Anees Bazmee: The Magic Weaver and Comedy Maestro of Filmmaking

There was a close friendship between my guru Pandit Pannalal Vyas and Anees Bazmee's father, the very intelligent poet Abdul Hameed 'Nerang'. At that time I had not started writing in Mayapuri. I was a student in school. Pannalal uncle was also a good friend of my father. Because of this, he used to often visit our house. One day Pannalal uncle and Abdul Hameed Saheb came to our house. Hameed Saheb's influence as a poet and shayar was clearly visible.

Pannalal uncle said that Abdul Saheb's son is an actor and assistant director in films and is also a very good screenplay writer. Pannalal uncle, while mentioning Anees, had called him pure gold.

Who knew at that time that this pure gold, after being tempered by the storms of circumstances and thousands of Obstacles, problems, and troubles, would one day bring such a shine to Indian cinema, Hindi Bollywood and to his family, whose shine would dazzle everyone's eyes.
Today, as a writer from Mayapuri, I often find myself interviewing Anees Bazmee  It makes me wish that my mentors, Pannalal Vyas, and Anees Bazmee's parents, could witness the success and glory that Anees Bazmee has achieved through his name from a shining gold to a sparkling diamond in the fire of his passion.

Anees Bazmee was born on November 1, 1962 in the lively yet small town of Modasa in Gujarat. Growing up in a culturally rich environment, Anees became familiar with the world of storytelling from a young age, around the fifth grade. He was deeply influenced by his father, who was a renowned poet and writer in Gujarati. Even though his father excelled in Gujarati poetry and shayari, he encouraged Anees to write in Urdu. Anees would often accompany his father to poetic gatherings and mushairas, bringing the poets, paan, bidi, water, and tea.

Surrounded by legendary poets and immersed in a creative atmosphere, Anees developed a passion for writing and cinema, without even realizing it. In his childhood, his entire family moved to Mumbai. Life in Mumbai became challenging for the family, with no permanent residence, financial instability, and overall difficulties. Due to his father's distress and the deteriorating situation at home, young Anees found himself seeking various odd jobs to help make ends meet.

In the late 1970s Anees Bazmee began his career as a child artist. However, as he grew up, the roles as a child artist became scarce. Undeterred by the challenges, Anees continued to explore new opportunities. He appeared in numerous films as a child artist, including portraying a young Shatrughan Sinha. Despite facing obstacles and a decline in child artist roles, Anees's resilience and determination kept him going.

AneesBazmee's story is one of overcoming hardships and never giving up in the face of adversity. Until then, Anees Bazmee had become familiar with the film industry and started getting small production jobs. Sometimes as an assistant to someone, sometimes doing odd jobs like delivering or carrying shooting equipment, he would quietly do whatever was needed to earn some money. Those were days of long and hard struggle, he worked day and night. The whole night he would keep awake and write assignment scripts and his mom dear, was always by his side the whole night, with a kettle of hot tea and a cup for him. The hardships he faced, if anyone else in his place might have quit the film industry. The talent for writing was in his blood. Gradually, he started helping well-established writers in writing film stories and scripts. Seeing his writing skills, many established writers started getting their entire stories and scripts written by Anis. Unfortunately, the sad part was that his name was never credited in those films; instead, people would put their own names. Sometimes, even after writing for months, he wasn't paid anything. One can only wonder how much ghostwriting he did.

Then he wrote the story and script for the film 'Swarg,' with a promise this time that his name would be prominently displayed on the film screens, billboards, and posters. However, despite the promise, it was not done. A very upset and angry Anees Bazmee roamed the city all night and wrote his name on the film posters and billboards. However, this was not a permanent solution. Even until the mid-1990s, he did not come into the limelight as a director. But as 1995 approached, Anis' all-around talent began to catch everyone's attention. A new journey had begun.

