Aditya Dhar
Dhar in 2019
Born 12 March 1983 (1983-03-12) (age 43)
New Delhi, India.
Alma mater Delhi University
Occupations
  • Film director
  • screenwriter
  • film producer
  • lyricist
Years active 2006–present
Notable work Uri: The Surgical Strike, Dhurandhar
Spouse
Yami Gautam
​
(m.  2021)​
Children 1

Aditya Dhar (born 12 March 1983) is an Indian filmmaker, screenwriter, producer and lyricist who works in Hindi cinema. He made his directorial debut with 2019 war film Uri: The Surgical Strike, which became the fourth highest grossing Indian film of the year. Dhar also earned the National Film Award for Best Direction.[1] In 2025, his second directorial spy action-thriller Dhurandhar was released with acclaim and became the highest-grossing Hindi film in India, fourth highest-grossing Indian film and the highest grossing A-rated Indian film of all time.[2][3]

Early and personal life

Dhar was born on 12 March 1983 in New Delhi into a Kashmiri Pandit family.[4][5] His mother, Sunita Dhar, was a former dean at Delhi University, where he also graduated before spending nearly two decades in music theatre, which helped shape his screenwriting career.[6][7] His elder brother, Lokesh Dhar, has served as a leading studio executive at UTV Motion Pictures and later Fox Star Studios. In 2021, he and Lokesh co-founded the production company B62 Studios.[8]

On 4 June 2021, Dhar married Indian actress Yami Gautam in a traditional Hindu ceremony in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh.[9][10][11] Their first child, Vedavid, was born on 10 May 2024.[12][13]

Career

2006—2018: Early career

In 2006, Dhar moved to Mumbai and began his career as an assistant director. He contributed lyrics for songs composed by Raghav Sachar in the film Kabul Express, director by Kabir Khan;[14] along with Haal-e-Dil and Daddy Cool.[15] He also contributed dialogues to director Priyadarshan's films Aakrosh and Tezz.[16]

2019 onwards: Directorial breakthrough and recognition

Dhar receiving the Best Director Award for Uri: The Surgical Strike at 66th National Film Awards

In 2019, Dhar made his directorial debut with Uri: The Surgical Strike, a war action film starring Vicky Kaushal, Yami Gautam and Paresh Rawal; was produced by Ronnie Screwvala under RSVP Movies banner and filmed in Serbia.[17] It was based on real-life retaliation operations following the 2016 Uri attack and received widespread acclaim for direction, cinematography, superbly executed single shot combat scenes and for thrilling and gripping narrative style.[18][19][20] The film became a commercial success, grossing over ₹3.5 billion (US$41 million) worldwide, becoming tenth highest-grossing Indian film domestically.[21][22] For this film, he received the National Film Award for Best Director and the Filmfare Award for Best Debut Director. The slogan "How's the Josh" used in the film became cultural phenomenon, the dialogue went viral over Indian social media.[23][24][25] This question is asked to the cadets in military academies in India to test their enthusiasm. The dialogue was quoted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while inaugurating the National Museum of Indian Cinema of Films Division of India also used the slogan.[26][27][28]

Dhar was scheduled to collaborate with Vicky Kaushal again for the mythological superhero film The Immortal Ashwatthama.[29] In 2021, the film was planned as a trilogy and was expected to begin filming;[30] however, it was shelved due to the COVID-19 pandemic and budgetary constraints.[31][32] Dhar subsequently produced the films under his B62 Studios banner which includes the critically acclaimed political film Article 370 (2024) and the horror thriller Baramulla (2025); in which he also served a co-writer of the films.[33]

