Remembering Neeraj Vora (1963 – 2017)

Neeraj Vora, Writer, Director, Composer and Actor, Passes Away At 54

Neeraj Vora

Bollywood actor, writer and filmmaker Neeraj Vora breathed his last at Mumbai’s Criti Care hospital in the early hours of Thursday, 14^th December, 2017. He was 54.

According to reports, Vora was in a coma since the past 13 months after having suffered a brain stroke in 2016. Neeraj’s wife died a few years ago, and he had no children. So, following his comatose state in October 2016, Vora was residing at the home of producer Firoz Nadiadwala, his room converted into a fully functional ICU.

Filmmaker Ashok Pandit confirmed the news stating, “Neeraj Vora died today at 3 am in Criti Care hospital in Juhu. He had been in coma and was living at Firoz Nadiadwala’s place. When his condition deteriorated in the night, he was taken to the hospital, where he breathed his last.”

Neeraj Vora – His Impact On Bollywood

Neeraj Vora

Starting his career in the mid-80s, Neeraj Vora made his debut in Bollywood with Holi by Ketan Mehta, which featured Aamir Khan, Ashutosh Gowariker, Om Puri, Shreeram Lagoo, Deepti Naval and Naseeruddin Shah. He later did a television show Choti Badi Baatien, and Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Circus. But, he got his recognition when he appeared in Rangeela, for which he had also written the script. After seeing that scene, Anil Kapoor and Priyadarshan called him for Virasat followed by Aamir for Mann and several other projects.

Vora starred in a lot of movies – Mann, Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega, Virasat, Rangeela, Bol Bachchan, Khatta Meetha, Company, Jung, Hello Brother, Badshaah, Satya etc. He was a gifted storyteller as well, writing the script for films such as Daud and Hera Pheri.

His career in writing took off after he wrote for Rangeela and then Akele Hum Akele Tum, Josh, Badshah, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, Awara Paagal Deewana, Deewane Huye Paagal, Ajnabee and Hera Pheri, Phir Hera Pheri among many others. Few people know that Vora’s 1992 Gujarati play Aflatoon, which was a superhit, was later adopted by Rohit Shetty for Golmaal.

Neeraj Vora also tried his hand at directing with movies like Khiladi 420, Phir Hera Pheri, Familywala, Shortkut: The Con Is On, Hera Pheri 3 etc. He was slated to direct Hera Pheri 3, but ultimately was replaced by Ahmed Khan following the departure of actors John Abraham, Abhishek Bachchan and Sunil Shetty due to conflicts with Vora. Vora was retained as the film’s executive producer, but following his stroke in October 2016, the film’s future seems highly unlikely.

Bollywood Bidding Farewell To Neeraj Vora

Neeraj Vora

Many Bollywood celebrities took to social media to say their farewells. Even the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, took to Twitter to express his grief over the sad demise of Neeraj Vora.

Saddened by the demise of Neeraj Vora. An energetic and creative personality, he will be remembered for his films and warm nature. My thoughts are with his family and admirers in this sad hour.
–Narendra Modi

One of the main reasons behind my foray into comedy, saddened to hear about the demise of Neeraj Vora a multi-talented man, writer, director, actor… A mini industry by himself, learnt so much from him. RIP
–Akshay Kumar

Neeraj Vora – The writer n director of ‘Phir Hera Pheri’ n many hit films is no more …Aum Shanti.
Paresh Rawal

Shocked & saddened to hear of the demise of #Neerajvora ji! Had cast me for Golmaal 1 & directed me in the unreleased Run Bhola Run! RIP sir
–Tusshar Kapoor

#NeerajVora always smiling. Always jovial. Always made the world smile. RIP Neerajji.
–Kunal Kohli