In Brief 

Bollywood has seen a surge in comedy releases, with notable films like Hera Pheri, Golmaal, Phir Hera Pheri, Garam Masala, Hungama, Chup Chup Ke, and Bhagam Bhag. Neeraj Vora, a versatile talent, contributed significantly to the comedy landscape in the industry. Born in Gujarat, he attended School and focused on writing, acting, and directing plays. He authored Gujarati plays, such as “Aflatoon,” and participated in TV series “Choti Badi Baatein” and “Circus.” Neeraj collaborated with theatre colleagues on “Baazi,” which also failed. He wrote dialogues for Ram Gopal Varma’s “Rangeela” and performed a scene in “Daud.” Neeraj Bora, a renowned comedy writer, was a key figure in the Malayalam film industry. He received nominations for Best Film and Best Director for “Josh,” prompting Priya Darshan ji to request him to write “Hera Pheri,” inspired by the Hollywood film “See the Man Run.” Despite personal challenges, his films continue to thrive online and have become ingrained in popular culture. Neeraj Rao passed away at the age of 79, leaving the industry struggling to produce successful comedic films.

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The Unsung Hero of Bollywood Comedy Legacy

In recent years, it has become evident that the production of comedy films has significantly declined. Previously, Bollywood was inundated with a plethora of comedy releases such as Hera Pheri, Golmaal, Phir Hera Pheri, Garam Masala, Hungama, Chup Chup Ke, and Bhagam Bhag. However, there has been a noticeable scarcity of such films lately. While titles like Fukrey, Madgaon Express, and the Stree franchise have attempted to sustain the comedy genre, one name consistently emerged during the height of comedy in Bollywood: Neeraj Vora. A versatile talent, his contributions greatly enriched the comedy landscape in the industry. Even today, we find ourselves revisiting the films he wrote or directed.
Neeraj Vora enhanced the humor in movies like Hera Pheri through his adept editing and dubbing, and he also directed Phir Hera Pheri. He penned iconic comedies such as Bhagam Bhag and Golmaal, yet his legacy often goes unrecognized. For those unfamiliar with Neeraj Vora, he was the creative force behind many significant films. A true legend, his story begins with his father, Pandit Vinayak Rai Nanalal Vora, who was born on January 22, 1963, and was instrumental in popularizing the Taar Senai. Pandit Vora was a Taar Senai player who elevated this instrument to prominence as a solo entity in classical music. His wife, Pramila Bora, was a homemaker, and the family had not anticipated that young Neeraj would evolve into a distinguished comedy screenwriter.
Neeraj was born in the ghost city of Gujarat, but due to his father’s artistic pursuits, the family relocated to Santa Cruz, Mumbai, where opportunities in the arts were more abundant. Neeraj spent his formative years there and attended MM Pupp On School, the same institution that educated notable personalities like Phaguni Pathak.

From Classical Roots to Cinematic Dreams

Celebrities such as Tina Munim and Kinjal Bakhi were known to frequent the same places and were reportedly friends of Neeraj ji. However, Neeraj ji’s family had little connection to the film industry. In fact, their household lacked both radio and television, and during that period, television was not widely embraced. There was limited freedom to listen to film music, as the home environment was steeped in classical music. His father, Pandit Vinayak Rai Vora, was involved in theatre, which brought many prominent theatre artists and directors to their home. Young Neeraj interacted with these individuals, which sparked his interest in the performing arts. He began practicing acting by observing himself in the mirror, although he was not permitted to pursue design. 
It is said that Neeraj ji’s mother would secretly take him to the cinema, where he absorbed valuable skills. He gained popularity among his peers at school for his ability to play Bollywood music on the harmonium. By the age of six, he had developed a keen interest in films, a passion that his father nurtured. Discovered at the age of thirteen, Neeraj ji was surprisingly supported in his aspirations rather than opposed. Whether it was fate or coincidence, upon completing his schooling, he enrolled at Mithibai College, where he befriended future celebrities like Aamir Khan, Ashutosh Gowariker, Makran Deshpande, and Deepak Tijori, all of whom shared a similar enthusiasm for theatre and film. As the saying goes, “birds of a feather flock together,” and together, they began to approach several prominent directors, including Ramesh Bahl, Bharato Ghosh, and Ajiz Mirza, in search of opportunities.

