Shamim Hanafi is one of the most respected literary critics, playwrights, and poets of India. A former academic in the Department of Urdu at Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi, he has also served as editor of its prestigious magazine, Jamia. He has authored several notable books on literary criticism. Some of these that need mention include Jadidiyat ki Falsafiyana Asaas; Nayi Sheri Riwayat; Tareekh, Tehzeeb aur Takhleequi Tajurba; Urdu Culture aur Taqseem ki Riwayat; Khayal ki Musaafat; and Qari Say Mukalma. He has also written four plays, translated four books, and published four children's books, which he admits to enjoying immensely. Hanfi’s poetry collection Aakhiri Pehar ki Dastak was published by Rekhta, one of its first publications, in 2015. A not-so-known fact about Hanafi is that he maintains a keen interest in painting, pottery and the performing arts.