Raju Verma

   Persistence, your name is Raju Verma ... this is how we interpret the story of this film screenwriter who is ready to make such a record with 10 of his stories that will be made into movies in 2019!

   An unheard of feat; It is not as if this simple and humble man has noticed a stroke of luck. There has been sheer determination and hard work for 15 years; Getting credit for writing Aate Di Chidi has been like a game changer. While five of his films (Muklawa, Lukan Michi, Laddu Barfi, Challe Mundriyan) are complete, five more: Loud Speaker, Chirri Udd Kaa Udd, Boo Main Dargi, Ni Main Sas Kutni, Kainchi Kapda Te Machine, are locked and in different stages of production. From love to action to family drama, his narratives span many genres.

   Before sharing his failed attempts at being an actor, singer, and director, there is an interesting backstory. While the Pollywood A-listers directly from Neeru Bajwa, Ammy Virk, Sameep Kang, Binnu Dhillon may have learned the arguments from him, Raju was unable to finish his school. He was in class seven when, having lost his father, he assumed the responsibility of supporting the family. But he did not stop reading or writing. Married at a young age, he spent nights under a tube light in an empty place in his Cheema Mandi village, Sangrur, to read and write. "I always hid the copies that he wrote in because I had a total prohibition to dedicate myself to films," he admits. Fifteen years later, when he was paid in lakhs for Aate Di Chidi, the family now insists that he must never stop writing.

   His first opportunity was as a writer for Karamjit Anmol, since he would write his acts. “I couldn't continue school, but I followed Shiv Kumar Batalvi and Gurdas Maan; they have an influence on my life, on my writing ”, shares Raju. Among filmmakers, it is Raj Kumar Hirani whom he admires.

   That's because of influences, Raju is enjoying the current success of him. With due humility, he shares that his quotes are booked until March 2020. A meticulous writer, he makes sure to write dialogue, scripts and all the songs for the films he undertakes. He sure does require some discipline. Morning 3-9 is the time he spends writing: “I have a bhraa Varga dost (brother-like friend) who is my editor and critic. Like clockwork, at 9, it's his turn to help me improve work. ”In the era of laptops and iPads, he uses pencil and paper.

   For inspiration, he watches every release, Hindi and Punjabi to get a pulse. Lately, he also enjoys movies in English, although he honestly says: "I am taking someone to help me understand the language." In fact, he is working on a project with the working title of "Donkey" that he intends to promote in Hollywood.

   "I have 40 more movie stories in my kitty, my work from the last 15 years." His favorite among them all has yet to be picked up, "It's a father and son story that is very close to my heart." In fact, it is for his son Anmol that he enjoys writing. "At 11, he's worked on a score of movies and brought stand-up acts all the way to Canada," says Raju, leaving us wondering if his favorite story is part of his life.