Varun Grover (born 26 January 1980) is an Indian writer, comedian, poet, actor and filmmaker.[1] He won the award for Best Lyricist at the 63rd National Film Awards in 2015.[2][3][4] He is also the co-creator of Aisi Taisi Democracy, a political satire show.[5] His debut feature All India Rank was the closing film at the 52nd IFFR.[6]
Varun Grover | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Varun Grover in Stockholm 2024 | |
| Born | 26 January 1980 Sundernagar, Himachal Pradesh, India |
| Occupation | |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Alma mater | Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi |
| Years active | 2004—present |
| Notable works | Masaan, Udta Punjab, Dum Laga Ke Haisha, Sacred Games, RRR |
Early life and education
Grover was born in Sundernagar, HP, to a school-teacher mother and army engineer father. His family is Punjabi.[7] He spent his initial years in Dehradun, Uttarakhand and Sundernagar, before moving to Lucknow for his adolescent years. He studied civil engineering at Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi, graduating in 2003.[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]
Collaboration in the Independent music space
In 2017 Varun Grover released Beete Dino Ke Geet[16] – a song in collaboration with US-based producer Krishna Chetan.
Filmography
Films
| Year | Title | Credited as | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lyricist | Writer | Director | Actor | Notes | ||
| 2006 | Ghoom | No | Dialogues | No | No | |
| 2009 | Accident on Hill Road | No | Dialogues | No | No | |
| 2011[17] | That Girl in Yellow Boots | Yes | No | No | No | |
| 2012[18] | Peddlers | Yes | No | No | No | |
| Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 1[18] | Yes | No | No | No | ||
| Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2 | Yes | No | No | No | ||
| 2013[17] | Prague | Yes | No | No | No | |
| 2014[17] | Katiyabaaz[17] | Yes | No | No | No | |
| Ankhon Dekhi | Yes | No | No | No | ||
| 2015 | Dum Laga Ke Haisha[17] | Yes | No | No | No | |
| Bombay Velvet [19] | Yes | No | No | Yes | ||
| Masaan [18] | No | Yes | No | No | ||
| 2016[20] | Zubaan | Yes | No | No | No | |
| Fan | Yes | No | No | No | ||
| Raman Raghav 2.0[20] | Yes | No | No | No | ||
| Udta Punjab | Yes | No | No | No | ||
| 2017[21] | Newton | Yes | No | No | No | |
| 2018 | Kaala | Yes | No | No | No | |
| Sui Dhaaga | Yes | No | No | No | ||
| 2019 | Sonchiriya | Yes | No | No | No | |
| 2021 | Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar | No | Yes | No | No | |
| 2022 | RRR | Yes | No | No | No | Dubbed version |
| Badhaai Do | Yes | No | No | No | ||
| Monica, O My Darling | Yes | No | No | No | ||
| Samrat Prithviraj | Yes | No | No | No | ||
| Kiss | No | Yes | Yes | No | Short film | |
| Qala | Yes | No | No | Yes | ||
| 2023 | Dunki | Yes | No | No | No | |
| 2024 | Merry Christmas | |||||
| All India Rank | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | [6] | |
Television
| Year | Title | Credited as |
|---|---|---|
| 2004–2006[11] | The Great Indian Comedy Show | Writer |
| 2007 | SAB Ka Bheja Fry | |
| 2007–2008 | Ranvir Vinay Aur Kaun?[22] | |
| 2008–2009 | Oye! It's Friday![11] | |
| 2008–2009 | 10 Ka Dum | |
| 2009 | Ghar Ki Baat Hai[23] | |
| 2009–2013[24] | Jay Hind! | |
| 2018–2019 | Sacred Games | Writer and Executive producer |
Books
- Paper Chor (2018), Jugnoo Prakashan
- Biksu (2019), Ektara India
- Karejwa (2020), Bakarmaxindia
Awards and nominations
_for_Dum_Laga_Ke_Haisha,_at_the_63rd_National_Film_Awards_Function,_in_New_Delhi.jpg)
| Award | Year | Work | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Award | 2013 | "Womaniya"–Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 1 | Best Lyrics | Nominated | |
| 2016 | "Moh Moh Ke Dhaage"–Dum Laga Ke Haisha | Won | [25][26] | ||
| Filmfare Awards | 2016 | "Moh Moh Ke Dhaage"–Dum Laga Ke Haisha | Best Lyricist | Nominated | [27] |
| 2022 | Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar | Best Story | Nominated | [28] | |
| Best Screenplay | Nominated | [28] | |||
| Best Dialogue | Won | [28] | |||
| Global Indian Music Academy Awards | 2016 | "Moh Moh Ke Dhaage"–Dum Laga Ke Haisha | Best Lyricist | Won | |
| Best Film Song | Nominated | ||||
| Mirchi Music Awards | 2014 | "Aayi Bahar"–Ankhon Dekhi | Raag-Inspired Song of the Year | Nominated | |
| 2016 | "Moh Moh Ke Dhaage"–Dum Laga Ke Haisha | Lyricist of the Year | Won | ||
| 2017 | Udta Punjab | Album of the Year | Nominated | ||
| National Film Awards | 2016 | "Moh Moh Ke Dhaage"–Dum Laga Ke Haisha | Best Lyrics | Won | [29][2] |
| Times of India Film Awards | 2016 | Dum Laga Ke Haisha | Best Lyrics | Won | |
| Zee Cine Awards | 2016 | "Moh Moh Ke Dhaage"–Dum Laga Ke Haisha | Best Lyricist | Won | [30] |
