Mumbai, November 6, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Actress Juhi Babbar has paid an emotional tribute to her grandfather, renowned Urdu writer and Marxist thinker Comrade Syed Sajjad Zaheer, on his 121st birth anniversary, saying her theatre production ‘Ek Lamhaa Zindagi’ has helped her develop a deep connection with him despite never having met him.
In an Instagram post, Juhi revealed that her grandfather passed away long before she was born, leaving her with a lifelong regret of not having known him personally. However, she said working on the play, which is based on the lives of her grandparents, has brought her closer to his memories and personality.
“Today marks the 121st birth anniversary of my Nana, Comrade Syed Sajjad Zaheer. 5th November 1905. This birthday feels different. Somehow, it no longer feels like just my grandfather’s birthday. I never had the good fortune of meeting my Nana,” she wrote.
Juhi explained that although Zaheer does not physically appear in the play, the story unfolds through her grandmother’s perspective, making his presence central to its emotions and memories.
She described him as a close yet larger-than-life figure in her life and expressed pride in being his eldest grandchild.
The actress also thanked her mother, veteran actor and theatre personality Nadira Zaheer Babbar, for helping her remain connected to the family’s legacy.
“Happy Birthday, Nana. You continue to live through your words, your legacy, and now, through our stories,” she wrote.
Syed Sajjad Zaheer was an Indian Urdu writer, Marxist thinker and revolutionary who was associated with the Communist Party of India. His literary and political contributions remain an important part of India’s cultural and progressive intellectual history.
FOLLOW NOW
