Raaj Shaandilyaa is an Indian scriptwriter, story writer, dialogue writer, screenplay writer, producer, director, and actor. He is popular for writing scripts for famous comedy TV shows and directing comedy films including the Dream Girl film series.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Raaj Shaandilyaa (also spelt as Raaj Shaandilya) was born on Monday, 16 September 1985 (age 37 years; as of 2023) in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. His zodiac sign is Virgo.
A childhood photo of Raaj Shaandilyaa with his parents
He completed his schooling at Shri Guru Nanak Khalsa Inter College, Jhansi. [1]Facebook – Raaj Shaandilyaa He was interested in writing short plays and stories during his teenage years; however, his parents wanted him to pursue an engineering career, hence he moved to Delhi in 2003 to study further. While living in Delhi, he started working as a salesman and sold recipe books of noted chef Sanjeev Kapoor. [2]Facebook – Raaj Shaandilyaa
Raaj Shaandilyaa when he was 18 years old
In 2005, he moved to Bhopal and pursued an engineering degree at NRI Group of Institutions, Bhopal where he continued his hobby of writing. While studying in college, he started working as a writer for an anchor at the ETV Madhya Pradesh channel and got Rs 300 for 10 episodes. [3]Facebook – Raaj Shaandilyaa In 2006, he organised a talent hunt competition organised by Dainik Jagran where he met composer Shhailendra Kkumar, and on 6 September 2006, he boarded the Punjab Mail train from Bhopal and came to Mumbai. [4]Facebook – Raaj Shaandilyaa
Raaj Shaandilyaa in 2006, during his early days in Mumbai
In Mumbai, he met singer Ashoo Tewari, and in 2007, he met singer Ganesh Patil. [5]Facebook – Raaj Shaandilyaa [6]Facebook – Raaj Shaandilyaa After struggling for a few months, he came back to Bhopal for his studies; however, he later got work in 2007 as a scriptwriter and came back to Mumbai to pursue a career in the entertainment field. [7]Facebook – Raaj Shaandilyaa
Raaj Shaandilyaa in his 20s
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 10″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family & Caste
He belongs to a middle-class Brahmin family.
Parents & Siblings
His father’s name is Rajender Sharma, and his mother’s name is Sheelu Sharma. He has an elder sister named Chanchal.
Raaj Shaandilyaa with his father, Rajender Sharma (right) and mother, Sheelu Sharma
Raaj Shaandilyaa’s sister, Chanchal
Wife & Children
He got married to Vershaa Kashyap, an interior designer, on 12 December 2019. He has a son named Viraaj Shaandilyaa, who was born on 16 September 2022.
Raaj Shaandilyaa with his wife, Vershaa Kashyap and son, Viraaj Shaandilyaa
Other Relatives
He has a maternal nephew named Aadi.
Raaj Shaandilyaa with his maternal nephew, Aadi
Relationships/Affairs
He had a 13-year relationship with Vershaa Kashyap before marrying her in 2019.
Raaj Shaandilyaa with his girlfriend, Vershaa Kashyap, who later became his wife
Religion/Religious Views
He follows Hinduism and is a devoted follower of Lord Ganesha.
Career
Scriptwriter
In 2007, he worked on a TV show (now known as Bakwaas Band Kar) for the 9X TV channel. He later wrote his first script for the sixth episode of the comedy show Comedy Circus in its first season in 2007 which was broadcasted on Sony TV.
Raaj Shaandilyaa during his early scriptwriting days
He got this position with the role of comedian Vijay Ishwarlal Pawar (better known as V.I.P.). His first script was for VIP and Swapnil Joshi. From 2007 to 2013, he wrote more than 1000 scripts for different comedians including Krushna Abhishek, Sudesh Lehri, and Kapil Sharma. He later worked as a writer in many comedy TV shows including Comedy Nights With Kapil.
Raaj Shaandilyaa with Krushna Abhishek (right) and Sudesh Lehri (left)
Raaj Shaandilyaa with Kapil Sharma (left)
Story, Screenplay, and Dialogue Writer
His first film as a dialogue writer was Welcome Back in 2015. His debut film as a screenplay and story writer was Freaky Ali in 2016. In 2017, he wrote the screenplay and dialogues of Bhoomi, the comeback film of Sanjay Dutt after his release from jail. In 2022, he made his OTT debut as a story writer and producer with the web series, The Great Weddings of Munnes.
Raaj Shaandilyaa with Sanjay Dutt (left) during the shoot of the film Bhoomi
Producer & Director
His debut film as a director was Dream Girl in 2019, featuring Ayushmann Khurrana, which was praised by critics for its storyline; he also wrote the story of the film. In October 2016, he started his own Production house ThinkInk Picturez Ltd. His first film as a producer was Janhit Mein Jaari in 2022, featuring Nushrratt Bharuccha; he also wrote the story and screenplay of the film.
