Neeraj Vora facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Neeraj Vora
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Vora in July 2012
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| Born | 22 January 1963 |
| Died | 14 December 2017 (aged 54) |
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| Years active | 1984–2017 |
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| Relatives | Uttank Vora (Brother) Chhaya Vora (Sister-in-law) |
Neeraj Vora (born January 22, 1963 – died December 14, 2017) was a talented Indian film director, writer, actor, and music composer from Gujarat. He became well-known in Bollywood for his writing work on Ram Gopal Verma's film Rangeela in 1995.
Neeraj Vora also directed movies like Khiladi 420 (2000) starring Akshay Kumar, and Phir Hera Pheri (2006). He wrote the stories and dialogues for many popular Bollywood comedy films. These include the Hera Pheri movies, Garam Masala (2005), Bhagam Bhag (2006), Golmaal : fun unlimited (2006), and Bhool Bhulaiya (2007). As an actor, he appeared in films like Mann (1999), Hello Brother (1999), Khatta Meetha (2010), and Bol Bachchan (2012).
Sadly, Neeraj Vora suffered a serious health issue in October 2016 and went into a coma. He passed away on December 14, 2017, in Mumbai. Before his illness, he was working on the movie Hera Pheri 3.
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Early Life and Start in Films
Neeraj Vora was born in Bhuj, Gujarat, in 1963, into a Gujarati family. He grew up in Santacruz, a part of Mumbai, Maharashtra. His father, Pandit Vinayak Rai Nanalal Vora, was a famous classical musician. He was known for playing the Tar shehnai, making it a popular solo instrument for classical music.
When Neeraj was a child, his family didn't allow him to watch Bollywood movies or listen to film music. But his mother, Premila Ben, loved films and would secretly take Neeraj to watch them. Neeraj went to the famous Pupils' Own School in Khar, Mumbai. Many well-known people, like Tina Munim, also went to this school.
Neeraj's father taught classical Indian music to many students from the school. But Neeraj would secretly teach them how to play Bollywood songs on the harmonium. This made him very popular among his schoolmates!
Because his father knew many important people in Gujarati drama, Neeraj became interested in theatre. His love for acting and plays started when he was just 6 years old. When his father found out about it at age 13, he supported Neeraj and told him to follow his dreams.
Acting Career
During his college years, Neeraj Vora began acting professionally. He won awards for his drama performances in college. In 1984, he acted in the film Holi, directed by Ketan Mehta. He also appeared in the TV show Choti Badi Baatien and Circus.
He also acted in Rangeela. He was originally the scriptwriter, but he stepped in to play a role when the original actor was not available. After seeing his performance, famous actors like Anil Kapoor and Priyadarshan asked him to work on Virasat. Later, Aamir Khan called him for Mann, and he continued to get many other acting roles.
Theatre Work
Neeraj Vora wrote and directed a very successful Gujarati play called Aflatoon in 1992. This play was later adapted by director Rohit Shetty into the popular Bollywood film Golmaal.
Writing Films
After his TV show Circus in 1993, Neeraj Vora, Ashutosh Gowariker, and Deepak Tijori worked together on the film Pehla Nasha. Neeraj Vora was the writer, and he and his brother Uttank also directed the music for the film.
His writing career really took off after he wrote for Rangeela. He then wrote for many other films, including Akele Hum Akele Tum, Josh, Badshah, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, Awara Paagal Deewana, Deewane Huye Paagal, Ajnabee, Hera Pheri, and Phir Hera Pheri. Critics often praised Neeraj Vora's writing. For example, a film critic once said that Vora's dialogues for Phir Hera Pheri were "outstanding!"
Directing Films
Neeraj Vora first directed the film Khiladi 420. After that, he decided to produce movies and worked on Familywala. He had written Awara Paagal Deewana and Deewane Huye Paagal for producer Firoz Nadiadwala. They then worked together on Phir Hera Pheri. This film was supposed to be directed by someone else, but due to scheduling problems, Neeraj Vora got the chance to direct it himself.
Neeraj Vora was also planned to direct Hera Pheri 3. However, due to some changes with the actors, he was replaced by Ahmed Khan. Neeraj Vora remained as an executive producer for the film. After his passing, it was confirmed that Hera Pheri 3 would be directed by Indra Kumar. Later, Indra Kumar also left the project, and the original director Priyadarshan confirmed he would direct the movie with the original main actors: Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty, and Paresh Rawal.
Passing Away
Neeraj Vora passed away on December 14, 2017, at the age of 54. He had been unwell for a long time. He had been in a coma for 13 months after suffering a serious heart attack and brain stroke. He died around 4 AM at a hospital in Mumbai. Since October 2016, after his illness, Neeraj Vora had been staying at the home of film producer Firoz Nadiadwala. Nadiadwala had made a special room in his house like a hospital room to care for him.
Filmography
Director
- Shortkut: The Con Is On (2009)
- Familywala (2009)
- Phir Hera Pheri (2006)
- Khiladi 420 (2000)
- Run Bhola Run (shelved)
Writer
- Pehla Nasha (1993)
- Baazi (1995)
- Rangeela (1995) (dialogue)
- Baadshah (1999)
- Mela (2000)
- Hera Pheri (2000)
- Josh (2000)
- Khiladi 420 (2000)
- Chori chori chupke chupke (2001) (story)
- Ajnabee (2001)
- Yeh tera ghar Yeh mera ghar (2001)
- Awaara paagal deewana (2002) (dialogue)
- Kehta hai dil baar baar (2002) (dialogue)
- Tujhe meri kasam (2003) (dialogue)
- Hungama (2003) (dialogue)
- Kuch Naa kaho (2003)
- Hulchul (2004)
- Kasak (2005)
- Garam Masala (2005) (dialogue)
- Deewane huye paagal (2005) (dialogue)
- Phir hera pheri (2006)
- Chup chup ke (2006) (dialogue)
- Golmaal : fun unlimited (2006)
- Bhagam Bhag (2007)
- Fool N Final (2007)
- Bhool bhulaiyaa (2007)
- Shortkut : The con is on (2009)
- Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal (2013)
- Run Bhola Run (2019) (shelved)
Actor
- Welcome Back (2015) As Badshah Khan
- Phata Poster Nikhla Hero
- Bol Bachchan (2012) As Maakhan
- Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal (2012)
- Department (2012)
- Tezz (2012)
- Bin Bulaye Baraati(2011) as police commissioner
- Khatta Meetha (2010)
- Na Ghar Ke Na Ghaat Ke (2010)
- Familywala (2009)
- Khushi (2003) As Shimbhu Moshai
- Maine Dil Tujhko Diya (2002) As College Principal
- Tum Se Achcha Kaun Hai (2002)
- Company (2002)
- Yeh Teraa Ghar Yeh Meraa Ghar (2001)
- Dhadkan (2000)
- Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega (2000)
- Jung (2000)
- Pukar (2000)
- Mast (1999)
- Hello Brother (1999) As Sr. Inspector
- Baadshah (1999)
- Mann (1999)
- Satya (1998)
- Daud: Fun on the Run (1997)
- Virasat (1997)
- Akele Hum Akele Tum (1995)
- Rangeela (1995)
- Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman (1992)
- Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro (1989)
- Holi (1984)