 A Playwright’s Path to Film Success

Despite facing limited success, Neeraj remained dedicated to his passion for theatre while his friends attended lectures. He focused on writing, acting, and directing plays for various theatre festivals. Throughout his theatrical journey, he authored numerous Gujarati plays, with his most notable work being “Aflatoon,” which garnered attention from several individuals in the film industry, paving his way into the music realm and ultimately Bollywood.
In 1986, Neeraj and his theatre group were involved in a television series titled “Choti Badi Baatein.” Three years later, he was cast in the series “Circus,” directed by Aziz Mirza and Kundan Shah, which also featured Shahrukh Khan. Additionally, Ashutosh Gowariker collaborated with Neeraj on another play, during which film director Ketan Mehta attended the performance. Following the show, he approached both Neeraj and Ashutosh with an offer for roles in his film “Holi,” released in 1984. This film marked the debut for Neeraj Bora, Ashutosh Gowariker, and Aamir Khan, alongside prominent actors such as Naseeruddin Shah, Dr. Shriram, Laghu, Om Puri, Paresh Rawal, and Amol Gupta.
However, Neeraj and Ashutosh soon realized that their minor roles would not significantly impact their careers, as they risked being typecast in the industry. They understood that such roles would not earn them respect or financial rewards, but rather label them as junior artists. Consequently, they contemplated returning to theatre, but a pivotal event altered the course of their lives. Faced with the challenge of managing film sets without substantial roles, they returned to theatre. It was then that Ashutosh proposed that they write and produce their own films. Deepak Johri expressed his desire to star in their project, prompting Neeraj to take up his pen and write his first film, which Ashutosh directed.

‘Pehla Nasha’ Led to Neeraj Vora’s Breakthrough

Deepak Tijori starred in the film “Pehla Nasha,” which was released in 1993. This film gained significant attention as it featured Shahrukh Khan, Aamir Khan, and Saif Ali Khan together. The soundtrack, composed by Neeraj Vora and his brother Tank Vora, became quite popular. However, the film ultimately underperformed at the box office due to its weak writing, receiving harsh criticism from reviewers. It was later disclosed that “Pehla Nasha” was a remake of the 1984 film “Body Double.” 
Typically, after a film fails, many would abandon their efforts, but Neeraj Vora collaborated with his theatre colleague Navsheel Mehta, along with Ashutosh Gowariker and Santosh Saroj, to write “Baazi.” This film, directed by Ashutosh Gowariker and featuring Aamir Khan in the lead role, also did not succeed. Critics remarked that it attempted to emulate “Die Hard.” 

An interesting event occurred on the set of this action thriller when Ram Gopal Varma visited to meet Aamir Khan regarding a future project. He overheard Neeraj Vora reading a comedic scene and was impressed by his writing style. Consequently, he invited Neeraj to write dialogues for his film “Rangeela.” Ram Gopal Varma often required his writers on set, as he was more familiar with Telugu and his command of Hindi was not as refined. This arrangement allowed for immediate improvisation and facilitated better communication.

During the filming of “Daud,” an unexpected situation arose when an elderly actor, who was supposed to appear in a scene, fell ill and could not make it to the set on the final shooting day. The production was located on Mard Island, and time was of the essence. Ram Gopal Varma then asked Neeraj Vora to step in and perform the scene himself. Neeraj quickly changed his appearance, rehearsed the dialogue, and successfully completed the scene, showcasing his versatility.

It is evident that audiences greatly appreciated this particular scene in the film. Following this, the movie entered post-production, while Neeraj ji was simultaneously portraying the character of Moolchand in “Hum Akele Tum” and penning the screenplay for “Josh,” both of which ultimately achieved commercial success.

Crafting Iconic Characters in Indian Cinema

One morning, at 4:30 AM, Neeraj ji received an unexpected call from Priya Darshan and Anil Kapoor, who invited him to take on a role in their film “Virasat.” At that time, Neeraj ji was engrossed in writing “Mela” and was busy on set, making it challenging for him to accept the offer. However, Aamir Khan and Dharmesh Darshan granted him permission to leave the set for this opportunity. Although Neeraj ji’s role in “Virasat” was not substantial, nor did he contribute to its screenplay, he shared a strong rapport with Priya Darshan. During the filming of “Virasat,” Priya Darshan expressed his intention to collaborate with Neeraj ji on his next project, a promise that would lead to significant developments in the future.

