Veteran lyricist Sameer Anjaan has opened up about one of the most difficult moments of his early career. During his appearance on Komal Nahta’s Game Changers: The Music Series, the celebrated songwriter recalled an incident when an unnamed music director dismissed his songwriting abilities and even threw his music diary from the third floor.
Sameer said the incident took place before he met music director Usha Khanna. The music director involved was reportedly a good acquaintance of his father, legendary songwriter Anjaan. After listening to around 15–20 of Sameer’s songs, the music director questioned his decision to pursue songwriting.
Music Director Told Sameer He Would Never Become a Songwriter
According to Sameer Anjaan, the music director asked why he was choosing songwriting when he had a good education and a job. He also reportedly reminded Sameer that he was the son of a respected poet and suggested that pursuing songwriting could damage his father’s reputation.
The music director allegedly told him that he could even give him a written assurance that he would never become a successful songwriter. He reportedly advised Sameer to stop wasting his time and return to Banaras.
The encounter became even more upsetting when the music director threw Sameer’s music diary from the third floor.
For a young writer trying to establish himself in the Hindi film industry, the incident was deeply discouraging.
Sameer Questioned His Own Talent
Sameer recalled that while going downstairs to retrieve his diary, several questions went through his mind. He wondered whether there was actually something wrong with his songwriting abilities.
The criticism affected him particularly because it had come from someone who knew his father and had listened carefully to his work for a considerable period.
Sameer explained that the music director had listened to his songs for around 45 minutes to an hour before delivering his harsh assessment. Naturally, the young lyricist began questioning whether he had made the wrong career choice.
However, that moment of self-doubt did not become the end of his journey.
His Father’s Words Gave Him New Motivation
While recalling the incident, Sameer said he remembered a line from his father Anjaan’s work that gave him the strength to continue.
The thought behind those words was that one should not accept defeat before the final decision has been made. Inspired by the message, Sameer picked up his diary and decided to continue pursuing his dream.
Instead of returning to Banaras, he headed straight to Santa Cruz to meet music director Usha Khanna at her residence in Khar Road.
That meeting eventually became an important moment in Sameer’s journey as a lyricist.
Sameer Anjaan’s Journey From Struggle to Success
Sameer Anjaan eventually established himself as one of the most prolific lyricists in Indian cinema. Over the course of his career, he has written thousands of film songs and worked with several generations of music directors, singers and filmmakers.
His career includes songs from numerous successful Hindi films, particularly during the 1990s and 2000s, when Bollywood music was undergoing a major transformation.
Sameer has worked with prominent composers and contributed lyrics to films across different genres. His ability to adapt to changing musical trends helped him remain active in the industry for several decades.
He Has Written Thousands of Film Songs
Sameer Anjaan is known for his exceptionally long career in Hindi film music. Bollywood Hungama has previously reported that he holds a Guinness World Record for writing the highest number of film songs.
The lyricist has spoken several times about the importance of adapting to changing times. According to him, songwriting cannot remain limited to one particular era or style because the language, music and expectations of audiences continue to evolve.
His own career reflects that approach, as he has worked with music directors from different generations and adapted his writing to changing cinematic requirements.
Sameer’s Struggles Were Part of His Larger Journey
The story of his music diary being thrown from a third floor offers a glimpse into the uncertainty Sameer faced before establishing himself in Bollywood.
The unnamed music director’s harsh words could have ended his pursuit of songwriting, but Sameer chose to continue. His decision to pick up the diary and immediately seek another opportunity became symbolic of his determination.
Years later, Sameer’s career stands in sharp contrast to the prediction that he would never become a songwriter. His work across hundreds of films and thousands of songs has made him a recognised name in Hindi film music.
Sameer Continues to Reflect on Bollywood Music
Even after decades in the industry, Sameer Anjaan continues to remain involved with music. In recent conversations, he has spoken about the changing nature of Bollywood songs and the challenges faced by lyricists in the modern film industry.
His latest recollection also highlights the difficult path that many artists can face before finding recognition. For Sameer, rejection and criticism became part of a journey that eventually established him as one of Hindi cinema’s most prolific lyricists.
The diary that was once thrown away in a moment of rejection ultimately became a symbol of his decision to keep going.
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