Bollywood lost a gem when Neeraj Vora departed, but his comedic blueprint lives on. Hailing from Bhuj, Gujarat (January 22, 1963), influenced by father Pandit Vinayakray’s music, Neeraj’s Santa Cruz childhood sparked a theater passion from age six, with college awards aplenty.
‘Holi’ (1984) was his silver screen start amid icons. TV successes preceded ‘Rangeela’ (1995) fame. Writing hits peaked with ‘Hera Pheri’ (2000), catapulting Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal via impeccable timing. ‘Phir Hera Pheri’ (2006) and ‘Bol Bachchan’ (2012) followed suit, blending wit and warmth.
Directorial efforts included ‘Khiladi 420’; acting credits spanned ‘Baadshah’ to ‘Welcome Back,’ always adding layers. His clean comedy earned universal praise and honors.
A 2016 stroke led to prolonged coma care by friend Firoz Nadiadwala. On December 14, 2017, aged 54, he succumbed. From peers to PM Narendra Modi, condolences highlighted his irreplaceable role. Neeraj’s stories continue to unite and uplift audiences worldwide.