After “Virasat,” Neeraj ji took on various roles, both minor and major, in films such as “Satya,” “Mast,” “Mann,” “Hello Brothers,” “Badshah,” “Pukar,” “Dhadkan,” “Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega,” and “Jung.” These characters possessed a unique charm, and audiences began to admire his expressions, comedic timing, and dialogue delivery, leading to the creation of several iconic roles.

Mishra ji aimed to elevate him to the status of a top singer. Neeraj ji received nominations for Best Film and Best Director for “Josh,” prompting Priya Darshan ji to recall his earlier promise and request Neeraj ji to write his next film. This project was a remake of the Malayalam film “Ramji Rao Speaking,” which was inspired by the Hollywood film “See the Man Run.” Neeraj ji crafted a screenplay that became one of the most humorous films in cinematic history, titled “Hera Pheri.” The film featured memorable characters like Babu Bhaiya and Raju, showcasing Baburao’s distinctive style. It is said that, similar to the original film, “Hera Pheri” had serious undertones, but Neeraj ji infused it with comedic elements and created iconic characters that have since become legendary.

Neeraj Bora Transformed Hera Pheri into a Comedy Classic

Indeed, he crafted numerous lines for the film spontaneously on set. Additionally, the film’s producer mentioned in an interview that the initial tone of the film was quite serious. However, Neeraj Bora managed to lighten it during post-production through dubbing and editing, resulting in a highly comedic final product. I would attribute 101 percent of the success of Hera Pheri to Mr. Neeraj Bora, Akshay Kumar, and Paresh Rawal, as discussed in our video titled “What Happened to Priyadarshan.” It is fair to assert that the film’s serious undertones were transformed into humor thanks to Neeraj Bora’s exceptional writing. 
This film, produced with a budget of 7 crores, grossed 21 crores and has become a legendary piece of cinema, cherished by two generations. Even today, it retains its comedic charm. For this film, Priya Shawl received the award for Best Comic Actor, while Neeraj Bora was honored for Best Screenplay and Best Dialogue Writing, establishing his reputation as a leading comedy writer in the industry.
It is important to note that Hera Pheri was not directed by Priyadarshan due to reported disagreements with Firoz Nadiawala. Initially, Satish Kaushik was slated to direct, but scheduling conflicts led Firoz Nadiawala to appoint his close friend, Neeraj Bora, who had previously contributed to the film’s humor through his writing. Hera Pheri was ultimately produced with a budget of 18 crores and achieved a remarkable box office success of 70 crores, solidifying its status as a cult classic.
Furthermore, there was a unique rapport between Neeraj Bora and Priyadarshan, which later led Neeraj to write dialogues for Priyadarshan’s film Garam Masala, a film that remains popular for its comedic lines. He also penned the dialogues for Hungama, where every line continues to evoke laughter.

 Crafting Memorable Dialogues and Screenplays

He was the writer behind the screenplay of “Hulchul,” including the memorable dialogues such as “Kaun hai be teri amma ne bhoot ki mehndi rachhai thi na wahi bhoot hoon main chup chup.” Additionally, he crafted the screenplay and dialogues for “Bhagam Bhag” and wrote the entire screenplay for “Bhool Bhulaiyaa,” both of which remain iconic films to this day. Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Rohit Shetty was facing challenges in the industry, with his films not performing well. It was during this time that he met Antya ji, who provided him with the script for “Golmaal,” a film that ultimately revitalized Rohit Shetty’s career. “Golmaal” emerged as one of the most humorous films, and Rohit Shetty has credited Neeraj Bora entirely for its success.  

He is an exceptional writer, and I share your sentiments. The understanding of comedy that Neeraj possesses is unparalleled, and the credit for “Golmaal” and its series will always belong to him. Even today, Neeraj Bora’s filmography boasts cult classics such as “Hungama,” “Hulchul,” “Chup Chup Ke,” “Bhool Bhulaiyaa,” and “Golmaal,” among others. He later ventured into directing with “Shortcut,” but since he did not write this film, it did not succeed. He also attempted to create “Run Bhola Run,” but due to internal conflicts, this project failed so miserably that it was ultimately canceled, with Govinda being cited as a contributing factor, a topic we have discussed in our video “What Happened to Govinda.”

