Anurag Basu Biography

One of the most accomplished directors of Bollywood, Anurag Basu is a Film, Television, and Ad-Film Director. He is also an actor, screen writer and producer of India. Basu who was already in the list of dynamic directors of Bollywood due to his initial Art work like 'Murder', 'Gangster' and 'Life in a Metro' had top the list with his recent Master Piece 'Barfi'.

Basu took birth in a middle-class Bengali Kayastha family in Bhilai. Basu is married to Tani Basu and has two daughters Ishana and Ahana. His parents were theatre Artist and his father owned a Theatre company 'Abhiyan'. Thus, Anurag grew up in a creative atmosphere. He passed his Higher Secondary Education from BSP Senior Secondary School, Sector IV. Basu spent a few years in Garia, a locality in South Kolkata. He had been offered a seat in the Jabalpur Engineering College, but refrained from joining. He pursued B.Sc in Physics from University of Mumbai but actually intended to pursue a cinematography course at FTII, Pune. However, he was lucky to be opportune to assist in many TV and Film Projects to assist at various levels, during his college days in Mumbai. Thereafter, he struggled through to remain attached to the filmmaking process and was eventually roped in as an assistant director to Raman Kumar in Tara, a television series.

Anurag Basu was in his mid-twenties when he began his Television Career. Though he joined Tara as an assistant director, later took charge of its direction in his own hand. The show went on to become one of the longest running soaps of 1990's. Basu directed approximately 70 episodes of Tara. He directed television serials with different genres, right from thriller Saturday Suspense, Ajeeb Dastan, horror X-Zone, family drama Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki, Kyuki Saans bhi kabhi bahu thi, romantic drama Kasauti Zindagi ki in 2001-2002. Basu's most successful work was 'Koshish... Ek Aasha' (2000). Basu also directed 'Miit' and 'Manzilien Apni Apni' for his home production, which were telecast on Zee TV. In 2000, he was received a RAPA Award for best director for his work in TV industry. He then received Aashirwad Award for Best Director in the year 2002.

Though he started his filmy career in 2002, he remain attached to his basics - Television and in 2007 he produced and directed college drama serial 'Love Story' for Sab TV and in 2010 hosted a Bengali reality show 'Ke Hobe Biggest Fan' for Zee Bangla.

Anurag Began his filmy career in 2003 with the horror film 'Kucch To Hai' starring Tusshar Kapoor, Esha Deol, and newcomer Anita Hassanandani. It was produced by Ekta Kapoor with whom he earlier worked for TV soaps too. Basu left the film in between during production and later Anil V. Kumar took the charge.

Basu collaborated with Vishesh Films and directed his next three projects under its banner. The first was the Mystery Drama 'Saaya' which failed at the Box office. But his next 'Murder' starring Mallika Sherawat, Emraan Hashmi and Ashmit Patel proved a hit in spite of getting an A-certificate for to its adult content. Basu's next was 'Gangster'. It was critically and commercially applauded. Basu united with musician Pritam to compose songs for this movie. His next was 'Life in a Metro' which got rave reviews and showed the ability of the director to handle the subject in a mature way. It had multiple stories based on the people in metro city and each story was found equally interesting and engaging. Anurag next directed the big budgeted 'Kites' (2010), starring Hrithik Roshan, Barbara Mori, and Kangana Ranaut. It performed well overseas and was released in 60 countries.

In 2012, Basu directed his masterpiece, a unique Indian movie 'Barfi!' starring Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Ileana D'Cruz in lead roles. It received largely positive reviews and overwhelming commercial success. It was screened at various International Film Festivals and was selected to be India's official entry for Oscars. It got a Filmfare award for the best film.

In 2004, Anurag Basu was diagnosed with acute leukemia. Doctors predicted that he could live only for two months further. He was shooting 'Tumsa Nahin Dekha - A Love Story' and had to leave in mid-way. Later, Mahesh Bhatt and Mohit Suri finished off the remaining shoot. Basu underwent chemotherapy and was on medication for the next three years. He later received American cancer society's Award for cancer survivor of the year in 2005. Anurag Basu is working on 2-3 scripts and will be directing a biopic on Kishore Kumar next year.