Screenwriter Sanjay Chouhan, the name behind writing films such as ‘Paan Singh Tomar’ and ‘I Am Kalam’, breathed his last on Thursday. He was suffering from liver cirrhosis. He had also co-written the ‘Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster’ films with filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia.
His friend and filmmaker Avinas Das took to Facebook to share the news. In a tribute post for him, Avinas remembered the 62-year-old writer as a mentor to him and many others in the film industry. Das further talked about the late writer’s sense of humour and expressed sadness at the news of his death.
He also revealed that Chouhan was not well for the last two weeks, and was under treatment at H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre after he suffered from internal bleeding and loss of consciousness.
Reportedly, Chouhan was born and raised in Bhopal, and he is survived by his wife Sarita and daughter Sara. He started off his career as a journalist in Delhi before he relocated to Mumbai and penned the 1990s crime drama ‘Bhanwar’ for Sony television.
Among his honours throughout his career, he had received several awards including a Filmfare Award for Best Story for his subliminal film ‘I Am Kalam’ (2011). His other notable films include ‘Dhoop’ and ‘Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Maara’. He also wrote the dialogues for Sudhir Mishra’s acclaimed 2003 film ‘Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi’.
His funeral took place at Mumbai’s Oshiwara crematorium on Friday at 12.30 p.m.
