Khaleel-Ur-Rehman Azmi's Work
15:26 - Uruj-e-Fann
18:44 - Popularity and Visibility of Khaleel-Ur-Rehman Azmi
23:00 - Khaleel-Ur-Rehman Azmi's Untold Stories
30:30 - An Evening with Khaleel-Ur-Rehman Azmi
32:33 - A Nazm for Khaleel-Ur-Rehman Azmi
34:34 - Rang Aur Noor
39:35 - Performing in North America
41:22 - Rabbi Shergill
43:05 - More Shows in North America
45:09 - Ticketing Jashn-e-Rekhta
49:37 - Documenting Interaction with Artists
52:03 - Jashn-e-Rekhta Shows in London and Dubai
52:54 - Majaz: A Life in Poetry
57:46 - Majaz Lakhnawi
58:51 - Working Process of Majaz: A Life in Poetry
1:00:16 - Huma Khalil's Next Movies
1:01:10 - Film Making
1:02:40 - Imtiaz Ali
1:04:18 - The Allure of Aligarh: A Poetic Journey into the University City
1:10:47 - English and Urdu
1:14:17 - Individualism
1:17:45 - Future of Huma Khalil
1:19:12 - Rapid Fire Round
1:22:38 - This or That
1:26:22 - A Sher Defining Huma Khalil
1:26:58 - Javed Akhtar's Sher
1:27:47 - Outro
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Legacy Conversations with Faridoon Shahryar:
Legacy Conversations with Faridoon Shahryar
Memorable Conversations with Faridoon Shahryar:
Memorable Conversations with Faridoon Shah...
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Connect with Me :-
Facebook - Facebook: faridoon.shahryar
Twitter - Twitter: ifaridoon
Instagram - Instagram: ifaridoon
Youtube - faridoons
-----------------------------------------------
#faridoonshahryar #bollywoodinterview #bollywoodpodcast #HumaKhalil
20 Comments
Aap ma sha allah bohot lajawaab shakhsiyat hain aur itni creative hain aur aapka bohot bohot shukriya ke aapne mujhe ye golden opportunity di.
Huma, please take a sabbatical and complete that film. You are sui generis, and I cannot wait to see the dazzling contributions you will continue to make to Urdu and to the extraordinary culture that produced its fikr, its adab, and its poetry.
And I have to say this about you and Sanjiv together. What you have created with Rekhta is nothing short of a cultural phenomenon. You have not simply preserved Urdu; you have made it contemporary, accessible, glamorous, and alive for millions around the world. To have built an ecosystem of eighteen verticals around a language and its literature requires not only vision, but imagination, scholarship, persistence, and an extraordinary generosity of spirit. You have given Urdu a magnificent new home in the digital age while opening its doors to generations who might otherwise never have discovered its riches.
You and Sanjiv truly deserve to be called the Golden Couple of Urdu. Thank you for everything you have done—and continue to do—for the language we love. Keep dazzling us!
With respect, admiration, and love, naturally.
Azra apa
Your “Shahid Chacha”, that is our beloved Father Syed Shahid Mahdi, had abiding love for Khaleel Ur Rehman Saab and Shahryar Saab, and his roots in Aligarh, despite a long career away as IAS and at the UN
Rekhta is a calling and You are unique and gifted. I am so proud and grateful to have you in our lives
Loads of love and how amazing to see Shahryar Saab’s son here.
Fantastic 🥰🙏💕✨❤️🌟🌟🌟💕💕💕💕
Knowing Khalil-ur-Rahman Azmi through his daughter, listening to her talk about him and her journey is wonderful. Knowing Rekhta through the person who is now running it and taking it forward is a pleasure in itself. It is wonderful to see how that legacy has grown and reached so many people.
And Faridoon, as always, is brilliant. His way of having a conversation rather than just conducting an interview makes these discussions so enjoyable.
A very lovely and meaningful conversation. Really enjoyed watching it......hope to have one such session with Huma soon :)
Abba, Rekhta and me: Huma Khalil Untold Story
Faridoon Shahryar
22,602 views
In this memorable conversation with Faridoon Shahryar, Huma Khalil, Creative Director of Rekhta Foundation, opens up about her extraordinary journey with Urdu, Rekhta and the enduring legacy of her father, the legendary Urdu poet and critic Khalil-ur-Rehman Azmi.
