Storyteller’s story

Mona

Persistence thy name is Raju Verma...is how we interpret the story of this film writer who is all set to make a record of its kind with 10 of his stories to be turned into films within 2019!

A feat unheard of; it’s not like this simple, humble man struck gold by a stroke of luck. There’s been sheer determination and hard work for 15 years; getting credit for writing Aate Di Chidi has been like a game-changer. While five of his films–Muklawa, Lukan Michi, Laddu Barfi, Challe Mundriyan–are complete, five more-Loud Speaker, Chirri Udd Kaa Udd, Boo Main Dargi, Ni Main Sas Kutni, Kainchi Kapda Te Machine – are locked and in different stages of production. Right from love to action to family drama, his narratives straddle many genres. 

Before we share his failed attempts to be an actor, singer and director, there is an interesting background story. While the Pollywood A-listers right from Neeru Bajwa, Ammy Virk, Sameep Kang, Binnu Dhillon may have picked up his plots, Raju couldn’t finish his school. He was in class seven when, having lost his father, he took the responsibility to provide for the family. But he didn’t stop reading or writing. Married at an early age, he would spend nights under a tube light on a vacant spot in his village Cheema Mandi, Sangrur, to read and write. “I would always hide the copies I wrote on for there was a blanket ban on me pursuing films,” he admits. Fifteen years on, when he got paid in lakhs for Aate Di Chidi, the family now insists he should never stop writing.

His first break came as a writer for Karamjit Anmol as he would pen his acts. “I couldn’t continue school, but I kept following Shiv Kumar Batalvi and Gurdas Maan; they have influence on my life, writings,” shares Raju. Amongst filmmakers, it’s Raj Kumar Hirani that he looks up to.  

That is for influences, Raju is enjoying his current success. With due humbleness, he shares that his dates are booked till March 2020. A thorough writer, he ensures to pen dialogues, screenplay and all the songs of the films that he undertakes. It sure requires some discipline. Morning 3 to 9 is the time that’s dedicated to writing, “I have a bhraa varga dost (brother-like friend) who is my editor and critic. Like clockwork, at 9, it’s his turn to help me better the work.” In the age of laptops and Ipads, he uses pen and paper. 

For inspiration, he watches each release, Hindi and Punjabi to catch the pulse. Lately, he is enjoying English films too, though with honesty he says, “I take someone along to help me understand the language.” In fact, he is working on a project with working title of ‘Donkey’ that he aims to push in Hollywood. 

 “I have 40 more film stories in my kitty – my work of last 15 years.” His favourite amongst them all is yet to be picked up, “Its a father-son story that’s pretty close to my heart.” In fact, it’s for his son Anmol that he enjoys writing. “All of 11, he’s worked in score of films and has taken stand-up acts as far as Canada,” beams Raju, leaving us wondering if his favourite story takes from his life!