Born as Asrar Hasan Khan, on 1st October, 1919 at Sultanpur, Azamghar, Uttar Pradesh, he received his early education in Urdu, Persian and Arabic. Young Asrar was trained at an Unani College in Lucknow to become a Hakim and he even practiced as an Unani practioner for a year. Little was know that this young man was destined to create not just ripples but storm in the Urdu Literary world with his phenomenal versatility in poetry and film song writing as Majrooh Sultanpuri.

As the first poet to be honoured with the 25th Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994 for the year 1993, Majrooh Sultanpuri was the right candidate for the award.

Young Hakim Asrar's interest in Urdu poetry rose and he started to pursue it leaving behind the lucrative and much settled profession of being a medicine man. It was this quest for poetry that brought him into the limelight. In association with progressive poets like Jigar Moradabadi, Moin Hasan Jazbi and Faiz Ahmed, he polished his pen and furnished it with biting edge of protest and national flavour. It was during this period, when he had joined the band of nationalist poets that he was arrested and imprisoned. It was after his released that he took to the pen name of Majrooh and his pen poured love and the bitter sweet pain of love.

Majrooh during this period was also lured by the advent of cinema as a media and thus he perceived his struggle towards cinema. It was A.R. Kardar who gave an opportunity to Majhrooh for his Shahjehan in 1949, and Majrooh never looked behind after that.

Majrooh Sultanpuri had written more than 8000 songs for over 330 films (including 3 in Bhojpuri). In the 50 years span of his career as a lyricist, Majrooh was at ease with his songs and never did once his poetry ever tripped the thin line of decency. He was at ease with an emotional song like Utha e ja unke sitam aur jiye ja, or a light masti number like Panch Rupaiya Baraa Aanaa, romantic song like Ai phoolon ki rani baharon ki malika tera muskurana gazab ho gaya or a cabaret number like piya tu ab to aa ja.

Credit should go to Majrooh for introducing the dialogue styled lyrics in Hindi films of the 60's like Haal kaisa hai janab ka? Kya khayal hai aap ka? , from the film Chalti Ka Naam Gadi. Songs of the kind have stood the test of time and are still popular even today. Poets and film lyricists take refuge to this style of songs even today to get the situation lively, but the line of decency that was drawn by Majrooh has somehow disappeared.

He had the distinction of working at equal ease with two generations of producers, directors music directors like Raj Kapoor - Randhir Kapoor, S.D. Burman in Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi - R.D. Burman in Caravan. It was only because of Majrooh that Ghazal found a place in film songs. His poetry encouraged one to do his duty with a dream in mind and never bother about its outcome. His association had given recognition and popularity to music directors, he proved to be lucky mascot for new comers like O.P. Nayyar-Aar Paar, Khayyam-Footpath, LaxmikantPyarelal-, R.D.Burman-Teesri Manzil, S.Madan-Batwara, Rajesh Roshan-Kunwara Baap, Basu Chaakraborty-Sabse Bada Rupaiya, Anand Milind-Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Jatin Lalit-Yaara Dildara and Tushar Bhatia-Andaz Apna Apna. Singer Talat Mahmood also got a boost for his career after rendering a song in Sujata which was worded, Jalte Hai Jiske Liye Teri Aankhon Ke Diye.

A number of other films for which Majrooh Sultanpuri had written memorable and popular songs are : C.I.D., Paying Guest, Tumsa Nahi Dekha, Kali Topi Lal Roomal, Kala Pani, Aarzoo, Mere Sanam, Mohabbat Isko Kahte Hai, Mere Hamdam Mere Dost, Budha Mil Gaya, Aar Paar, Miss Coca Cola, Ek Kunwara Ek Kunwari, Bikhre Moti, Baat Ek Raat Ki, Aanchal, Salaam Mem Saheb, Kali Raat, Jinny Aur Johnney, Kehte Hain Mujhko Raja, Phir Kab Milogi, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, Abhiman, Pakeezah, Nau Do Gyara, Mamta, Bhigi Raat, Yadon Ki Baraat, Mr. & Mrs. 55, Ganga Ki Lehren, Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon, Aarti, Dilli Ka Thug, Solvan Saal, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa.

A number of other films for which Majrooh Sultanpuri had written memorable and popular songs are : C.I.D., Paying Guest, Tumsa Nahi Dekha, Kali Topi Lal Roomal, Kala Pani, Aarzoo, Mere Sanam, Mohabbat Isko Kahte Hai, Mere Hamdam Mere Dost, Budha Mil Gaya, Aar Paar, Miss Coca Cola, Ek Kunwara Ek Kunwari, Bikhre Moti, Baat Ek Raat Ki, Aanchal, Salaam Mem Saheb, Kali Raat, Jinny Aur Johnney, Kehte Hain Mujhko Raja, Phir Kab Milogi, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, Abhiman, Pakeezah, Nau Do Gyara, Mamta, Bhigi Raat, Yadon Ki Baraat, Mr. & Mrs. 55, Ganga Ki Lehren, Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon, Aarti, Dilli Ka Thug, Solvan Saal, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa.