Gulaal, the project closest to Anurag Kashyaps heart, took shape in 2001, when he was listening to songs from Pyaasa andPaanch was struggling with censors. Inspired by a song from Pyaasa, Yeh duniya agar mil bhi jaaye to kya hai, the film is a dedication to Sahir Ludhianwi, the lyricist of the song and all other poets who had a vision of India.