Aanand L. Rai
Aanand L. Rai (born 28 June 1971)[1] is a Hindi film director and producer known for romantic-comedy movies Tanu Weds Manu (2011), Raanjhanaa (2013), Tanu Weds Manu: Returns (2015), Zero (2018), Atrangi Re (2021) and Raksha Bandhan (2022).
Aanand L. Rai | |
|---|---|
 Rai at a screening for Tumbbad in 2018 | |
| Born | 28 June 1971 Delhi |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation(s) | Film director, film producer |
| Years active | 2007–present |
Early life and background
Rai was born and brought up in Delhi. After his schooling in Delhi, he did his computer engineering from Aurangabad, Maharashtra.[2]
His family's original surname was Raisinghani, and had shifted to Dehradun from Sindh, after partition of India in 1947.[2]
Career
Rai started his career as an engineer, but soon left it and moved to Mumbai where he started assisting his elder brother television director Ravi Rai in television series. Later he started directing his own shows.[2][3]
Eventually he made his directorial debut with the psychological thriller Strangers, starring Jimmy Shergill, based on the 1951 Hitchcock film Strangers on a Train. This was followed by Thodi Life Thoda Magic (2008) starring Parmeet Sethi. He achieved success with the 2011 romantic hit film Tanu Weds Manu starring Madhavan and Kangana Ranaut.[4] In 2013, he directed Raanjhanaa which featured actor Dhanush in his Bollywood debut, Sonam Kapoor and Abhay Deol.[5] His 2015 movie Tanu Weds Manu: Returns received critical acclaim as well as box office success. His next film was Zero, a romantic drama starring Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif. The story revolves around a dwarf man. The film, though, described as ambitious in nature, received mixed reviews from critics and audiences.
He produces films under his banner Colour Yellow Productions.[6]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Director | Producer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Strangers | Yes | |
| 2008 | Thodi Life Thoda Magic | Yes | |
| 2011 | Tanu Weds Manu | Yes | |
| 2013 | Raanjhanaa | Yes | |
| 2015 | Tanu Weds Manu: Returns | Yes | |
| 2016 | Nil Battey Sannata | Yes | |
| 2016 | Happy Bhag Jayegi | Yes | |
| 2017 | Shubh Mangal Saavdhan | Yes | |
| 2018 | Mukkabaaz | Yes | |
| 2018 | Meri Nimmo | Yes | |
| 2018 | Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi | Yes | |
| 2018 | Manmarziyaan | Yes | |
| 2018 | Tumbbad | Yes | |
| 2018 | Zero | Yes | Yes |
| 2019 | Laal Kaptaan | Yes | |
| 2020 | Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan | Yes | |
| 2021 | Haseen Dillruba | Yes | |
| 2021 | Atrangi Re | Yes | Yes |
| 2022 | Good Luck Jerry | Yes | |
| 2022 | Raksha Bandhan | Yes | Yes |
References
- "Dhanush wishes Anand L Rai happy birthday". twitter.com. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
- Rai, Aanand L (24 June 2013). "I can exploit people emotionally: Aanand L Rai". The Times of India (Interview). Interviewed by Priya Gupta. TNN. Archived from the original on 27 June 2013.
- "Wanted to celebrate pain and love with Raanjhanaa: Anand L Rai". Hindustan Times. 11 June 2013. Archived from the original on 12 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- Komal Nahta (24 February 2011). "Tanu Weds Manu: Profit All The Way". koimoi. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- "Dhanush signs first Hindi film". The Times of India. 24 January 2012. Archived from the original on 24 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- "Akshay Kumar announces new film Raksha Bandhan, dedicates it to sister Alka: 'Quickest I've signed a film in my career'". Hindustan Times. 3 August 2020. Retrieved 3 August 2020.