Who Is Varun Grover? From IIT Graduate to acclaimed writer, lyricist & more

Time of India

2 days ago

The well-known Indian screenwriter, lyricist, comedian, and filmmaker, has been in the news recently for his comments on the stark pay gap between actors and writers in Indian television, specifically recalling his experience writing for
Farhan Akhtar
's talk show Oye! It's Friday! in 2009. Here let's take a look at everything you should know about
Varun Grover
.
Born on January 26, 1980, in Sundernagar (Himachal Pradesh), Varun Grover has steadily built a reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in Indian entertainment.
Whether he's penning lyrics that connect emotionally or crafting screenplays with quiet depth, Varun Grover has carved his own path, one that includes stand-up sets that hit as hard with truth as they do with humour. Born to a schoolteacher mother and an army engineer father, Grover moved across towns, Sundernagar, Dehradun, and eventually Lucknow, soaking in different cultures and stories along the way.
Though he graduated as a civil engineer from IIT-BHU in 2003 and briefly worked in software consulting, it wasn't long before the pull of storytelling took over.
By 2004, he had packed up and moved to Mumbai, chasing the words he truly wanted to write.
Varun Grover's Breakthrough and Creative Journey
As reported by IMDB, it was 2005 when Varun Grover first stepped behind the curtain of television comedy, joining The Great Indian Comedy Show as a staff writer.
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On paper, the role looked modest, just another line on a fledgling résumé, but the experience quietly rewired his creative compass. Those writers'-room sessions honed his timing, sharpened his voice, and set the stage for everything he would tackle next, from acclaimed screenplays to razor-edged stand-up sets.
From that writers' room, Grover began carving out a path that would eventually see him become one of Indian entertainment's most distinct voices, someone who could make you laugh, think, and feel, often all at once.
After that he's been part of films including 'Masaan', 'Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar', and 'All India Rank'.
A Voice That's Unafraid to Speak Up
Varun Grover doesn't fit neatly into any one box. Yes, he's a screenwriter and lyricist, but above all, he's a keen observer of the world around him. His songs often carry a quiet intensity, while his stand-up is laced with wit that cuts deep, always rooted in real-life contradictions and ironies.
There's no effort to sugarcoat or play safe. His work feels lived-in, thoughtful, and often deeply personal. What makes Grover stand out is that rare balance, he can stir emotions and spark reflection, without ever losing the lightness or sharpness that makes his voice so compelling.
And in an industry where writers are too often left in the background, he's one of the few who openly calls for fairness and recognition, making sure the people behind the words aren't forgotten.
Speaking Up About the Pay Gap
In a recent interview with The Lallantop, Grover recalled a moment from early in his career that revealed just how wide the pay gap is between actors and writers. While working on the talk show Oye! It's Friday! hosted by Farhan Akhtar, he discovered that the host was reportedly paid ₹45 lakh per episode, while Grover, one of the show's writers, earned ₹45,000. 'It was a shock,' he admitted, acknowledging that even though the figures might not be exact, the disparity was undeniable.
That moment stayed with him, reinforcing the need for a conversation around fair compensation for writers, something he continues to champion today.
While working on Oye! It's Friday!, a high-profile show hosted by Farhan Akhtar, Grover said he learned about the massive gap between what writers and actors are paid. 'I heard the host was earning ₹45 lakh per episode, while I was getting ₹45,000,' he recalled. Though he admits that the numbers might not be exact, the disparity was glaring and hard to ignore.
It's an issue he continues to speak about, bringing attention to the often-overlooked role of writers in entertainment.
While working on the television show Oye! It's Friday! hosted by Farhan Akhtar, Grover realized the vast difference between what actors and writers earn.'I found out the actor was earning ₹45 lakh per episode, while I, as a writer, was being paid just ₹45,000,' he revealed. Though he acknowledged that the figure could have been exaggerated to provoke him, the incident left a lasting impression. It also brought into focus the longstanding debate about fair compensation for creators behind the scenes in Indian entertainment.
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