Inder Raj Anand

Scenarist and dialogue writer born in Miani (now Pakistan); uncle of Mukul S. Anand. Student years in Lahore and Hyderabad. Closely associated with the IPTA’s Bombay branch. Major contribution as playwright for Prithviraj Kapoor’s Prithvi Theatres: Deewar and Ghaddar mark its IPTA-influenced early 40s radical phase. Publicist for Minerva when Raj Kapoor hired him to write Aag (1948), leading to further collaborations: Aah (1953), Chhalia (1960), Sangam (1964), Sapnon Ka Saudagar (1968). Also scripted Mohan Segal’s landmark satire New Delhi and the Dev Anand whodunit CID (both 1956). Since early 60s, worked mainly as a ‘genre professional’ for South Indian producers wishing to enter the Bombay-based mainstream: e.g. dialogues for the Hindi films of L.V. Prasad, K. Balachander, Adurthi Subba Rao and Bharathirajaa. Regular scenarist for 80s director Rajkumar Kohli.

Wrote and directed one film, Phoolon Ki Sej (1964), influenced, he claimed, by James Jones’s From Here To Eternity and Doris Lessing. Other script and/or dialogue credits include: Phool Aur Kaante (1948); Birha Ki Raat (1950); Anari, Chhoti Bahen (both 1959); Sasural (1961); Dil Tera Diwana (1962); Bahurani, Hamrahi (both 1963); Beti Bete, Dulha Dulhan (both 1964); Aasmaan Mahal (1965); Chhota Bhai (1966); Vaasna (1968); Bhai Bahen, Nannha Farishta (both 1969); Devi, Safar (both 1970); Jawani Diwani, Anokha Daan (both 1972); Gaai Aur Gori, Samjhauta, Insaaf (all 1973); Prem Nagar, Shubh Din, Faasla, Aaina (all 1974); Julie, Raja, Sunehra Sansar (all 1975); Maa, Nagin (both 1976); Yahi Hai Zindagi (1977); Lovers, Yeh Ishq Nahin Asaan (both 1983); Ek Nai Paheli, Jeene Nahin Doonga, Raj Tilak (all 1984).

Writer