Raj Kanwar

Raj Kanwar Biography

Raj Kanwar was a famous Bollywood director and screenwriter who directed many hit films in the 1990s. As a film director, some of his major hits are Deewana, Ladla, Jaan, Jeet, Judaai, Daag: The Fire, Baadal, Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega, Farz, Andaaz etc. A few more directorial ventures are Jaan, Kartavya, Itihaas, Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke, Ab Ke Baras, Humko Deewana Kar Gaye etc. Sadiyaan (2010) was his last theatre release. Many film actors began their film journey with Raj Kanwar films, of whom Shah Rukh Khan is the leading name. SRK’s first theatre release is Deewana in 1992, which also happens to be the debut film of the director. Luv Sinha, Amrita Rao and Arya Babbar also marked their film debut with Raj Kanwar films.

He was born in Delhi on 28 June 1961. Kanwar began his career directing plays in Delhi. To pursue his dreams in Bollywood he moved to Mumbai where he worked as an assistant director for afew years. He has worked as an assistant under Shekhar Kapur and Raj Kumar Santoshi in the late 1980s and early 1990s, before he marked his directorial debut with the romantic musical, Deewana in 1992. The love triangle starring Divya Bharati, Shah Rukh Khan and Rishi Kapoor became a blockbuster, and Raj Kanwar made an impressive debut in Bollywood. Songs of the movie also became huge chartbusters.

His second release Ladla was also a huge hit. Divya Bharati who played lead in Deewana was casted for this movie too. However after the death of the actress, she was replaced by Sridevi. From there on he directed a series of hit films, mostly romantic musicals. Songs of his movies also became huge hits, and his movies starred leading actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Sridevi, Juhi Chawla, Katrina Kaif, Anil Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai, Ajay Devgan, Tabu, Sunnu Deol etc. Many of his films were love triangles, right from his debut flick. He was only 51 when he passed away in 2012.

Published: January 04, 2020

Updated: January 04, 2020