Shitala Pandey, better known as Sameer or Sameer Anjaan, is an Indian lyricist, known for writing songs predominantly for Bollywood films. Having composed over 3,500 songs, he was recognized by Guinness World Records as the most prolific Bollywood lyricist in 2015. He has won three Filmfare Awards.
Biography
Sameer, officially named Shitala Pandey, but commonly known by his nickname Rajan, was born near Banaras, Uttar Pradesh. He earned a Master of Commerce degree at the Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi, and started a new position as a bank officer at the Central Bank of India. However, a few days after joining, he left the job because he "knew the bank was not my world". To pursue a career as a lyricist, he moved to Mumbai in 1987.
Career Sameer started his career as a lyricist in 1983 with the film Bekhabar (1983). The first film song he recorded was "Maar Ke Kataaree Mar Jaibe" for the Bhojpuri film Bairi Saawan (1984) sung by Suresh Wadkar and Preeti Sagar. In 1990, he came into prominence with songs in films such as Dil and Aashiqui. He won his first Filmfare Award in the year 1991 for the song "Nazar Ke Saamne" in the latter. In the following decades he wrote the lyrics for over 4,000 songs in more than 500 films.
According to Sameer, his inspirations have been lyricists Majrooh Sultanpuri, Anand Bakshi, and his father, Anjaan. He has often said, "Whatever I am today is only because of my father."
Sameer won two additional Filmfare Awards in 1993 and 1994; one for the song "Teri Umeed Tera Intezaar" from the movie Deewana, and the second for the song "Ghunghat Ki Aad" from Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke. In 1998, he won Zee Cine Award for "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Some of his most successful songs include songs in films like Beta, Saajan, Raja Babu, Coolie No. 1, Raja Hindustani, Anjaam, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Fiza, Dhadkan, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Devdas, Raaz, Dil Hai Tumhaara, Ishq Vishk, Dil Maange More, Tere Naam, Asambhav, Fida, No Entry, Aksar, Dhoom 2, Saawariya, Race, Damadamm!, Housefull 2, Rowdy Rathore, Son of Sardaar, Dabangg 2, Balmaa, and more.
Personal life Sameer's father, Lalji "Anjaan" Pandey, also a well known Hindi lyricist.
Sameer is married to Anita Pandey and the couple have three children: daughters Sanchita and Suchita, and son Siddhesh. His mother, Indira Pandey, lived with them.
A biography, Sameer – A Way with Words by Derek Bose, was released by Amitabh Bachchan in 2007.
Filmography as lyricist Due to Sameer's large number of works, this is an incomplete list. YearFilmNotes 1983Ek Baar Chale Aao"Phir Dil Ne Pukara", "Ek Baar Chale Aao", "Mai Hu Tere Liye"Bekhabar1986Tan-Badan1987JalwaKudrat Ka Kanoon All songs except "Mukhda Chand Ka Tukda"1990SwargAll songsKhatarnaakalong with Indeevar DilAashiquialong with Rani Malik, Surinder SethiThanedaaralong with Indeevar, Raj Sippy, and AnjaanBaaghi: A Rebel for Loveall songs1991Saathi "Zindagi Ki Talaash Mein Ham", "Aaj Ham Tum O Sanam", "Har Ghadee Bekhudee", "Mohabbat Ko Duniya", "Tera Naam Sabke Lab Pe".Afsana Pyar Ka"Yaad Teri Aati Hai Mujhe"Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahinalong with Rani Malik, Faaiz Anwar, Aziz KhanPhool Aur Kaantealong with Rani MalikSadakalong with Surinder Sethi, Rani MalikSaajanalong with Faaiz Anwar1992Sapne Sajan KeAll songsBetaAll songs, except "Nach Mundeya", "Yeh Do Dil Hai Chanchal"Aaj Ka Goonda RajAll songsJigarDeewana JunoonBol