Sameer Anjaan, popularly known simply as Sameer, is a celebrated Indian Hindi film lyricist and songwriter. Born Shitala Pandey on 24 February 1958 near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, he is the son of renowned lyricist Anjaan (Lalji Pandey). With a career spanning more than four decades, Sameer has written over 4,000 songs for hundreds of films and is recognised by Guinness World Records for his prolific songwriting.
Sameer became one of Bollywood's most successful lyricists during the 1990s, particularly through his collaborations with music directors Nadeem-Shravan, Anu Malik, Anand-Milind, Jatin-Lalit and Himesh Reshammiya. His popular songs include “Nazar Ke Saamne,” “Teri Umeed Tera Intezaar,” “Ghunghat Ki Aad Se,” “Tum Paas Aaye,” “Pehla Nasha,” “Mera Dil Bhi Kitna Pagal Hai,” “Aankhon Se Tune Yeh Kya Keh Diya” and many others.
Sameer was born as Shitala Pandey, with Rajan being another name associated with him, on 24 February 1958 in the Varanasi region of Uttar Pradesh. He is the son of the acclaimed Hindi lyricist Anjaan, whose real name was Lalji Pandey.
He completed a Master of Commerce degree from Banaras Hindu University. After completing his education, he briefly worked as a bank officer with Central Bank of India. However, he soon realised that banking was not his passion and decided to pursue a career in songwriting. He moved to Mumbai in 1980 to establish himself as a lyricist.
Sameer began his professional lyric-writing career in the early 1980s, with Bekhabar (1983) generally cited as his film debut as a lyricist. His first recorded film song was “Maar Ke Kataaree Mar Jaibe” for the Bhojpuri film Bairi Saawan (1984).
His major breakthrough came around 1990, when he contributed lyrics to films such as Dil and Aashiqui. The success of Aashiqui transformed his career, with “Nazar Ke Saamne” earning him his first Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist.
Sameer subsequently became one of the defining lyricists of 1990s Bollywood. He won two more Filmfare Awards for “Teri Umeed Tera Intezaar” from Deewana and “Ghunghat Ki Aad Se” from Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke. He later received a Zee Cine Award for the lyrics of “Tum Paas Aaye” from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.
His extensive filmography includes popular films such as Aashiqui, Saajan, Beta, Raja Babu, Baazigar, Raja Hindustani, Anjaam, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Fiza, Dhadkan, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Devdas, Tere Naam, No Entry, Dhoom 2, Race, Dabangg 2 and many others.
Sameer's writing became particularly associated with romantic Hindi film vocabulary. Words and expressions such as sanam, jigar, jaanam, saajan became recurring elements of the romantic songs he wrote, especially during the musical boom of the 1990s.
His collaborations with Nadeem-Shravan were especially significant. The success of Aashiqui and other romantic soundtracks established him as one of the industry's most sought-after lyricists. He also successfully worked with composers including Anu Malik, Anand-Milind, Jatin-Lalit, Himesh Reshammiya and Pritam.
Sameer has continued to write lyrics well into the 2020s. His recent credits include films and projects such as Main Atal Hoon, Mr. & Mrs. Mahi, Naam, Sikandar and other releases. Filmfare reported in June 2026 that he had written more than 4,000 songs for over 650 films over a career spanning more than three decades.