Anand L Rai (Aanand L. Rai) is a film director and producer known for his romantic comedies and dramas. Rai is especially revered for his authentic depiction of small North Indian cities and towns. Some of his most notable works include Tanu Weds Manu (2011), Raanjhanaa (2013), Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015), Zero (2018), and Atrangi Re (2021).
Early Life and Career
Anand L Rai was born 28 June 1971 (or 1970) in Delhi. His family originally carried the surname Raisinghani and migrated from Sindh to Dehradun after Partition. They later settled in Delhi, where he grew up. Details about his parents remain private, but his elder brother, Ravi Rai, influenced his early exposure to entertainment as a television director. This family background laid the foundation for his creative pursuits. Rai completed his schooling in Delhi. He studied computer engineering at a college in Aurangabad, Maharashtra.
Anand L Rai – The Director
Aanand began his career assisting his brother Ravi Rai in television production in Mumbai. He worked on various series, gaining practical experience. In 2005 he directed the TV series Bombay Talking starring Shiv Panditt, Rekha Rao and Nassar Abdulla.
Aanand amde his film directorial debut came with the psychological thriller “Strangers (2007).” The film starring Jimmy Shergill, Kay Kay Menon, Sonali Kulkarni and Nandana Sen was a critical and commercial failure. His next, “Thodi Life Thoda Magic (2008)” starring Jackie Shroff, Parmeet Sethi and Anita Raj also met with the same fate.
In 2011, he directed Tanu Weds Manu, which was Aanand’s breakthrough as a director. The film follows NRI doctor Manu (R. Madhavan), who falls for the spirited Kanpur girl Tanu (Kangana Ranaut). The film’s setting of a small town and its nuances and authentic depiction set it apart. The chemistry between the leads and the superb acting from Jimmy Shergill, Swara Bhaskar and Deepak Dobriyal make the film a must-watch. Critics also praised its fresh take on arranged marriages, cementing its iconic status.
Anand L Rai – The Success
Aanand’s next Raanjhanaa deals with one-sided love, politics and obsession. With the film, Dhanush debuted in Hindi films as Kundan, a lovestruck youth from Varanasi, opposite Sonam Kapoor. The film’s poignant storyline and superb performances make the movie memorable. The film earned Aanand his first Filmfare nomination for Best Director.
In 2015, he directed Tanu Weds Manu Returns, the sequel to Tanu Weds Manu. It was Kangana Ranaut’s dual role as Tanu and Kusum that gave viewers something to cheer for. Madhavan, Jimmy Shergill, Swara Bhaskar, Deepak Dobariyal and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub ably supported Kangana. It became the highest-grossing female-led film in India at the time. Rai received a second Filmfare nomination for Best Director.
Zero (2018) represents Aanand’s ambitious leap with a big-budget cast. Shah Rukh Khan plays Bauua Singh, a dwarf navigating a love triangle with Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif. Despite its commercial stumble, the film’s bold premise and visual effects mark it as a notable experiment.
Other Work
Atrangi Re (2021) blends romance with fantasy. Dhanush and Sara Ali Khan lead as lovers, with Akshay Kumar in a pivotal role. Released on Disney+ Hotstar in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it skipped theaters but gained attention for its non-linear narrative. The film’s music, like the song “Chaka Chak,” became instant hits.
In 2022 he directed Raksha Bandhan, starring Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Pednekar. The film gets mostly negative reviews and with underwhelming boxoffice collections.
Apart from these films, Anand L. Rai also produced many films. His support for smaller films like Nil Battey Sannata (2016), Tumbbad (2018), Meri Nimmo (2018), Good Luck Jerry (2022), and the Marathi film Jhimma 2 (2023) made him a revered figure in the industry.
Anand L Rai also produced Happy Bhag Jayegi (2016), Shubh Mangal Saavdhan (2017), Mukkabaaz (2018), Manmarziyaan (2018), Laal Kaptaan (2019), Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan (2020), and Haseen Dillruba (2021).
Anand L Rai on IMDB
