Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan is an Indian director and screenwriter, working primarily in the Hindi film industry. He is best known for his internationally acclaimed film Lahore (2010). He has received several prestigious awards.
Wiki/Biography
Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan was born on Monday, September 8, 1975, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India (48 years; as of 2023). His zodiac sign is Virgo. As a child, Sanjay was an avid reader of comic books, which locked in his interest in storytelling. He was also keen on sports during his school days and enjoyed playing cricket. He was also a Taekwondo champion in college.
appearance
Height (approximately): 5′8″
Hair color: dark brown
Eye color: dark brown
family
Parents and siblings
Not much is known about his parents.
wife
Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan married Kiran Singh Chauhan.
Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan and his wife
Profession
Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan made his directorial debut in 2010 with the Hindi film “Lahore”.
Lahore movie poster
In addition to being a director, he also served as story writer and dialogue writer on the film. The film has been screened at several international film festivals. The film was also screened at the 6th Jagran Film Festival held in Raipur and Meerut. Although the film received international acclaim, it was not released in Pakistan because it was believed to portray Pakistan poorly.
Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan lights up diya at Raipur Jagran Film Festival
In 2021, he worked as a screenwriter in the Hindi biographical sports drama film “83”. In 2023, he served as director and editor in the Hindi film “Bahattar Hoorain”. The film depicts the influence of terrorist leaders who manipulate Muslim youth into engaging in acts of jihad against non-Muslims, luring them with promises of paradise (Jannat) and encouraging them to commit acts of violence and murder.
72 Rain Screen Movie Poster
In 2023, he served as director, script writer and dialogue writer in the Hindi film “Gorkha”. The film stars Akshay Kumar in the lead role.
Gurkha movie poster
dispute
Accused of hurting religious sentiments
In 2023, Mumbai social activist Syed Arif Ali lodged a police complaint against the makers of the Hindi film 72 Hoorain at Goregaon police station in Mumbai. Syad complained to film producer Ashok Pandit and film director Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan, accusing them of hurting religious sentiments and trying to divide the country through films. A complaint was also filed against the film with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), seeking a ban on the film. The individual who filed the complaint claimed that the film contained material that defamed the Muslim community and thereby encouraged discrimination based on religious differences. Furthermore, the complainant expressed dismay at the ongoing trend in the Bollywood industry of religion being exploited solely for financial gain. The complaint highlights that this practice has a negative impact on society, fostering prejudice and a climate of disharmony. The complainant also recognized the importance of upholding the principle of freedom of speech and expression. They stressed the need to prevent abuse of these rights to spread hatred or cause harm to any religious group.
Awards and Honors
national awards
- The film Lahore won the National Film Award for Best Debut Film (2010)
Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan at the 57th National Film Awards held in New Delhi on October 22, 2010, with then President Pratibha Devenger… Pratibha Devisingh Patil’s film “Lahore” won the Indira Gandhi Award for Best Directorial Debut
international awards
- The 42nd World Film Festival, Houston International Film Festival, USA, the film “Lahore” won the Best Film and Special Jury Award (2010)
- International Indian Film Academy Award for Screenwriting – Best Feature Film (Adaptation) Film 83 (2022)
indian international film festival
- ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal Bahatar Hoorain receives Special Mention Award at 50th Goa International Film Festival, India (2019)
Jury members
- Member of the Jury of the 63rd China Film Awards (2016)
- 51st Goa International Film Festival Jury Member Feature Film “India Panorama” (2021)
- Jury Member (Selection) for “75 Creative Thinking of Tomorrow” at the 52nd Goa International Film Festival, India (2021)
Favorites
Facts/Trivia
- Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan likes to read in his free time.
- Sanjay revealed in a social media post that during his struggling days, he used to live in an unheated apartment in Brooklyn. He also revealed that in those days, he even did shows for $50.
- Sanjay revealed in an interview that he never studied filmmaking and learned everything by watching movies in the theater.
- He is passionate about exploring the mysteries of outer space and constantly shares images and information related to space and astronauts.
Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan’s Instagram post about Apollo 11
- Sanjay is an avid dog lover and owns two pet dogs. One of them is named Mi-Hija.
Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan and his pet dog Mi-Hija
- In 2010, Sanjay directed the Hindi film “Dhuaan”. However, it was shelved.
- In 2023, ahead of the release of his Hindi film 72 Hoorain, Sanjay received several death threats on his social media accounts. Not just Sanjay but even his mother received abusive messages and rape threats.
- Apparently, Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan was approached by a production company that produced Gerard Butler-starrer 300 as well as Robert De Films such as “Everybody’s Fine” starring Robert De Niro and Drew Barrymore, a remake of his 2010 Hindi film “Lahore”.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education