Radha BolInteha Pyar Ki 1993RangDil Tera AashiqAnariTadipaarHum Hain Rahi Pyar KeDamini1994SalaamiSuhaagGopi KishanDilwaleYeh DillagiAnjaamRaja BabuAatish: Feel the Fire KrantiveerLaadla1995RajaBarsaatJai VikraantaCoolie No 1AndolanZamaana DeewanaTaqdeerwala1996JeetAll songsSaajan Chale SasuralAgni SakshiMajhdhaarRaja Hindustani 1997ZiddiDusUnreleased filmNaseebAll songsMohabbatHero No 1Judaai 1998Saat Rang Ke SapneAunty No. 1Bade Miyan Chote MiyanPyaar Kiya To Darna KyaDulhe RajaKuch Kuch Hota HaiSoldierPyaar To Hona Hi ThaGhulamalong with Indeevar1999Baadshahalong with Javed AkhtarSarfaroshalong with Indeevar, Nida Fazli, Israr AnsariJaanwar"Paas Bulati Hai", "Mausam Kee Tarah", "Mere Sapno Ke Raj Kumar", "Tujhako Naa Dekhun", "Kasam Se", "Chhamak Chham Chhamake", "Janewale O Janewala", "Maathe Pe Chamake Isake"Sirf TumAll songsAa Ab Laut ChalenVaastav: The RealityGairDaag The FireAa Ab Laut ChalenHum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte HainMann SangharshBiwi No.1 "Mujhe Maaf Karna Om Sai Ram", "Aaja Na Chhu Le Meri Chunari", "Jungle Hai Aadhi Raat Hai", "Koi Bole Mujhe Aa Jaa", "Jabse Tumhe", "Aan Milo Yaa e Se", "Ishq Chandi Hai" 2000DhadkanAll songsDeewaneTera Jadoo Chal GayaaKunwaraDhaai Akshar Prem KeBadalHar Dil Jo Pyar KaregaHera PheriBichhooShikari"Bahut Khubsurat Gazal", "Chunari Ude To Aankh", "Goraa Pareshaan Hai", "Kudi Badi Hai Soni", "Chali Chali Ri Gori" 2001Kabhi Khushi Kabhie GhamAll songs, except "Suraj Huaa Maddham Chaand Jalane Lagaa"Chori Chori Chupke ChupkeAll songsKasoorRehnaa Hai Terre Dil MeinEk Rishtaa: The Bond of LoveHum Ho Gaye AapkeMujhe Kucch Kehna HaiAjnabeeAashiqLajja AlbelaJodi No.1"Yeh Pal Hame Yad Aayenge", "Karu Kya Dekhu Rasta Teraa", "Hero Ban Gaya Mai Toh Hero", "Meree Mehbuba Hain Sabse Hasin Sabse Juda" 2002Tum Se Achcha Kaun Hai"Ankh Hai Bhari Bhari", "Dil Gaya", "Aap Jaisa Yaar Mujhe", "Ek Duje Par Marate", "Door Waadiyo Se", "Maikade Ki Gali Mein"Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam"Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam", "Taaron Ka Chamakta", "Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam (Sad)", "Aa Gaya Aa Gaya"Devdas "More Piya"Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar KiyaAll songsJeena Sirf Merre LiyeDil Hai TumhaaraOm Jai JagadishRaaz 2003Tere NaamBaghbanAndaazDil Ka RishtaAapko Pehle Bhi Kahin Dekha Hai"Baba Ki Rani", "Aapki Yaad Aaye To", "Aap Ko Pehle Bhi Kahi Dekha Hai", "Aisi Aankhe Nahi Dekhi", "Kuchh Bhi Na Kaha", "Dil Gaya Kam Se", "Ishq Toh Jadu Hai", "Kal Bade Jor Ki", "Chhote"; co-lyricists Anand Bakshi, Nitin RaikwarIshq VishkAll songsQayamatHungamaRaja Bhaiya"Janam Janam Jo Saath", "Tu Jo Hans Ke Sanam", "Kehta Hai Mera Jiya", "Sunday Manao" 2004Tumsa Nahin Dekha: A Love StoryAll songsKhakeeFidaAitraazDhoomDil Maange MoreAsambhavBardaashtJulie Aan: Men at WorkAb Tumhare Hawale Watan SaathiyoHulchul 2005BarsaatAashiq Banaya AapneWaqt: The Race Against TimeAll songs except one written by Aatish KapadiaNo EntryAll songs Koi Aap SaDosti: Friends ForeverMaine Pyaar Kyun Kiya?BlackmailMain Aisa Hi HoonKyon KiGaram Masala (2005 film)BewafaaEk Ajnabee"Soniye", "Stranger On The Prowl", "Tere Liye Meri", "Soniye (Mix N Match Remix)", "Tere Liye Meri (Part 2)" 2006Dhoom 2 "Crazy Kiya Re", "Dil Lagaa Naa", "Touch Me Don't Touch Me Soniya", "My Name Is Alee"AksarAll songsAap Ki KhatirNaksha All songs except one "U n I" and the other part written by Mayur Puri Dil Diya HaiAll songs Tom, Dick, and Harry Adharm Shaadi Se Pehle Adharm Ankaheeco-lyricist Amitabh