Raj Kaushal was one of the most promising filmmakers of his era. He was also a writer, lyricist, ad filmmaker, stunt director, biker, as well as a fabulous husband and father. He was known for his films like Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi, Shaadi Ka Laddoo, and Anthony Kaun Hai.
Early Life and Career
Raj Kaushal was born on August 15, 1970, in Mumbai. He completed his early education at St. Anne’s High School, Mumbai. Raj went to University of Mumbai for higher education. After completing his education, he started working as a copywriter. He soon discovered his true calling behind the camera.
Raj started his filmmaking by assisting directors like Mukul S. Anand and Subhash Ghai. He was a stunt director for Rahul Rawail’s Bekhudi (1992). It was the time when he start working in advertisement industry. He became one of the leading ad film makers, with over 400 commercials for leading brands.
In 1999, he made his directorial debut with “Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi,” a musical romantic drama showing the lives of a bunch of young students and how their lives change over time. The film, starring Rinke Khannal, Dino Morea, and Sanjay Suri, was appreciated for its fresh take on love and relationships in the urban setting of Mumbai.
The film is also appreciated for its new-age music and songs like “Woh Pehli Baar” and “Musu Musu Haasi Deu,” which are now considered modern classics.
Raj Kaushal The Filmmaker
His second film was “Shaadi Ka Laddoo (2004),” starring Sanjay Suri, Mandira Bedi, Aashish Chaudhary, and Divya Dutta. The comedy film delved into the complexities of marriage and the humorous side of relationships. It was a light-hearted film that explored the idea of commitment and the societal pressures that come with it.
In 2005, she produced the critically acclaimed “My Brother Nikhil” with Sanjay Suri. Vicky Tejwani and Onir. The film was a massive critical success. Critics espacially praised its handling of the sensitive story of an HIV-positive man.
In 2006, he directed the mystery thriller “Anthony Kaun Hai?” starring Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, and Minisha Lamba. The movie gets acclaim for maintaining suspense and delivering a gripping narrative.
Personal Life
Kaushal married Mandira Bedi, a renowned actress and TV presenter, on February 14, 1999. The couple had a son, Vir. They adopt a daughter, Tara, in 2020.
Raj Kaushal passed away on June 30, 2021, after a cardiac arrest at the age of 50. At the time of his death, he was directing the Amazon Prime series “Akkad Bakkad Rafu Chakkar.”
Raj Kaushal on IMDB
