Anjaan was a notable Indian film lyricist whose works in the Hindi film industry are cherished till date. His official name was Lalji Pandey but he was more popular with his pen name Anjaan. Some of his most distinguished work in the Hindi flicks includes songs like "Rote Hue Aate Hain Sab" from Muqaddar Ka Sikandar and "Khaike Paan Banaraswala" from Don. Anjaan was born in Varanasi and many of his lyrics reflected the ethos and culture of Uttar Pradesh and shades of Bhojpuri language.

Career of Anjaan
Anjaan began his career as a lyricist in the Hindi film industry with the 1953 flick Prisoner of Golconda for which he authored the songs "Shaheedon Amar Hai Tumhari Kahani" and "Lehar Yeh Dole Koyal Bole". Following this, assignments started pouring in but for small films. During initial days, "Mat Poonch Mera Hai Mera Kaun Watan" from Lambe Haath remained his only popular number for which the music was composed by G. S. Kohli. Anjaan gained recognition in the industry with the Raaj Kumar film Godaan in which the music was composed by Ravi Shankar. This flick paved his way for a few good projects in the mid - 60"s during which he worked with acclaimed composers like O. P. Nayyar. Commercial fame came his way with G. P. Sippy"s Bandhan that featured his song "Bina Badraa Ke Bijuriya Kaise Barse". Anjaan also penned a number of non - film albums for which the music was composed by Shyam Saga. The songs were sung by Suman Kalyanpur, Manna Dey and Mohammed Rafi. The song "Main Kab Gaata" voiced by Rafi was huge hit.

Anjaan penned the lyrics for many enchanting renditions in films like Kab? Kyon? Aur Kahan?, Ek Nari Ek Brahmachari, Rivaaj, Umang etc working with music directors such as R. D. Burman, Kalyanji - Anandji and many others. A"ap Ki Inaayat Aap Ke Karam", "Suraj Se Jo Kiran Ka Naata" and "Wah Ri Kismat" are some of his popular songs. After the passage of a few more years Anjaan successfully established himself as a prolific writer who finely blended many of the commercial songs with lyricism and poetry. He shone in the films of Amitabh Bachchan collaborating with Kalyanji Anandji and this phase began with Do Anjaane in the year 1976. Songs like "Dil To Hai Dil" and "O Saathi Re" from Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, "Khaike Paan Banaras Wala" from Don, "Jiska Mujhe Tha Intezaar" and "Ee Hai Bambai Nagariya" from Lawaaris are some of his hit songs. Don in fact marked to be the biggest success of his career. Anjaan also ventured into Bhojpuri films and in the late 70"s marked a big hit with Balam Pardesia.

Later Career of Anjaan
Anjaan emerged as the writer of choice in the 80s for the flicks of Mithun Chakraborty including Dance Dance and Disco Dancer which also brought success to the music composer Bappi Lahiri. Songs of movies like Tarzan, Paap Ki Duniya, Aag Hi Aag, Ilzaam and Aandhi Toofan also marked to be great hits. Anjaan"s collaboration with other music directors exhibited stark contrast. His works with R. D. Burman, Anu Malik, Laxmikant-Pyarelal also received widespread applauses. In the early 90s he suffered major setback in health, but still managed to deliver hits in films like Ghayal, Dalaal, Zindagi Ek Juaa etc.

Death of Anjaan
Anjaan died on 13th September 1997. His only book of poems titled Ganga Tath Ka Banjara (A Gypsy from the Shores of the Ganges) was released by Amitabh Bachchan just a few months before his death. His son Sameer is also a successful Hindi film lyricist.

Popular Songs of Anjaan