Siddharth Anand Biography – Exploring his personal life and Career

Siddharth Raj Anand is an Indian filmmaker. A grandson of screenwriter Inder Raj Anand, he is primarily known for his work with Yash Raj Films. He first became known for directing the successful romantic comedies Salaam Namaste (2005), Ta Ra Rum Pum (2007), Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008) and Anjaana Anjaani (2010). He established himself as a leading action filmmaker with Bang Bang! (2014), Fighter (2024) and the YRF Spy Universe films War (2019) and Pathaan (2023) – all of these rank among the highest-grossing Hindi films.

In 2021, Anand launched his own production company, Marflix, whose first release came with his next directorial, the aerial actioner Fighter (2024).

Early and personal life

Anand’s father was Bittu Anand, the producer of the vigilante action film Shahenshah (1988). His paternal grandfather is writer Inder Raj Anand. He is married to Mamta Anand (née Bhatia) and has a son, Ranveer. Along with his wife, he owns and runs a production house called Marflix Pictures.

Career

Initial work (2001–2004)

After working as an assistant director on the comedy Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi (2001) and the coming-of-age romantic comedy Mujhse Dosti Karoge! (2002), Anand began his career in films as the screenplay co-writer, executive producer, and associate director for the romantic comedy Hum Tum (2004).

Directorial debut and rise to prominence with romantic comedies (2005–2010)

He made his directorial debut with Yash Raj Films’ romantic comedy-drama Salaam Namaste (2005), starring Saif Ali Khan and Preity Zinta in lead roles. The film, which told the story of a cohabitating couple and their subsequent struggle with an unexpected pregnancy, received positive reviews from critics upon release, with major praise directed towards its bold storyline. It emerged as the third highest-grossing Indian film of the year, and the highest-grossing Indian film of the year in overseas markets.

He next wrote and directed the sports family drama Ta Ra Rum Pum (2007), again starring Khan alongside Rani Mukerji in lead roles. The film opened to mixed reviews from critics, but emerged as a moderate commercial success, ranking as the tenth highest-grossing Indian film of the year.

Around this time, he also directed the romantic comedy Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008), starring Ranbir Kapoor, Bipasha Basu, Deepika Padukone and Minissha Lamba in lead roles. The film received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, and emerged as a commercial success at the box-office, ranking as the eighth-highest grossing Indian film of the year.

His fourth directorial venture was the romantic comedy-drama Anjaana Anjaani (2010), again starring Kapoor opposite Priyanka Chopra in lead roles. The film received positive reviews for its novel concept, soundtrack and cast performances, and emerged as a commercial success at the box-office, ranking as the ninth highest-grossing Indian film of the year.

Foray into action films (2014–present)

In 2014, Anand forayed into directing action films, with his first venture being the action comedy Bang Bang (2014) starring Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif in lead roles. Bang Bang was his first film to enter the coveted Rs. 100 Crore Club. A remake of the American film Knight and Day (2010), the film opened to mixed reviews from critics; however, it emerged as a major commercial success at the box-office, ranking as the fourth highest-grossing Indian film of the year.

He followed Bang Bang with the action film War (2019) again starring Roshan alongside Tiger Shroff and Vaani Kapoor in lead roles. A part of the YRF Spy Universe, War was the first film to be shot in the Arctic Circle. It received positive reviews upon release, but emerged as the highest-grossing Indian film of the year and the 17th highest-grossing Indian film of all time.

His seventh film was the action thriller Pathaan (2023), starring Shah Rukh Khan, Padukone and John Abraham in lead roles, was also a part of the same universe. This film marked Khan’s comeback film after a four-year hiatus. The film received positive reviews from critics upon release. He is the only director to have conceptualized and directed two films of this universe, with War and Pathaan being the third and fourth films in the YRF Spy Universe.

With Pathaan, Anand has set records including delivering the all-time highest grossing Bollywood film net domestically and the second worldwide highest grossing Bollywood film (excluding China), highest grossing Hindi film domestically, highest grossing YRF’s Spy Universe film, the fastest Hindi movie to gross 500+ crore, and highest single-day collection for any Indian film. Anand became the only Hindi film director to have delivered five 50+ crore net box office days and five 100+ crore worldwide gross box office days. Pathaan also established a record of having the highest opening day collection made by a Bollywood movie in India of over 57 crores net domestically in India and over 106 crores worldwide. Pathaan has earned over 1058 Crores worldwide, thus entering the 1000 Crore Club Worldwide and over 543 crores net domestically in India thus entering the 500 Crore Club in India/Bollywood.

He is next set to direct the aerial action film Fighter (2024), starring Padukone, Roshan and Anil Kapoor in lead roles, which would serve as the first film in a planned aerial action franchise.

Spy Universe

After receiving positive talk from War, Anand decided to convert the film into a franchise. As following events of film Pathaan, Aditya Chopra and Anand began developing Spy Universe. Anand developed two projects in the past and will develop in one more project titled Tiger vs Pathaan.

Filmography

As assistant director

• Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi (2001)
• Mujhse Dosti Karoge! (2002)
• Hum Tum (2004)

Television

Awards and nominations

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