Ramanuj Sharma (born 15 May 1976), popularly known as Anuj Sharma, is an Indian politician and film, stage and television personality in Chhattisgarhi cinema. He was awarded Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award, by the Government of India in 2014, for his services in the field of arts. He is the first film personality from Chhattisgarh to receive the Padma Shri award.
He is also an MLA from Dharsiwa Assembly constituency representing Bharatiya Janata Party.
Biography
Sharma was born to Teken Lal Sharma and Dehuti Sharma at Bhatapara in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. He did his schooling at Bhatapara and later, secured a master's degree in history from the Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur. He married Smita Sharma and they have two children. They reside at Labhandi, Raipur. Earlier he was a resident of Sant Kabir Nagar, Raipur.
Political career In June 2023, Sharma joined the Bharatiya Janata Party and won the 2023 Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly election from Dharsiwa Assembly constituency defeating Chhaya Verma of the Indian National Congress by a margin of 44,343 votes.
Film career Sharma started acting and singing at the age of ten. After a brief stint as the marketing executive, he made his debut in the 2000 film, Mor Chhaihan Bhuiyan, considered to be the first of the modern era in Chhattisgarhi film history, which was till then at a nascent stage. The first Chhattisgarhi film was made in 1965 and the second one in 1971. The film became a commercial success.
The success of the debut film made him a star and he had eight releases a year and 4 silver jubilee hits, the only lead actor to do so in Chhattisgarhi films. Some of his movies like Maya, Mister Tetkuram and Mahu Diwana Tahu Diwani, were a big success and got him best actor award four times. The prolificacy of his acting career also returned two of his films being released on the same day. Sharma's films have been dubbed into many other languages such as Sambalpuri, Jharkhandi, Bundelkhandi, Gujarati, and Bhojpuri. He has also acted in a number of Bhojpuri films.
He has active presence on stage and television in various parts of central India. He is also associated with UNICEF for the campaigns in Chhattisgarh. He has also performed as radio jockey in the National FM channel and was the first Chhattisgarhi compere. He has compered around 125 television shows so far. He has also made advertisement and promotion films for the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board and for other commercial institutions as well.
A Chhattisgarhi folk singer by practice, Sharma is reported to be at ease singing all styles of Chhattisgarhi folk songs. He has over 100 video albums, has sung over 200 film and folk songs, and has composed music for 10 audio albums. He also owns a music label called "Aaarug Music".
Filmography
All films are in Chhattisgarhi language unless otherwise noted.
+YearTitleRoleNote(s)2000Mor Chhainha BhuinyaKartikdebut filmalso dubbed in Bhojpuri titled Ram Lakhan Jaisan Betwa Hamar in 20042001Maya Dede Maya LeleRakeshMor Sang ChalavSurajAngna2002Mai Ke MaryadaBhojpuri debut film2003Tor Sang Jeena Sangi Tor Sang MarnaJhan Bhulav Ma Bap La2006Hamar Dulahaniya Bade Paise WaliBhojpuri film2007Raghubeer2008Kisan ArjunBhojpuri film2009Mayaaalso dubbed in Bundelkhandi titled Moro Ghar Pariwar in 20102010Bidhi Ke Bidhan2010Bhanwar2010Samiyaar KhelSambalpuri film2010Mor Karam Mor Dharam2010Maya De De Mayaru2010Turi No.12010Mahu Deewana Tahu DeewaniHero No.12011Sajana MorMister Tekuramalso writer and producerAjab Jingi Gajab Jingi2013Mor Man Ke MeetPhulwari2014Jai Maa ShakambariHindi debut film 2015Raja Chhattisgarhiya2016Raja Chhattisgarhiya 22017Rang RasiyaBhola Rasiya2018Prem Ke Bandhna2018Dabang Droga2019Ticket To Chhollywoodhimself2019Rangobati2019Raja Bhaiya Ek Awara2022Mar Dare Maya MaSattu2023Mor Yaar Superstar2025 SuhaagAjay
Discography
All songs are in Chhattisgarhi language unless otherwise noted.
+YearSongAlbumComposerNote(s)2018Maya Hoge ReSorry Love You JaanGhanshyam Mahanand and Pramod ManikpurDuet with Champa Nishad2019Mann Ke Kora KagajSingleHimself2021Raja RaniNageshDuet with Gyanita DwivediMaya Lage RahitheDuet with Alka ChandrakarAarug KalsaSomdatt Panda2022Mate RahibeSaurabh MahtoFul Hasan LageMar Daare Maya MaSunil Soni, Navaldas ManikpuriDuet with Alka Chandrakar ParganihaGheri Beri (Duet Version)SingleDuet with Monika VermaKa Janav KaiseNaveen SahuDuet with Gyanita DwivediNav Din NavratSaurabh MahtoTor Bina SunaMar Daare Maya MaPrabodh Ranjan SahuDuet with Alka ChandrakarMan Ke Kora KagajSinglePrafulla BehraTahin BatanaPrafulla Behra2023A BairiDuet with Kanchan JoshiSawan Sawan Aage
Awards and recognitions Anuj (Ramanuj) Sharma was honoured by the Government of India by awarding him the Padma Shri, in 2014, in recognition of his efforts to the cause of art. Anuj Sharma has also received many other awards such as:
Film awards Category Film Awarded by Year Best Actor Mor Chhainha Bhuinya Chhattisgarh Film Awards 2002 Best Playback Singer Angana Chhattisgarh Film Awards 2002 Best Actor Mor Chhainha Bhuinya Government of Chhattisgarh 2003 Best Actor Jhan Bhulav Maa Baap La Chhattisgarh Film Awards 2005 Best Actor Mahun Diwana Tahun Diwani Chhattisgarh Film Awards 2010 Best Film Mister Tetkuram Grandyara Ranjhanjhar Chhattisgarhi Cine Award 2012 Best Popular Actor Mahun Diwana Tahun Diwani Chhattisgarh Film Awards 2013 Good Actors.
Other awards Chhattisgarh Ratna Samman - Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur - 2013 Pratibha Samman - Chhattisgarh B. S. Central Committee - 2011 Vipra Samman - Sarv Brahman Samaj - 2011 Toy Award - JCI Raipur Metro - 2011 Young Communicator Award - International School of Business and Media - 2010 Young Communicator Award - Symmbiosis Institute of Media and Communication - 2009 Honour - Tamil Nadu Hindi Sahitya Academy
Anuj Sharma was listed by the Times of India among the Kings of the Provinces when they published a special report in connection with the 100 years of Indian Cinema celebrations, placing him among the stalwarts of Indian cinema such as M. G. Ramachandran, N. T. Rama Rao and Mohanlal.
See also
References
External links