On 5 December 2025, Dhar’s second directorial, Dhurandhar, a spy thriller, was released, featuring Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt and Arjun Rampal, produced by his B62 Studios and Jio Studios.[34] His filmmaking was well received, critics praising the ensemble cast performance, direction, cinematography, action sequences, soundtrack, world building and production values, while criticism was directed for mixing fact and fiction.[35] Nevertheless, the film emerged as a major commercial success, becoming the 4th Hindi film to cross ₹1,000 crore worldwide.[36] Dhurandhar grossed over ₹1340 crore worldwide and ranks 4th highest grossing Indian films of all time[37], 2nd highest grossing Hindi film, the highest grossing Hindi films in India and the highest grossing Adult-certified Indian film.[38] On 7 January 2026, the film surpassed Pushpa 2: The Rule and became the highest grossing film in Hindi domestic net collections.[39] Thus, it became the highest grosser in Hindi language alone and also the most successful Bollywood film post-COVID.[40] Originally conceived as a single film, he later opted for a two-part release because of film's length;[41] with the sequel, subtitled The Revenge, that was released on 19 March 2026.[42][43]

Filmmaking and reception

Dhar at 65th Filmfare Awards in 2020

Observers have noted Dhar's cinematic techniques and storytelling ambition, noting that his film’s scale, set design, realistic action sequences and structural narrative style in chapters often leads the film.[44] His films embody restrained patriotism, celebrates national pride without making jingoistic.[45] Dhar's directorial debut, Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019) received acclaim for realistic war sequences and emotional quotients.[46] The Guardian reported that the film was described as “patriotic by some and propaganda by others".[47] Dhar has rejected propagandic criticism in interviews, arguing that such labels often reflect critics preconceptions more than the film itself, and audiences are intelligent enough to distinguish genuine storytelling from overt propaganda.[48] He has said repeatedly that he doesn’t pay attention to ideologically framed criticism, he added that Uri was conceived as an army film with operational reality, dedicated to the Indian Army.[49][50]

During the promotions of Article 370 (2024), Dhar said, "Cinema should be built on well-researched narratives with a clear artistic purpose, regardless of the noise around political interpretation".[51] His second directorial, an spy thriller Dhurandhar (2025) received mixed to positive response from the critics. It garnered widespread acclaim for the technical aspects, narratives style, use of music and performances of ensemble cast, and criticism for mixing facts and fiction, while some commentators called it politically propagandic.[52] While several other commentators and industry figures such as Ram Gopal Varma and Sandeep Reddy Vanga have praised Dhar's ability to craft high-voltage sequences and layered character portrayals that feel both immersive and emotionally charged, suggesting that Dhar combines a commercial sensibility with to detail and thematic coherence.[53][54] Anurag Kashyap defended Dhurandhar and called it well made spy thriller,[55] comparing it to international spy thrillers such as Zero Dark Thirty.[56]

Filmography

Key
† Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released

Film credits

Year Title Director Writer Producer Notes Ref.
2009 Boond Yes Yes No Short film
2010 Aakrosh No Dialogues No [57]
2012 Tezz No Dialogues No [58]
2019 Uri: The Surgical Strike Yes Yes No Directorial debut [59]
2024 Article 370 No Yes Yes [60]
2025 Dhoom Dhaam No Yes Yes Released on Netflix [61]
Baramulla No Yes Yes [62]
Dhurandhar Yes Yes Yes [63]
2026 Dhurandhar: The Revenge Yes Yes Yes [64]

Discography

As lyricist

Year Film Title Ref.
2006 Kabul Express "Kabul Fiza" [65]
"Banjar"
"Keh Raha Mera Dil"
"Yeh Main Aaya Kahaan Hoon"
2007 Play it Loud
(Album)		 All songs
2008 Haal-e-Dil "Rang" [66]
"Khwahish"
2009 Daddy Cool All songs [67]
2011 Phhir 4 songs [68]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2019 66th National Film Awards Best Director Uri: The Surgical Strike Won [69]
Jagran Film Festival Best Debut Director Won [70]
26th Screen Awards Best Director Nominated [71]
Most Promising Debut Director Won
2020 65th Filmfare Awards Best Director Nominated [72]
Best Debut Director Won
Zee Cine Awards Best Director Nominated
Most Promising Director Won
2021 21st IIFA Awards Best Director Won [73]
Best Story Nominated

