Sameer is a prominent Indian movie lyricist who works primarily for the Hindi film industry, also known as Bollywood. He is credited for writing the lyrics for more than 500 Hindi films including 4000 songs. His works have also been honoured with prestigious awards like Filmfare and Zee Cine Awards. He has also authored lyrics for regional films including Bhojpuri and Marathi cinema. He is also associated with the online talent agency `Tumbhi` where he reviews and nurtures the artworks of various artists. His biography, named `Sameer - A Way with Words` and written by Derek Bose, was released in the year 2007 by Amitabh Bachchan.
Early Life of Sameer
Sameer was born on 24th February 1958 near Banaras in the state of Uttar Pradesh to the famed Hindi lyricist, Anjaan (Lalji Pandey). His official name is Shitala Pandey, however he is known by his nickname Rajan. He did his post graduation from Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi with a degree in commerce. After completing education he began working as a bank officer at the Central Bank of India. He left the job after a few days of joining for pursuing a career as a lyricist. For this he moved to Mumbai in the year 1980.
Career of Sameer
Sameer started his career in the Hindi film industry in 1983 as a lyricist with the movie Bekhabar. In the following year he penned the song `Maar Ke Kataaree Mar Jaibe` for a Bhojpuri flick named Bairi Saawan. The song was sung by Preeti Sagar and Suresh Wadkar. Sameer gained recognition in 1990 by writing the lyrics of hit songs for the films Aashiqui and Dil.
The song `Nazar Ke Saamne` in the former became a chartbuster. In the subsequent years he earned a prominent position among the leading lyricists of Bollywood. Renowned lyricists Anand Bakshi, Majrooh Sultanpuri and his father Anjaan were his inspirations for work. Some of the songs which rendered huge success to Sameer are from the films like Dhadkan, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Raja Hindustani, Saajan, Raaz, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Tere Naam, Race, Rowdy Rathore, Saawariya, Dabangg 2 and many more.
Sameer has been the most preferred lyricist of the well known music composer duo Nadeem-Shravan. He has also worked extensively under the music composition of another renowned music composer duo Anand-Milind. Apart from these he has also worked with famous music directors like A. R. Rahman, Anu Malik, Jatin Lalit, Rajesh Roshan, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Ismail Darbar, Sajid-Wajid and others.
Achievements of Sameer
Sameer has won three Filmfare Awards for Best Lyricist in the years 1991, 1993 and 1994 for the songs `Nazar Ke Saamne` (Aashiqui), `Teri Umeed Tera Intezar Karte Hai` (Deewana) and `Ghungat Ke Aad Se` (Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke) respectively. He also won a Zee Cine Award in 1999 for the song `Tum Paas Aaye` from the film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.
Personal Life of Sameer
Sameer is married to Anita Pandey and the couple is blessed with two daughters named Suchita and Sanchita and a son named Siddhesh.