Raaj Shaandilyaa (right) with Nushrrat Bharuccha (centre) during the shoot of the film Janhit Mein Jaari
In 2023, he directed Dream Girl 2; he also wrote the story of the film. In 2023, he announced the names of seven films to be made under his production banner ThinkInk Picturez Ltd.
Films announced by Raaj Shaandilyaa’s production house, ThinkInk Picturez Ltd.
Actor
He made his acting debut in the Television comedy show The Great Indian Family Drama in 2013.
Raaj Shaandilyaa with Satish Kaushik (right) during his acting debut in the TV show, The Great Indian Family Drama
Controversies
Online Feud with Swara Bhaskar
On 7 January 2020, Raaj Shaandilyaa tweeted that people should not pay attention to cheap trick and that Dainik Bhaskar is costlier than Swara Bhaskar. Swara Bhaskar replied to him by tweeting that Raaj should also think about his cheap antics before sending films for promotion or asking her for any roles. Raaj later apologised to her and said that she should think about the country or people before saying anything about anyone. He later said that he would offer her acting roles happily as he does not have any problem with her acting. [8]Hindustan Times
Tweets done by Raaj Shaandilyaa and Swara Bhaskar to each other
Plagiarism allegation
In July 2022, before the release of his film Janhit Mei Jaari, writers Jitendra Gyanchandani and Gautam Prasad Shaw accused Raaj of copying their story for his film. Gautam alleged that he pitched the film to Raaj in June 2020 who announced his film in November 2022. They complained against him at the Screen Writers Association and at Versove Police Station. Raaj responded to these allegations by terming them baseless and said that he had registered the story way before the writer duo in 2017. [9]PTC Punjabi
Awards, Honours, Achievements
- Best Writer Award at the Indian Telly Awards in 2011 and 2012
Raaj Shaandilyaa with Best Writer Award at the Indian Telly Awards
- Honoured by the Lokhandwala Punjabi Association and Punjabi Global Foundation on 13 April 2013
- Record of writing most scripts for Comedy Circus (2007-2013) and name recorded in Limca Book of Records on 22 April 2013
Certificate of Raaj Shaandilyaa’s record mentioned in the Limca Book of Records
- Honoured by Mithibai College in 2014
- Honoured at Jhansi Jan Mahotsav in January 2016
- Samaj Ratna Samman by District Brahmin Association, Palwal
Raaj Shaandilyaa (in black, wearing cap) being awarded Samaj Ratna Samman by District Brahmin Association, Palwal
- Guest of Honour at B.V.N. Sr. Sec. School, Khambi
- Guest of Honour at ET-E-TG on 21 December 2021
- 28th Lions Gold Award for Janhit Mein Jaari in 2022
- Satyajit Ray Icon Cinema Award 2022
- Tycoon Emerging Producer of the Year at Tycoon Global Achiever’s Awards 2023
Raaj Shaandilyaa’s Tycoon Emerging Producer of the Year
Bike Collection
He owns a Honda bike.
Raaj Shaandilyaa riding his Honda bike
Car Collection
He owns a Jaguar F Pace SUV, BMW 530 Sports, and a Mahindra Thar SUV.
Raaj Shaandilyaa’s Jaguar F Pace SUV
Raaj Shaandilyaa’s Mahindra Thar SUV
Raaj Shaandilyaa’s BMW 530 Sports car
Facts/Trivia
- His wife fondly calls him by his nickname Kuku and has tattooed I Love Kuku on her finger. [10]Instagram – Vershaa Kashyap
Raaj Shaandilyaa’s wife’s I Love Kuku tattoo of his nickname Kuku
- In 2002, while studying in 12th standard, he also wrote a few songs for a music album of his friend. [11]Facebook – Raaj Shaandilyaa
- His first cheque as a scriptwriter for Comedy Circus was Rs 23000.
- He is known for posting photos with funny captions on social media. [12]Instagram – Raaj Shaandilyaa [13]Twitter – Raaj Shaandilyaa
आज एक सवाल…
लड़कियों को सपनों का 'राजकुमार' ही क्यों चाहिए…???
सपनों का प्लम्बर, कचरेवाला, केबल वाला, परचूने वाला इत्यादि क्यों नहीं????— Raaj Shaandilyaa (@writerraj) January 30, 2023
- He likes playing cricket and is a very good bowler. In a Facebook post, he posted a photo of himself with the Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh and wrote that if he had not become a writer, he would have been a cricketer.
Raaj Shaandilyaa during a cricket match
Raaj Shaandilyaa with Harbhajan Singh (right)
- He is also a good singer and has won many local singing competitions during his school and college days.
Raaj Shaandilyaa’s singing award which he won during his school days
References
