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Actor
Rajkumar Santoshi
Active Hindi Cinema / Bollywood (Director, Screenwriter, Producer)
- FromMadras (Chennai), Tamil Nadu, India
- Based inMumbai, Maharashtra, India
- Age70 years
- Active1982–Present
- Updated
Rajkumar Santoshi – Biography
Rajkumar Santoshi – Full Information
- Full Name: Rajkumar Santoshi
- Popular Name: Rajkumar Santoshi
- Nickname: Raj
- Profession: Film Director, Screenwriter, Producer
- Known For: Directing blockbusters and cult classics such as Ghayal (1990), Damini (1993), Andaz Apna Apna (1994), Ghatak (1996), The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002), and Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani (2009).
- Date of Birth: July 17, 1956
- Age: 70 years (as of 2026)
- Birthplace: Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu, India
- Hometown: Chennai / Mumbai, India
- Nationality: Indian
- Zodiac Sign: Cancer
- Current Residence: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- Profession Category: Director / Screenwriter / Filmmaker
Physical Appearance
- Height: 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) approx.
- Weight: 78 kg (172 lbs) approx.
- Eye Colour: Dark Brown
- Hair Colour: Grey / White
Family Member Name
- Father: P. L. Santoshi (Prominent Filmmaker, Director, Screenwriter, Lyricist)
- Mother: Second wife of P. L. Santoshi (Homemaker)
- Siblings: Younger sisters
- Marital Status: Married
- Spouse: Manila Santoshi
- Children: Ram Kumar Santoshi (Son), Tanisha Santoshi (Daughter)
Education Details
- Schooling: Completed schooling up to Class XI in Mumbai / Chennai
- Higher Education: Discontinued formal studies after Class XI to support family and assist in filmmaking
- Film Apprenticeship: Trained as Assistant Director under filmmaker Govind Nihalani (Ardh Satya, Vijeta, Party, Aghaat)
Career Highlight
| Year | Career Highlight |
| 1982 | Commenced film career as an assistant director with Govind Nihalani on Vijeta and Ardh Satya |
| 1990 | Directorial debut with massive blockbuster action drama Ghayal starring Sunny Deol |
| 1993 | Directed critically acclaimed and commercially successful social legal drama Damini |
| 1994 | Wrote and directed cult classic ensemble comedy Andaz Apna Apna |
| 1995 | Directed romantic drama Barsaat launching Bobby Deol and Twinkle Khanna |
| 1996 | Directed commercially successful action drama Ghatak Lethal |
| 1998 | Directed multi starrer military action feature China Gate |
| 2000 | Directed patriotic action thriller Pukar winning National Film Award honours |
| 2001 | Directed multi narrative feminist social drama Lajja |
| 2002 | Directed historical biographical drama The Legend of Bhagat Singh to immense acclaim |
| 2004 | Directed ensemble cop action thriller blockbuster Khakee |
| 2009 | Directed romantic comedy box office hit Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani |
| 2023 | Directed period drama Gandhi Godse Ek Yudh and comedy Bad Boy |
| 2026 | Directed period partition drama Batwara 1947 |
Awards List
| Year | Award Name | Category | Film | Result |
| 1991 | National Film Awards | Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment | Ghayal | Won |
| 1991 | Filmfare Awards | Best Director | Ghayal | Won |
| 1991 | Filmfare Awards | Best Story | Ghayal | Won |
| 1994 | Filmfare Awards | Best Director | Damini | Won |
| 1994 | Filmfare Awards | Best Film | Damini | Nominated |
| 1995 | Filmfare Awards | Best Director | Andaz Apna Apna | Nominated |
| 1997 | Filmfare Awards | Best Screenplay | Ghatak | Won |
| 1997 | Filmfare Awards | Best Director | Ghatak | Nominated |
| 1999 | Filmfare Awards | Best Dialogue | China Gate | Won |
| 2001 | National Film Awards | Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration | Pukar | Won |
| 2003 | National Film Awards | Best Feature Film in Hindi | The Legend of Bhagat Singh | Won |
| 2003 | Filmfare Awards | Best Film (Critics) | The Legend of Bhagat Singh | Won |
| 2003 | Filmfare Awards | Best Director | The Legend of Bhagat Singh | Nominated |
| 2003 | Filmfare Awards | Best Film | The Legend of Bhagat Singh | Nominated |
| 2005 | Filmfare Awards | Best Director | Khakee | Nominated |
| 2005 | Zee Cine Awards | Best Screenplay | Khakee | Nominated |
| 2005 | Zee Cine Awards | Best Dialogue | Khakee | Nominated |
| 2009 | Stardust Awards | Dream Director | Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani | Nominated |
| 2009 | Producers Guild Film Awards | Best Dialogue | Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani | Nominated |
At a Glance
3
Awards
90
Popularity Score
90
Trending
Moderate
Controversy Index
90%
Profile Complete
About Rajkumar Santoshi
What was Rajkumar Santoshi's directorial debut film?
He made his directorial debut with the 1990 action drama Ghayal, which became a major critical and commercial blockbuster and won multiple Filmfare and National Awards.
Which comedy cult classic did Rajkumar Santoshi direct?
He wrote and directed the 1994 ensemble comedy Andaz Apna Apna, starring Aamir Khan and Salman Khan.
How many National Film Awards has Rajkumar Santoshi won?
He has won 3 National Film Awards: for Ghayal (Best Popular Film), Pukar (Nargis Dutt Award), and The Legend of Bhagat Singh (Best Feature Film in Hindi).
Who was Rajkumar Santoshi's father?
His father was P. L. Santoshi, an acclaimed filmmaker, screenwriter, director, and lyricist in classic Hindi cinema.
Who did Rajkumar Santoshi train under before becoming an independent director?
He worked as an assistant director under acclaimed filmmaker Govind Nihalani on films such as Ardh Satya and Vijeta.
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