Anurag Basu’s personality is a fascinating blend of intensity, creativity, and complexity, much like the films he directs. On set, he’s a demanding leader with a strong focus on perfection. His obsession with detail pushes his actors to deliver powerful and nuanced performances. His creative energy is a whirlwind, yet he thrives on spontaneity, often encouraging improvisation and welcoming fresh ideas from his team. This makes for long, intense days, but it’s clear that his passion and unwavering vision fuel the process.

Offscreen, Basu is a storyteller at heart, with a unique ability to weave dark humor and unexpected twists into his scripts. His work often explores the messier aspects of life—relationships, fate, and the shadows we all experience. This willingness to dive into life's complexities, embracing the unusual and unpredictable, is what sets him apart as a filmmaker. He’s not afraid to explore themes that many shy away from.

Yet, beneath the intensity, there’s a quieter side to Basu. He’s deeply reflective and often spends time absorbing the world around him. This contrast between his on-set intensity and his off-screen introspection highlights the fascinating duality of his personality. In many ways, Anurag Basu is a man of contradictions—a perfect mix of the passionate, driven director and the sensitive, introspective storyteller, which is what makes him and his work so captivating.

• Date of Birth is 08 May 1974
• Bhilai, Chhattisgarh
• Father: Subrato Bose - Occupation: an executive at the SAIL Bhilai Steel Plant in Cokeovens
• Mother: Deepshikha Bose - Occupation: an executive in the Education department (Organic Chemistry)
• Siblings: Abhishek Basu
• Spouse: Tani Basu
• Children: Ishana Basu, Ahana Basu
• He attended BSP Senior Secondary School, Sector-IV, in Bhilai, Chhattisgarh (then part of Madhya Pradesh). He later pursued a BSc degree in Physics with honors from the University of Mumbai, initially planning to study cinematography at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune.
• However, during his college years, Basu found himself drawn into the world of filmmaking, taking up various roles in TV and film projects. His passion for cinema led him to work as an assistant director to Raman Kumar on the popular TV show Tara, marking the beginning of his career in the entertainment industry. This early exposure to the world of television and film eventually steered him towards his directorial journey in Bollywood.

Anurag Basu began his television career in 1994 as an assistant director on Tara and was promoted to director after six months, handling 712 episodes. He worked across various genres, directing daily soaps, thrillers like Saturday Suspense and Ajeeb Dastaan, and horror series like X-Zone. His most notable TV project was Koshish ...Ek Aashaa in 2000. Additionally, he created pilot episodes for popular soap operas like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki, and Kasautii Zindagii Ki. 

In 2007, Basu started his production company, Ishana Movies, producing shows like Manzilien Apni Apni and Miit. He returned to TV in 2007 with Love Story and hosted the Bengali reality show Ke Hobe Biggest Fan in 2010. He also created Stories by Rabindranath Tagore, which airs on Netflix and EPIC Channel.

Basu made his film debut as an extra in Dalaal (1993) and directed Kucch To Hai (2003) and Saaya (2003), both of which were commercial failures. His breakthrough came with the erotic thriller Murder (2004), which was a commercial success despite receiving mixed reviews. During the making of Tumsa Nahin Dekha: A Love Story (2004), he was diagnosed with acute leukemia but continued directing from his hospital bed, dictating instructions for the film while undergoing chemotherapy. However, the film turned out to be a commercial failure.

Anurag Basu achieved major success with Gangster: A Love Story (2006), which was praised for its screenplay, performances, and commercial success. His next film, Life in a... Metro (2007), earned critical acclaim and was a surprise hit. Although Kites (2010) received mixed reviews and underperformed Barfi! (2012) became a massive success, praised for its direction, performances, and portrayal of disability. It grossed ₹1.75 billion and became India's entry for the Academy Awards.

After a five-year hiatus, Anurag Basu made his return with Jagga Jasoos (2017), a musical adventure comedy-drama starring Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif. While the film was praised for its innovative style and performances, it was a commercial failure. 

His next project, Ludo (2020), a black comedy crime film for Netflix, received mixed-to-positive reviews, with praise for its direction, cinematography, and performances, earning Basu nominations for Filmfare Awards. He is currently directing Metro... In Dino, the sequel to Life in a... Metro, and is also set to direct Aashiqui 3, starring Kartik Aaryan and Tara Sutaria.

Anurag Basu's filmography includes notable directorial, writing, and producing credits. His films range from Saaya (2003) and Murder (2004) to Barfi! (2012) and Ludo (2020). He has collaborated frequently with artists such as Emraan Hashmi, Kangana Ranaut, Ranbir Kapoor, and Pritam, with whom he has worked across multiple films. Basu has also made a significant mark in television, directing and producing shows like Tara (1996), Koshish... Ek Aashaa (2000), Kyun Ki Saans Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (2000), and Super Dancer (2016–2021), among others. His production house has been involved in many of these projects, with Stories by Rabindranath Tagore (2015) being one of his recent TV productions.

• Filmfare Awards:
  Best Screenplay Life in a... Metro 2008
• IIFA Awards:
  Best Screenplay Life in a... Metro 2008
  Best Director Barfi! 2013
  Best Story Barfi! 2013
• Screen Awards:
  Best Screenplay Barfi! 2013
• Zee Cine Awards:
  Best Director Barfi! 2013
  Best Screenplay Barfi! 2013
  Power Club – Box Office Award Barfi! 2013
• Times of India Film Awards: Best Director Barfi! 2013
• Bollywood Hungama Surfers' Choice Movie Awards:  Best Director (Barfi!) 2013
• Okinawa International Movie Festival: Grand Jury Award (Barfi!) 2013

Promoting Awareness of Social Issues: Through his films, Anurag Basu has raised awareness of a variety of social issues. His work often includes themes such as love, disability, and the complexity of human emotions. For example, Barfi! (2012), which explored the lives of individuals with physical and mental disabilities, helped foster greater empathy and understanding toward people with disabilities.

Breaking Stereotypes in Cinema: Basu is known for tackling unconventional stories and pushing boundaries in terms of narratives. He has been instrumental in breaking stereotypes, such as his portrayal of differently-abled individuals in Barfi! and the complex relationships in Life in a... Metro. His work encourages audiences to think critically about societal norms.

Supporting New Talent: Anurag Basu has provided a platform for several young and upcoming actors, directors, and musicians. His mentorship has helped many rise to fame in the industry. For instance, he launched Kangana Ranaut in Gangster (2006), which was a turning point in her career.

Philanthropy and Charity: Although not widely publicized, Basu has been involved in charitable activities, supporting causes related to mental health, education, and disability. His own experience with a life-threatening illness—being diagnosed with leukemia in the late 2000s—has inspired him to be more vocal about the importance of mental and physical well-being.

Bringing Cultural Diversity to Cinema: Basu’s films often portray diverse cultural backgrounds, helping to shape a more inclusive Bollywood. His work has global appeal and addresses universal human emotions, making significant contributions to India’s cultural narrative.

"For me, cinema is not just a medium to entertain, it is a way of expressing emotions and storytelling in its purest form."

"You don't know when your luck will turn, when your creativity will come out. But you must keep working with the belief that something good will happen."

"When you’re making a film, you need to make it believable. The world we live in is so complicated, and I try to reflect that in my films."

"The time I spent in the hospital, fighting leukemia, was a defining moment in my life. It taught me that life is too short to dwell on things that don’t matter."

"Success or failure doesn't define you; it’s the process of doing something meaningful that matters the most."

"Filmmaking is an art form that brings a lot of joy to the audience, but it’s also a process filled with heartbreak, challenges, and the pursuit of perfection."