Renowned Bollywood lyricist Sameer Anjaan, famous for hits like “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,” faced immense poverty and struggle in Mumbai despite being the son of legendary poet Anjaan.
Early Days: Surviving on Stolen Bread
Sameer Anjaan, a name synonymous with many iconic Bollywood songs, had a beginning far from glitzy. Leaving his job and moving to Mumbai to pursue his dream of becoming a lyricist, he encountered harsh realities.
He recalled days of extreme hardship, having to steal food to survive. Coming from a comfortable life in Benaras, he knew little about cooking, relying on biscuits for breakfast and bananas for dinner. For lunch, he depended on puris stolen for him by a kind stranger at a South Indian restaurant.
A Distant Father and a Hard-Won Reunion
For a long time, Sameer’s famous father, Anjaan, was unaware of his son’s struggles in Mumbai. It took a heartfelt letter from Sameer’s mother, describing his emaciated state and difficult living conditions, to finally reach his father.
After 23 long years, Sameer finally reunited with his father. Despite their strained relationship, Anjaan, who himself had struggled for 17 years before finding success, put his son’s talent to the test. Sameer passed, but his father offered no easy shortcuts, refusing to use his influence for referrals.
A Crushing Setback and a Ray of Hope
Sameer faced a devastating rejection early in his career. He approached a music director, a friend of his father’s, hoping for a break. After reviewing 40 of Sameer’s songs, the director harshly dismissed his work, calling him “terrible” and even throwing his diary out the window.
Broken but not defeated, Sameer picked up his diary and headed to Usha Khanna, one of India’s pioneering female music directors. In a pivotal moment, Khanna listened to just four of his poems, the very ones that had just been so cruelly rejected. Impressed, she immediately decided to record them, launching Sameer’s career.
The Ascent to Stardom
This critical break paved the way for Sameer Anjaan’s rapid rise. He gained immense fame in the early 90s, penning lyrics for blockbuster films like “Aashiqui” (1990), “Deewana” (1992), and “Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke” (1993), earning him three Filmfare Awards.
A Sweet Confrontation
Years later, a successful Sameer Anjaan bumped into the same music director who had once so cruelly dismissed his talent. The director avoided eye contact, but Sameer, now at the peak of his career, chose to confront him, finally clearing the air and asserting his hard-earned success.
- Sameer Anjaan survived on stolen food in Mumbai while pursuing his lyricist dream.
- He reconnected with his famous father, Anjaan, after 23 years, facing a test of his talent.
- Despite a harsh rejection from one music director, Usha Khanna recognized his potential, giving him his first break.
- He went on to become one of Bollywood’s most successful lyricists, with numerous iconic songs.
Sameer’s journey is a powerful testament to resilience, proving that true talent and perseverance can overcome even the most daunting obstacles and rejections.
