Anuj (Ramanuj) Sharma
Ramanuj Sharma is known as Anuj Sharma in Chhattisgarh. He has become a benchmark through Chhattisgarhi films, he has set standards in the field of singing and filmmaking along with acting. He has also taken new initiatives on radio and satellite channels to popularize Chhattisgarhi folk art and has achieved great success. The most popular hero of Chhattisgarhi films and today's superstar, Anuj, a man of many talents, has always been active and a pioneer.
Padma Shri awardee Anuj was born on 15 May 1976 in Bhatapara, where he received his early education and completed his postgraduate degree from Raipur in 1998, during which he also got trained in music and singing. With the formation of Chhattisgarh state in the year 2000, as the hero of the film Mor Chhaihaan Bhuiyaan, Anuj became a symbol of the ideals, character and dreams of the youth in the newly formed state. This film Mor Mor Chhaihaan Bhuiyaan ran for 5 shows continuously for 106 days in Babulal Talkies of Raipur and successfully ran for 27 weeks breaking the records of films like Sholay and Jai Santoshi Man. Also, it created a unique record of running 8 shows in 24 hours in one cinema hall each of Nayapara and Rajim.
Anuj started hosting the regional folk music program Folk Jhamajham on E TV Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh which was very successful. A total of 125 episodes presented by Anuj as an anchor became popular and iconic. He presented the Chhattisgarhi songs program My 36 Degrees on 94.3 My FM and through this medium he became the first Chhattisgarhi RJ. Due to his way of presenting the songs in the program in an interesting and charming manner, this program started touching the heights of popularity from the very beginning.
The superstar of Chhattisgarhi films Anuj has played the lead role in about 30 films so far. Anuj is the hero of all the four most successful silver jubilee films of Chhattisgarhi till date. Along with this, he has also produced, directed and sung in films. Due to his acting skills and versatility, he is a very popular and successful artist of folk-regional films. Instead of considering the film industry as a mere business and entertainment, he has considered it a means of respectful display of culture and traditions and in accordance with this, through his efforts, he has proved helpful in establishing Chhattisgarhi cinema as the identity of Chhattisgarh.
Anuj is also a very popular and famous artist of stage programs. Apart from Chhattisgarh, he has done more than 300 stage shows in Maharashtra, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh, which include Chhattisgarh Rajyotsav, Rajim Kumbh and other prestigious stages organized by the government. The entire outline, direction and organization of the stage show called Anuj Night is done by Anuj. In these programs that go on all night, Anuj also sings along with dancing, acting and directing with more than 50 artists.
Anuj, who has been awarded with Best Actor and Best Playback Singer award four times, was awarded with Best Hero award in the only Chhattisgarhi Film Festival organized by Culture Department of Chhattisgarh Government. During his schooling, he received President's Award 1992 (Scout), All India Best Cadet 1997 (NCC), C Certificate 1998 (NCC Air Wing) and many awards in the field of arts.
Anuj has been awarded Padma Shri by the Hon'ble President of India in 2014 for his contribution in Chhattisgarhi songs, music, culture and language. In Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh has included Anuj among the 9 gems of the state.