Huma explains why Jashn-e-Rekhta became a ticketed event from 2023 onwards. Her argument is simple yet thought-provoking: people are willing to pay for experiences they value—so why should Urdu always come for free? She reflects on the importance of giving Urdu, its literature and its cultural ecosystem the value and respect they deserve.
The conversation becomes deeply personal as Huma goes down memory lane and remembers her father, Khalil-ur-Rehman Azmi, who passed away when she was only five-and-a-half years old. She recalls receiving the prestigious Ghalib Award on his behalf from the Vice President of India and how, by the age of seven, she began to understand that her father had been a person of considerable literary stature.
Huma also imagines the conversation she would have with her father if she could meet him today—what she would tell him, what she would ask him and how she would share everything she has done to keep his literary legacy alive.
She discusses her efforts to create greater awareness around Khalil-ur-Rehman Azmi's writings, including an upcoming ghazal album based on his poetry. She also makes a compelling case that despite his significant contribution to modern Urdu literature and his role in revolutionising modern Urdu poetry, he is yet to receive the recognition and credit that his work truly deserves.
She recalls Javed Akhtar coining a term Bheed Mein Tanha Insaan for Khalil Sahib and reveals aspects of her father’s personality and life that were known only to members of the household.
Huma also talks about her journey as a filmmaker and her directorial venture on Majaz, one of Urdu poetry’s most fascinating and celebrated voices. She explains why she chose Majaz as the subject of her film and reflects on the recognition the film received at international film festivals.
The conversation moves to her book The Allure of Aligarh and the special place Aligarh occupies in her life and imagination. She talks about celebrating Aligarh during its centenary celebrations and what the institution, its history and its cultural legacy mean to her.
Huma also opens up about her relationship with cinema, sharing her likes and dislikes and what she personally looks for in films and storytelling.
Faridoon brings the conversation to an end with his trademark Rapid Fire. Ghalib, Faiz, Majaz, Javed Akhtar, Gulzar, Ismat Chughtai, Qurutlain Haider were discussed and celebrated in the best possible manner.
Truly an eye opening conversation!
00:00 - Intro
2:30 - Pressure and Legacy
4:37 - Khaleel-Ur-Rehman Azmi
11:56 - Translating Khaleel-Ur-Rehman Azmi's Work
15:26 - Uruj-e-Fann
18:44 - Popularity and Visibility of Khaleel-Ur-Rehman Azmi
23:00 - Khaleel-Ur-Rehman Azmi's Untold Stories
30:30 - An Evening with Khaleel-Ur-Rehman Azmi
32:33 - A Nazm for Khaleel-Ur-Rehman Azmi
34:34 - Rang Aur Noor
39:35 - Performing in North America
41:22 - Rabbi Shergill
43:05 - More Shows in North America
45:09 - Ticketing Jashn-e-Rekhta
49:37 - Documenting Interaction with Artists
52:03 - Jashn-e-Rekhta Shows in London and Dubai
52:54 - Majaz: A Life in Poetry
57:46 - Majaz Lakhnawi
58:51 - Working Process of Majaz: A Life in Poetry
1:00:16 - Huma Khalil's Next Movies
1:01:10 - Film Making
1:02:40 - Imtiaz Ali
1:04:18 - The Allure of Aligarh: A Poetic Journey into the University City
1:10:47 - English and Urdu
1:14:17 - Individualism
1:17:45 - Future of Huma Khalil
1:19:12 - Rapid Fire Round
1:22:38 - This or That
1:26:22 - A Sher Defining Huma Khalil
1:26:58 - Javed Akhtar's Sher
1:27:47 - Outro
--------------
Legacy Conversations with Faridoon Shahryar:
Legacy Conversations with Faridoon Shahryar
Memorable Conversations with Faridoon Shahryar:
Memorable Conversations with Faridoon Shah...
-------------
Connect with Me :-
Facebook - Facebook: faridoon.shahryar
Twitter - Twitter: ifaridoon
Instagram - Instagram: ifaridoon
Youtube - faridoons
-----------------------------------------------
#faridoonshahryar #bollywoodinterview #bollywoodpodcast #HumaKhalil