Varun Grover

Varun Grover (born January 26, 1980) is a multifaceted Indian artist known for his work as a lyricist, screenwriter, stand-up comedian, poet, and filmmaker. His creative endeavors often blend sharp social commentary with humor and emotional depth, making him a prominent voice in contemporary Indian arts and culture.

Early Life & Education

Born in Sundernagar, Himachal Pradesh, Grover hails from a Punjabi Hindu family. His mother was a schoolteacher, and his father served as an army engineer. During his childhood, he lived in Dehradun and Sundernagar before moving to Lucknow during his adolescence. He pursued civil engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi, graduating in 2003.

Career Highlights

Screenwriting & Lyricism

Grover began his career as a dialogue writer with "Accident on Hill Road" (2009). He gained widespread recognition for his lyrics in Anurag Kashyap’s "Gangs of Wasseypur" (2012). His song "Moh Moh Ke Dhaage" from "Dum Laga Ke Haisha" (2015) earned him the National Film Award for Best Lyrics in 2016.

His notable writing credits include:

• Masaan (2015) – Co-writer and lyricist

• Udta Punjab (2016) – Lyricist

• Newton (2017) – Lyricist

• Sui Dhaaga (2018) – Lyricist

• Sonchiriya (2019) – Lyricist

• Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar (2021) – Screenwriter

Stand-Up Comedy & Satire

Grover is also a celebrated stand-up comedian. He co-founded the political satire group "Aisi Taisi Democracy" in 2014, alongside Sanjay Rajoura and Rahul Ram. The group combines humor, music, and commentary to critique socio-political issues in India.

In 2025, he toured internationally with his stand-up special "Nothing Makes Sense," addressing topics like Hindutva revisionism and the contradictions of contemporary India.

Filmmaking

Grover made his directorial debut with the short film "KISS" (2022), which won multiple awards, including Best Writing at the Critics Choice Awards.

His feature film directorial debut, "All India Rank" (2023), is a coming-of-age comedy-drama that premiered as the closing film at the 52nd International Film Festival Rotterdam.

In 2024, he wrote "Superboys of Malegaon," a film inspired by the 2008 documentary "Supermen of Malegaon." The movie premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was released theatrically in February 2025.

Literary Contributions

Grover has authored two books:

• Paper Chor – A short story collection

• Biksu – A graphic novel

Both works showcase his ability to intertwine personal narratives with broader societal themes.

Awards & Recognition

Grover's accolades include:

• National Film Award for Best Lyrics – "Moh Moh Ke Dhaage" (2016)

• Zee Cine Award for Best Lyricist – "Moh Moh Ke Dhaage" (2016)

• IIFA Award for Best Lyricist – "Moh Moh Ke Dhaage" (2016)

• Guild Award for Best Lyrics – "Moh Moh Ke Dhaage" (2016)

Personal Life

A self-proclaimed cat lover, Grover is known for his wit, creativity, and commitment to addressing pressing societal issues through his art