A new journey began as Anis Bazmee made his directorial debut in 1995 with 'Hulchul,' a film showcasing his talent for combining engaging stories with a lot of humor. The film achieved great success, and it laid the foundation for his future endeavors. His unique storytelling style, infused with witty dialogues and memorable characters, started to take shape from here.

He began to write and direct his own films, marking the start of his journey to become the comedy king. A significant turning point in Bazmee's career came with the release of 'Pyar To Hona Hi Tha' in 1998. This romantic comedy starring Ajay Devgn and Kajol was a super hit at the box office, establishing Bazmee as a fantastic director in Bollywood. His remarkable ability to intertwine romance and emotions with humor was well-received by audiences, setting the stage for his future projects.

They say hard work pays off, and soon, Bazmee found himself on a streak of hits. Following this success, he ventured into blockbuster comedies, solidifying his reputation as the "king of comedy" in Bollywood.

'No Entry' (2005): This multi-starrer film featuring Anil Kapoor, Salman Khan, and Fardeen Khan quickly became a classic. With its engaging narrative revolving around infidelity and mistaken identities, 'No Entry' not only achieved commercial success but also received praise from critics for its sharp and well-timed humor writing and performances.

'Welcome' (2007): Starring Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif, this film elevated comedy to new heights. The story of a man attempting to marry into a gangster family was filled with moments of laughter and memorable one-liners. It became one of the highest-grossing films of its time.
'Singh is Kinng' (2008): In this film, Akshay Kumar was portrayed as a lovable Punjabi character who unexpectedly becomes a leader. The unique blend of comedy, action, and catchy songs made it a favorite among audiences.

An expert in the art of storytelling, what sets Anees Bazmee apart is his ability to create compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences. His films often feature larger-than-life characters caught in humorous situations that reflect societal norms and relationships. Bazmee possesses a natural talent for crafting dialogue that is both entertaining and heartwarming, allowing viewers to connect with his characters on multiple levels.

Anees Bazmee has grown stronger with time and continued to deliver hit after hit. As fans rejoice on 1st November 2024, marking the release of 'Bhool Bhulaiya 3' on Diwali day, their expectations are high due to his proven track record of entertaining films. Let's delve into his personal life and legacy.

Anees Bazmee is known for his down-to-earth nature, practical personality, and dedication to his craft. While some may say he went from humble beginnings to great heights in Bollywood, those who truly know his family, understands that he was never on the ground to begin with. His mindset, work ethic, passion, and hard work have always been regal. From a modest start to becoming one of the most sought-after directors in Bollywood, his journey has inspired ambitious filmmakers. His contributions have not only entertained millions but also shaped the landscape of Indian comedy cinema.

Anees Bazmee's Bollywood journey is proof of his creativity, resilience, and storytelling passion. With each film, he brings a unique sensibility to comedy, bringing laughter and joy to audiences. As he evolves into a director, writer, and now a producer, there is no doubt that Anees Bazmee will continue to be a significant figure in Bollywood in the years to come.

Anees Bazmee shared some memorable moments from his career that showcase his journey and experiences in Bollywood. Here are some notable quotes:

1. Anees said, "When I made 'No Entry,' it helped me establish myself as a good director in the eyes of people. 'No Entry' is a film very close to my heart - a beautiful project that I wrote with great care."
2. Talking about Ajay Devgn, Anees remarked, "Whenever I go to him with a script, he says, 'When do we start?' This belief and support between us show how much confidence all the stars have in him."
3. Commenting on Salman Khan and emphasizing the real nature of their relationships with stars, Anees remarked, "He cares more about others beyond personal gain."
4. Describing Akshay Kumar, Anis called him a good-hearted and fun-loving person who brings entertainment to any set while showcasing the lighter side of film-making.

During the early stages of his career, Anees Bazmee had to face many financial challenges, limiting his ability to produce high-budget films. Working on multiple projects together as a writer and assistant director, he learned the importance of resourcefulness and creativity in film production. These experiences inspired him to create attractive films within budget constraints. Despite the financial instability, his early struggles in the industry shaped his later perspective on directing, where he focused on skillful production processes and contributed to successful films like 'No Entry' and 'Welcome' that resonated with audiences.

