My first memory of anything related to Anubhav Sinha was “Tum Bin.” It was the go-to movie for teenagers like me in the early 2000s. People my age will agree that the movie was a shift from normal. We had not seen anything that beautiful until then. The film was a manifestation of all our teenage dreams. We all identified with “Priyanshu,” believing that, like in the movie, we would ultimately find our “Sandali.”
It almost makes us believe that no matter how difficult the situation is, it will ultimately end happily. And it was Anubhav who was responsible for fostering that belief. This brilliant but sadistic and cruel storyteller went on to make many realistic and close-to-life films, but none were able to break our hearts like Tum Bin does.
Early Life
Anubhav Sinha was born on June 22, 1965, in Allahabad, into the family of Prem Govind Sinha and Sushila Sinha. He gets his early education in Kalagarh, Garhwal, before going to Government Inter College, Allahabad, and Queen’s College, Varanasi. Sinha’s academic journey took him to Aligarh Muslim University, where he graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering.
This is the same city where I watched “Tum Bin” in a theater named “Meenakshi” and later at “Tasweermahal.” I believe the tiny Tasweermahal also plays a huge part in Anubhav Sinha’s journey. Probably it was here that Anubhav got the film bug, which resulted in his dream of becoming a filmmaker.
After a stint in New Delhi as a theatre artist, he moved to Mumbai in 1990, marking the beginning of his foray into the world of television and film. He worked as an assistant to celebrated director Pankaj Parashar. At the time of the cable TV boom, he started working for TV and made shows like “Shikast,” and “Sea Hawks.” He then turned his focus to directing music videos.
The Fresh Start
His directorial debut, ‘Tum Bin,’ released in 2001, was a sleeper hit that resonated with audiences for its heartfelt story and soulful music. Over time, Tum Bin established itself as a cult musical. The film was revolutionary in many ways, especially for starting the trend of “good-looking” movies. Tum Bin was an extension of Anubhav Sinha’s extension of music video aesthetics, which included carefully chosen locations, vibrant colours, and a dreamy ambiance.
Following this, he directed “Dus (2005)” which was totally different in subject. Dus was an interesting film; although it has some obvious shortcomings, the world-building and characterization were on point. especially the character played by Pankaj Kapoor, reminds me of “Ibne Safi’s” characters, the highest compliment in my books.
Sinha the went on to direct films like Aapko Pehle Bhi Kahin Dekha Hai (2003), Tathastu (2006), Cash (2007), a mixed bag in terms of success, both critical and commercial
The Missing Plot
In 2011, he directed the superhero flick “Ra.One,” starring Shahrukh Khan and Kareena Kapoor. In “Ra.One,” there was a lot was on stake; it was a huge project, and lots of parties were involved. Somehow the things did not fit perfectly, but despite all this, the effort should be viewed with a bit of empathy, at least for trying something different and almost delivering it.
Sinha came up with the spritual sequal of Tum Bin named Tum Bin 2 in 2016. Since the day I saw the trailer for it, I have been figuring out the motive behind making this film. A quest, in which I failed miserably. Maybe someday, Sinha will shine a light on it himself. In 2014, he produced “Gulab Gang,” directed by Soumik Sen, and “Zid,” a forgettable little film directed by Vivek Agnihotri.
Anubhav Sinha Find His Mark
Anubhav Sinha was making good films and was fairly successful without a doubt, but with 2018’s “Mulk,” Sinha began to explore more serious and contentious themes. He started a new phase of his film career, which is more artistic, more responsible, and more heartfelt. His cinema has evolved with time, which makes his films more socially relevant and more humane. Mulk (2018) satrring Rishi Kapoor, addresses communal bias and the struggles of a Muslim family accused of treason in India. In an interview, Sinha mentioned that his stories emerge from what affects him in the environment around him. He is driven by the happenings in society and the urge to tell stories that stem from there.
Following ‘Mulk’, Sinha directed “Article 15 (2019),” a film based on Article 15 of the Indian Constitution, which prohibits discrimination on various grounds. The film, starring Ayushmann Khurrana, was lauded for its unflinching portrayal of caste-based discrimination and received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike.
Thappad (2020), another landmark film by Sinha, starred Taapsee Pannu and dealt with the issue of domestic violence. The film’s nuanced approach to its subject matter and strong performances made it a critical success, though it had a modest performance at the box office.
Anek (2002) is the story of a police official sent as a secret agent to Northeast India to bring about a peace deal. The film was lauded for its casting and its effort to understand the Northeastern people and their problems.
Other Work
Most recently, Bheed (2023) added to Sinha’s repertoire of socially conscious cinema. The film, set against the backdrop of the COVID-19 lockdown in India, tells the harrowing tale of migrant workers. Shot in black and white, ‘Bheed’ serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the most vulnerable sections of society during the pandemic.
“Mulk,” “Article 15,” “Thappad,” and “Bheed” are not just films but reflections of society, prompting viewers to think about pressing issues such as communal bias, caste discrimination, and domestic violence. These films have been lauded for their unflinching portrayal of reality and have sparked conversations on topics often brushed under the carpet.
Sinha’s production house, Benaras Mediaworks, produced “Afwah (2023),” a thriller starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Bhumi Pednekar, which is directed by Sudhir Mishra. It also produced Hansal Mehta’s “Faraaz” and Ratnaa Sinha’s “Middle Class Love.” In 2024 he directed IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, a Netflix series based on the the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814 in 1999. The film starred Vijay Varma, Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Dia Mirza, and Arvind Swamy.
Personal Life
Anubhav Sinha is married to Ratnaa Sinha, a director who debuted with the film Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana (2017). They have a son, Shlok Sinha.
Although Anubhav Sinha has made some of the most important films of the last decade, as a cinema lover, we have more expectations of him.
Anubhav Sinha on IMDB
