From Poverty to Prolific Lyricist: Sameer Anjaan's Inspirational Journey
Lyricist Sameer Anjaan, son of the celebrated lyricist Anjaan, shares his journey from living in poverty in Mumbai to becoming one of the most prolific lyricists in Bollywood. Despite his father's disapproval, Sameer's determination and resilience led him to carve his own path in the film industry.
BollywoodLyricistSameer AnjaanMumbaiStruggleReal Estate MumbaiAug 24, 2025
Anjaan, Sameer's father, had himself endured nearly two decades of struggle before achieving a breakthrough with the unforgettable track Khaike Paan Banaras Wala from Don (1978). This song altered his career overnight, bringing him acclaim and stability. However, the scars of those years of rejection and hardship never left him. Determined that his children should never suffer the same fate, Anjaan firmly advised his son to avoid following his path into the world of poetry or film. Despite his own accomplishments, he rarely engaged with his son, maintaining a distance that lasted for over twenty years.
Contrary to his father’s warnings, Sameer refused to accept a conventional life. As he later shared in a conversation on the YouTube channel Zindagi with Richa, he was determined to carve his own place in Bollywood, even if it meant walking away from security. At the age of 23, he boarded a train to Mumbai, choosing to challenge both life and his father’s authority.
The decision plunged him into months of financial strain and loneliness. While his father lived in comfort in Juhu, he endured cramped rooms in Mumbai chawls, sharing toilets with dozens of others. Despite being in the same city, he could not bring himself to approach his father. He explained that his father’s distance during childhood had shaped his sense of alienation—he remembered seeing him only a handful of times, and the relationship felt more like that of strangers.
In the same interview, Sameer revealed that his father’s advice was consistent: he could pursue any ambition in life except poetry or film lyrics. Anjaan believed no parent should want their child to undergo the same relentless struggles they had endured. Sameer, however, was unwilling to give up his dream. Although he had been academically bright and had even worked briefly in a bank, the pull of Mumbai was irresistible. His family grieved his departure, fearing they were losing yet another son to the uncertainties of the city.
Once in Mumbai, reality was harsh. He returned to his hometown of Varanasi once, wearing a torn ten-rupee shirt, shocking his mother with his disheveled state. He admitted to sleeping hungry on many nights, constantly questioning his choices. Yet every morning, he forced himself to begin anew. He scraped together a living by contributing to magazines, feeling a sense of triumph when he earned as little as five hundred rupees. But when his mother realized how he was surviving, she wrote angrily to his father, holding him responsible for neglecting their son. Only then did Anjaan learn, through relatives, that Sameer had been living incognito in Mumbai. At twenty-three, he finally had his first real meeting with his father, a moment filled with both confrontation and suppressed emotion.
That meeting, Sameer recalled, was complicated. Although his father eventually offered help, the young lyricist’s pride and frustration pushed him to resist. Speaking about it, he admitted he was fueled by anger and a stubborn resolve not to rely on his father’s influence. He wanted to prove to himself and the world that he could survive on his own terms. In another interview with DD Urdu, he elaborated on just how challenging those years were. Coming from the comfort of Benaras, where he had never even fetched a glass of water for himself, the transition was brutal. He had no cooking skills, surviving on tea and biscuits. For lunch, he struck a deal with a man from Uttar Pradesh who worked in a South Indian restaurant near Khar station; the man would sneak puris for him, and he paid ten rupees daily for this modest meal. Dinner, when not offered at someone else’s home, was often reduced to just a banana.
“I have seen the hardest times in Mumbai. I was the same boy who didn’t even have to take a glass of water by myself when I was back in Benaras. I didn’t know how to cook; I just knew how to make tea. Biscuits were my breakfast...” he said.
Born as Shitala Pandey, Sameer Anjaan, widely known simply as Sameer, would go on to become one of India’s most prolific lyricists. According to the Guinness World Records, he holds the distinction of writing the highest number of songs for films. His professional journey began in 1983 with the film Bekhabar. His earliest recorded number was Maar Ke Kataari Mar Jaibe for the Bhojpuri film Bairi Saawan (1984), sung by Suresh Wadkar and Preeti Sagar.
His breakthrough moment arrived in the early 1990s with songs from Dil (1990) and Aashiqui (1990). In 1991, he earned his first Filmfare Award for Nazar Ke Saamne from Aashiqui. Over the decades, he penned lyrics for more than 4,000 songs across 500 films, cementing his reputation as a central figure in Bollywood music. Sameer’s rise was steady and impressive. He received two more Filmfare Awards in successive years—one for Teri Umeed Tera Intezaar from Deewana (1992) and another for Ghunghat Ki Aad from Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993). In 1998, he was honored with the Zee Cine Award for the title song of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.
Through the 1990s and early 2000s, he dominated Bollywood playback music, contributing to landmark films such as Beta, Saajan, Coolie No. 1, Raja Hindustani, Anjaam, Fiza, Dhadkan, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Devdas, Raaz, Dil Hai Tumhaara, and Tere Naam. His songs carried the weight of popular culture, defining an era of Hindi cinema. Later, he continued his contributions with notable work in Ishq Vishk, Dil Maange More, Asambhav, No Entry, Aksar, Dhoom 2, Race, Housefull 2, Rowdy Rathore, Dabangg 2, and many others. His lyrics have become a soundtrack to generations, blending simplicity with emotional resonance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sameer Anjaan?
Sameer Anjaan, born as Shitala Pandey, is a renowned Indian lyricist. He is known for writing over 4,000 songs across 500 films and has received several awards, including multiple Filmfare Awards.
What was Sameer Anjaan's early life like in Mumbai?
Sameer Anjaan lived in poverty in Mumbai, staying in cramped chawls and surviving on biscuits and bananas. He wore tattered shirts and often went hungry, but his determination to succeed in the film industry never wavered.
How did Sameer Anjaan's relationship with his father, Anjaan, influence his career?
Despite his father's disapproval and advice to avoid a career in poetry or film lyrics, Sameer Anjaan pursued his passion. His father's distant relationship during his childhood shaped his sense of independence and resilience.
What are some of Sameer Anjaan's notable works?
Some of Sameer Anjaan's notable works include songs from films like Dil (1990), Aashiqui (1990), Deewana (1992), Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), and many others. He has also contributed to recent films like Ishq Vishk, Dhoom 2, and Dabangg 2.
What challenges did Sameer Anjaan face in his early career?
Sameer Anjaan faced significant financial and emotional challenges. He left a secure bank job to pursue his dream in Mumbai, where he struggled with poverty, loneliness, and the pressure to succeed without his father's help.
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