 Throughout his career, Neeraj Bora directed five films, with “Hera Pheri” becoming a blockbuster. He appeared in 31 films, primarily in comedic roles, and contributed dialogues, screenplays, and stories for 29 films. Over his 31-year career, Neeraj Bora faced significant personal challenges, including the loss of his wife in 2004, which left him feeling  lonely.

From Laughter to Heartbreak

In this tragedy, he may have discovered humor as a means to mask his grief. Neeraj ji primarily resided with his mother, but eventually, he stepped away from acting and writing. The question arises: why did he make this choice? Following 2010, Neeraj ji participated in several films, including Khatta Meetha, Bin Bulaye Baraati, Bol Bachchan, Fata Poster Nikla Hero, and Welcome Back, yet he diminished his writing efforts. Tragically, in 2014, his mother passed away, which likely contributed to his decision to cease writing.
He also appeared in Kamal Dhamaal Malamaal and Run Bhola Run, the latter of which he directed. There were rumors that Govinda ji slapped Neeraj ji on the set of Run Bhola Run, although both parties later refuted this claim. Firoz Nadiawala had plans to produce Hera Pheri 3, following the public’s demand for a sequel after the 2006 release of Hera Pheri. Neeraj ji was set to direct this project, but in October 2016, he suffered a severe heart attack and a brain stroke. He was rushed to AIIMS Delhi, where doctors expressed grave concerns about his survival.
Firoz Nadiawala, being Neeraj ji’s closest associate, arranged for an emergency air ambulance to transfer him from Delhi to Mumbai. Shortly thereafter, news broke that Neeraj ji had fallen into a coma. His colleagues and friends visited him, but he remained unresponsive. After several months in the hospital, Firoz Nadiawala brought Neeraj ji to his residence in Barkat Vela, converting a room into an ICU. There, doctors and nurses played DVDs of his previous films, reading the dialogues to him in hopes of stimulating his recovery. It was reported that Neeraj ji began to blink, leading many to believe he was on the path to recovery. However, after 13 months in a coma, his condition worsened on a December night in 2017, prompting his admission to a hospital in Mumbai.
He was admitted to the Critical Care Hospital, but tragically, Neeraj Vora passed away at 4:00 am. Firoz Nade Wala made every effort to save him, expressing his deep sorrow by stating that he had lost both a brother and a friend. His passing was mourned by many, including prominent film stars and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While few may recognize the name Neeraj Vora, his contributions to cinema are widely acknowledged. His films continue to thrive online, often celebrated through memes, and his dialogues have become ingrained in popular culture. Each line he penned resonated with audiences, showcasing his remarkable ability to connect through his writing.
It is poignant that the man who brought joy to so many faced personal struggles in his final days. However, thanks to the unwavering support of his true friend Firoz Nade Wala, he was not alone during his last moments. May his soul find eternal peace. In an interview, Firoz Nade Wala shared that Neeraj was a constant presence on set, often delivering the dialogues of characters Raju and Babu Rao himself, which were later brought to life by Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal. Neeraj’s parents allowed him the freedom to explore his passions, never pressuring him to pursue classical music, which led him to carve out a unique path in his career.
The comedy films he created, such as Hera Pheri, Phir Hera Pheri, Hungama, Golmaal, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Garam Masala, Chup Chup Ke, and Bhagam Bhag, remain timeless classics, retaining their freshness even after two decades. This enduring appeal is a testament to his exceptional talent as a writer. Although he acknowledged remaking a South Indian film with Priyadarshan, it was Neeraj’s unique touch that distinguished his work, ensuring these films are recognized for their individuality. He crafted the Golmaal and Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchises in such a way that they became iconic. Indeed, since the day Neeraj set down his pen, the industry has struggled to produce comedy films, as the distinctive “Neeraj factor” has been sorely missed.
Nearly seven years have passed since the passing of Neeraj ji, and his absence is profoundly felt within the industry. This sentiment is evident to all, which may explain the challenges faced by Rohit Shetty and Priyadarshan in producing successful comedic films. As is often stated, crafting comedy is more difficult than creating tragedy. Regardless of the financial resources allocated to a film, the star power involved, or the extent of marketing efforts, if a film fails to yield favorable returns, it risks being forgotten by the audience, who may not regard it with any significance. Esteemed writers such as Salim, Javed, Kader Khan, and Neeraj Ra are among the legends whose contributions are timeless and will forever be celebrated.