Mumbai, February 23: In the golden era of 80s and 90s Bollywood, timeless melodies defined romance on screen. While singers like Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik earned endless acclaim, the lyricist behind those unforgettable words often stayed in the shadows. Today, as Sameer Anjaan celebrates his 68th birthday on February 24, we dive into the extraordinary journey of the man whose pen turned Bollywood’s biggest Khans into romantic icons.
Born in the narrow, bustling lanes of Banaras, Sameer never envisioned a life scripting Bollywood hits. His father, the legendary lyricist Anjaan, had penned classics but forbade his son from entering the cutthroat film industry. Undeterred by paternal warnings, Sameer’s literary flair emerged early. School scribbles evolved into poetry and shayari by college, landing him gigs at All India Radio and Doordarshan.
The pull of songwriting proved irresistible. Defying his father’s wishes—and briefly attempting a bank job that lasted just two days—Sameer arrived in Mumbai armed with a notebook of ready lyrics. Rejections piled up as he pitched to composers, until Usha Khanna spotted his talent. Her film ‘Bekhabar’ featured his debut: ‘Gori Parshan Hai, Kaali Parshan Hai.’
Breakthrough arrived via connections. Close with music directors Anand-Milind, Sameer tagged along for Aamir Khan’s ‘Dil’ after their success with ‘Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak.’ That marked the start of a golden streak. Hits flowed from his pen for blockbusters like ‘Beta,’ ‘Saajan,’ ‘Raja Babu,’ ‘Kooli No. 1,’ ‘Raja Hindustani,’ ‘Anjaam,’ ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,’ ‘Fiza,’ ‘Dhadkan,’ ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham,’ ‘Devdas,’ ‘Raaj’ and ‘Dil Hai Tumhaara.’
Sameer’s romantic verses transformed Salman Khan in ‘Tere Naam,’ ‘Saajan,’ ‘No Entry,’ and ‘Dabangg 2’; Shah Rukh Khan in ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ vibes of ‘Dilwale’ and ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’; and Aamir Khan in ‘Dil’ and ‘Dhoom.’ He holds the record for most songs penned in Hindi cinema, blending Bhopuri roots with universal appeal.
From Banaras’ ghats to Mumbai’s studios, Sameer’s story is one of passion triumphing over odds. As he blows 68 candles, Bollywood salutes the prince of the pen who made love eternal on celluloid.