Through the transition in his career, Bazmee learned the significance of balancing, telling creative stories with commercial success. As an assistant director, he witnessed firsthand how box office performance could determine the future of projects. This insight motivated him to make films that were not only artistically satisfying but also commercially viable. His ability to blend relevant themes with humor became his directorial signature, helping him achieve significant success at the box office while maintaining creativity.

The journey from assistant director to director for Anees Bazmee was filled with challenges that ultimately shaped his directorial style. Working under the pressure of renowned producers, financial constraints, creative differences, and balancing artistic integrity with commercial success defined his perspective on cinema. These experiences have made a significant contribution to his reputation as one of Bollywood's leading directors, known for delivering entertaining and relevant films that appeal to generations.

By navigating through industry challenges and finding a balance between creativity and business success, Anees Bazmee has established him as a respected director in Bollywood.

Anees Bazmee's experiences as a director have deeply influenced his directing style, shaping his perspective on storytelling, character development, and the entire filmmaking process.

Bazmee emphasizes the importance of drawing inspiration from real-life experiences when telling a story. He often draw from everyday life for inspiration, believing that "there are no shortcuts to real-life experiences." His journey in the film industry has taught him that the truth in storytelling resonates more deeply with audiences.

Anees Bazmee also revealed insights into working with Bollywood legend Raj Kapoor, whom he assisted during the making of the film 'Prem Rog' in 1982. Starting his career as a fifth assistant director under the guidance of the great showman, actor-director Raj Kapoor, Bazmee described Kapoor as a complex individual. He praised Kapoor as an excellent director but noted that his behavior could be intimidating on set, often causing concern among the team.

Through his experiences with Raj Kapoor and his belief in authentic storytelling, Anees Bazmee has honed his craft as a director, creating films that reflect genuine human experiences and resonate with audiences on a deeper level.

Anees Bazmee's experiences as a director have deeply influenced his directing style, shaping his perspective on storytelling, character development, and the entire filmmaking process.

In an interview, Bazmee explained that the image of Raj Kapoor on screen or in the minds of his fans was completely different from his real-life personality. "If anything went wrong, he would say, 'We have 300 people on set, but we only need one person to make a mistake,'" Bazmee recalled, emphasizing the pressure felt by everyone involved. Despite this fear, he expressed deep respect for Kapoor's talent and work ethic.

Recalling his remarkable experience working with such a cinematic giant, Bazmee said, "Even after being part of his production for months, it was hard to believe that we (all the assistants) were actually working with him. We often questioned each other whether it was real or just a dream." Anees credited Kapoor for igniting his passion for film direction and production, acknowledging that the four years he spent under Kapoor's guidance were crucial to his success.

Anees also mentioned a humorous yet endearing incident where, while working with Raj Kapoor, a mistake led to Kapoor, punishing him by making him travel in a four-wheeled vehicle (jonga) with the heavy production equipment from Mumbai to Mysore instead of allowing him to fly with him in the plane during an outdoor shoot. This experience highlighted Raj Kapoor's self-reliance and importance in the film direction and production process. According to Anees, Raj Kapoor didn't need anyone, but everyone needed him, as Bazmee had told a media person. Even after Raj Kapoor passed away, he left behind a legacy that continues to inspire passionate young film directors like Anees Bazmee.

Today, Anees Bazmee is enjoying the tremendous success of 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3' and is currently in Varanasi with his team, witnessing the Ganga Aarti. He is set to begin his next film soon, with many projects lined up, including several sequels. There are high hopes for 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 4' as well as a sequel to 'No Entry.' In casual conversation, Anees mentioned that he is trying to bring Anil Kapoor back for 'No Entry.' He described actor Ajay Devgn from 'Singham Again' as "very special" and praised Salman Khan's generosity and Akshay Kumar's qualities.

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