Verma and Subrat SinhaBanarasAll songsMere Jeevan SaathiHumko Deewana Kar Gaye36 China Town Phir Hera Pheri Family Bhagam Bhag 2007Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to LoveAap Kaa SurroorSaawariya Naqaab Welcome Two songs; co-lyricists Anand Raj Anand, Shabbir Ahmed, Anjaan Sagiri, and Ibrahim AshqBhool BhulaiyaaAll songs except one written by Sayeed QuadriFearAll songs 2008RaceAll songs; co-lyricist Taz, T S. JarnailGumnaam – The MysteryAll songsGolmaal Returns2009Do Knot DisturbDe Dana DanDasavathaaram All songs (Hindi Dubbed version) 2010Shaapit "Chahata Dil Tumko", "Kabhi Na Kabhi", "Tu Hai Meri Zindagi", "Ajnabi Hawaayein Bekraar" 2011F.A.L.T.UAll songs 2012Dabangg 2 "Dagabaaz Re"Khiladi 786 "Balma", "Long Drive"Son of Sardaar "Rani Tu Mein Raja", "Tu Bichdan Kahndi Ai"Housefull 2"Papa Toh Band Bajaye" "Anarkali Disco Chali" "Right Now Now"Rowdy Rathore "Chinta Ta Ta Chita Chita", "Chikni Kamar Pe Teri Mera Dil Fisal Gaya", "Aa Re Pritam Pyare", "Chamak Challo Chel Chabeli", "Chandaniya", "Tera Ishq Bada Teekha"; co-lyricist Faaiz Anwar 2013Krrish 3All songsDhoom 3 "Malang Malang", "Dhoom Machale Dhoom"Himmatwala "Bum Pe Laat", "Dokha Dokha", co-lyricist Indeevar, Mayur Puri 2014Action Jackson "Dhoom Dhaam", "Gangster Baby", "Punjabi Mast", "Chichora Piya"Humshakals "Caller Tune", "Look Into My Eyes"The Xposé "Dard Dilo Ke", "Hai Apna Dil Toh Awaara", "Surroor", "Sheeshe Ka Samundar"Jai Ho "Tere Naina Maar Hi Daalenge"2016Ishq ForeverAll songsTeraa Surroor "Main Woh Chaand", "Bekhudi", "Wafa Ne Bewafai"Sanam Teri Kasam "Sanam Teri Kasam", "Kheech Meri Photo", "Bewajah", "Haal-E-Dil" 2017Irada All songs The Rally2018Marudhar Express"Balma Aise Na Nikhle"2019 Housefull 4 "Ek Chumma" Dabangg 3 Awaara Along with Sajid Khan The BodyMain Janta Hoon, Rom Rom, Rom Rom Version 2, Jhalak Dikhlaja Reloaded (Recreated version of the song of the same titles written by Sameer from Aksar)2020 Sab Kushal MangalAll songs Guns of Banaras Coolie No. 1"Husnn Hai Suhana", "Main Toh Raste Se Ja Raha Tha" (Recreated versions of the songs of the same titles written by Sameer from Coolie No. 1) 2021Hungama 2All songs except for "Chura Ke Dil Mera"2022 Valimai (D) - Hindi All songsBhool Bhulaiyaa 2"Title Song" and "Ami Je Tomar" (Recreated versions of the songs of the same titles written by Sameer from Bhool Bhulaiyaa) 2024Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video"Tumhe Apna Banane"; co-lyrics with Surendra Sathi, Rani MallikNaamAll songs except for "Dum Dum Maaro"2025SikandarAll songs except "Taikhaane Mein" ; "Zohra Jabeen" co-written with Danish Sabri, Mellow DBadass Ravi Kumar"Barsaat", "Laila o Laila", "Aaja Aaja Pardesi", "Medley" Housefull 5 One song - "Housefull 5 Mixtape"; written with Amitabh BhattacharyaBaaghi 4"Yeh Mera Husn", "Marjaana", "Tera Khayal" Andaaz 2 All songs Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat "Bol Kaffara Kya Hoga"2026 "Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai (Title Track)", "Chunnari Chunnari - Let's Go!" "Tu Meri Zindagi Hai"
Albums YearAlbumArtistNotes2002 Tera ChehraAdnan SamiAll songs2004 Kabhi Aisa Lagta HaiLucky Ali 2006 Aap Kaa Surroor Himesh Reshammiya All songs2021 Moods with Melodies Music by Himesh Reshammiya, sung by Various artists Tere Bagairr Himesh Ke Dil Se Music by Himesh Reshammiya, sung by Various artists Dagaa, Agar Tumm Na Hote, Jab Se Tumko Dekha Super Sitaara Music by Himesh Reshammiya, sung by Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik Humnava Humsafar
Awards and nominations