Born in Sundernagar, he is an engineering graduate
Munish Sood
MANDI:
From the serene hills of Sundernagar in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh to the dazzling world of Bollywood, director Anshul Sharma has crafted a journey that reflects both determination and artistic passion.
Born on April 6, 1981, in Sundernagar, Anshul grew up surrounded by literature and creativity. His father Gangaram Raji is among Himachal Pradesh’s most prolific writers, an author of more than 20 novels and numerous short stories exploring life, love and the spirit of the hills. His mother Tripta Sharma nurtured both her husband’s literary world and her son’s growing fascination with cinema.
Anshul completed his B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from Kurukshetra University. Though deeply drawn to films, he agreed to his parents’ wish to complete his education before pursuing a career in Mumbai. “I told him that education would give him the strength to face life’s challenges,” recalls Raji. “Once he graduated, I myself took him to Mumbai in 2004 and told him — now follow your dream without fear.”
Started as assistant director in television serial
Life in Mumbai began with small but steady steps. Anshul started as an assistant director in the television serial ‘Devi’. His talent and discipline soon got him opportunities to work with reputed names, including producer Kumar Mangat.
The turning point came when he joined acclaimed filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, as assistant director in films like ‘Dev D’ and ‘No Smoking’. “Working with Anurag helped me understand the grammar of cinema,” Anshul Sharma once said. “He taught me how emotions, silence, and realism can speak louder than dialogues.”
Over the years, he worked alongside directors such as Subhash Kapoor and Sunil Darshan, learning diverse storytelling styles that later shaped his own cinematic language.
Directorial break in 2013
Anshul made his directorial debut in 2013 with ‘Saare Jahaan Se Mehnga’, a satire on inflation and middle-class aspirations, starring Sanjay Mishra. The film was appreciated for its grounded storytelling and social relevance, even earning recognition on NDTV for its unique theme.
Around this time, his friendship with filmmaker Luv Ranjan turned into a professional collaboration. When Luv launched Luv Films, Anshul became one of its key creative associates, contributing to a series of youth-centric and family-based hits such as ‘Pyaar Ka Punchnama’, ‘Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety’, ‘Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar’, and the crowd-favourite ‘De De Pyaar De’.
‘De De Pyaar De 2’: A new chapter
Anshul who was then a creative producer for “ De De Pyaar De’, starring Ajay Devgn and Rakul Preet Singh, is now ready with his second venture, the sequel ‘De De Pyaar De 2’ as a Director , which is all set for release on November 14, 2025. Produced by T-Series and Luv Films, the movie features the same star cast in lead roles. The film has been shot in Patiala and London, though production was briefly paused earlier this year when Sharma contracted dengue. The team has since resumed work, and post-production is currently underway.
Industry insiders describe ‘De De Pyaar De 2’ as a “mature yet entertaining take on modern love,” expected to carry forward the charm and wit of its predecessor.
Despite his success in Mumbai, Anshul Sharma remains deeply connected to his Himachali roots. His father takes pride in this bond. “He may live in Mumbai now, but his heart still belongs to these mountains,” says Raji. “You can feel the honesty of the hills in the emotions of his films.”
With ‘De De Pyaar De 2’ ready to release and several projects reportedly in the pipeline, Anshul Sharma’s creative journey continues to evolve. From engineering classrooms to film sets, from the narrow lanes of Sundernagar to global cinema screens, his story is one of perseverance, passion, and purpose.
In an industry that thrives on glamour, Anshul Sharma stands out for his simplicity — a director whose success has the same calm depth as the valleys he comes from.Tagged Anshul grew up surrounded by literature and creativity, determination and artistic passion.