References

  1. ^ "'Uri' box office collection Day 53: The Vicky Kaushal starrer military drama is now the tenth highest grosser film ever". The Times of India. 5 March 2019. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
  2. ^ * "'Dhurandhar' box office collection day 12: The Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan starrer continues its winning streak by collecting Rs 30 crore on second Tuesday, crosses Rs 410 crore". The Times of India. 17 December 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
  3. ^ * "Dhurandhar box office collection day 12: Ranveer Singh film crosses ₹400 crore with 0 dip, beats Dangal, Salaar lifetime". Hindustan Times. 16 December 2025. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
  4. ^ "Aditya Dhar profile on Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  5. ^ Sinha, Seema (15 January 2019). "Uri director Aditya Dhar on telling the story of surgical strikes and why it's an army film, not propaganda". Firstpost. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  6. ^ Chakraborty, Juhi (12 March 2021). "Uri director Aditya Dhar's birthday wish: We are really frustrated; I want to have a normal life again". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  7. ^ "Aditya Dhar Biography". celebrityborns.com. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
  8. ^ "Aditya Dhar Upcoming Film Dhurandhar Biography - Rapture Muse". rapturemuse.com. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  9. ^ "Yami Gautam ties the knot with Aditya Dhar". The Indian Express. 4 June 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  10. ^ "Revisiting Yami Gautam's heirloom wedding sari". The Times of India. 21 May 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 27 December 2025.
  11. ^ "Yami Gautam marries Uri director Aditya Dhar in intimate wedding". India Today. 4 June 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  12. ^ "Yami Gautam, Aditya Dhar welcome baby boy, name him Vedavid". The Hindu. PTI. 20 May 2024. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  13. ^ "Yami Gautam Dhar opens up on son Vedavid: 'I still don't believe sometimes that I am a mother'". The Indian Express. 14 November 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
  14. ^ NIjhari, Apoorva (29 February 2020). "Meet Aditya Dhar, The Man Behind Vicky Kaushal's Meteoric Success With 'Uri: The Surgical Strike'". MensXP. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  15. ^ "'It would look stupid if we showed Ajay in college". www.rediff.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2010. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  16. ^ "Aakrosh, Knock-out hit theatres today". Hindustan Times. 15 October 2010. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  17. ^ "Raazi for any role". Telegraph India. Uri will change that. It is an out and out action film.
  18. ^ Masand, Rajeev (9 August 2019). "Uri The Surgical Strike Movie Review: There's a Lot to Admire in This Vicky Kaushal Film". News18. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  19. ^ Sen, Raja (11 January 2019). "Uri review: Vicky Kaushal leads an efficient but unimpressive attack". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  20. ^ "Vicky Kaushal: 'Uri' was physically the most challenging film for me". The Times of India. 28 September 2018. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  21. ^ "Worldwide Highest Grossing Bollywood Movies on 2019 - Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 4 February 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  22. ^ "Uri Box Office Collection: Vicky Kaushal's movie nearing Rs 250 crore in India; first blockbuster of 2019 - BusinessToday". Business Today. 7 March 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  23. ^ "Vicky Kaushal on 'Uri: The Surgical Strike' dialogue 'How's the Josh' going viral". Times of India. 2 February 2019. Archived from the original on 2 February 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  24. ^ Bamzai, Kaveree (22 October 2021). "Vicky Kaushal: Taking the Lead". Times of India. Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  25. ^ "Here is how Uri's popular 'How's the Josh' line came to life". Hindustan Times. PTI. 6 February 2019. Archived from the original on 6 October 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  26. ^ "How's the josh asks prime minister Narendra Modi". Times of India. 21 January 2019. Archived from the original on 21 January 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  27. ^ "Watch: Indian cricket team celebrates New Zealand series win with 'How's the Josh' chant". Indian Express. 4 February 2019. Archived from the original on 8 February 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
  28. ^ "Mumbai Police uses Uri's 'How's the josh' to raise awareness about cybersecurity". Indian Express. 23 January 2019. Archived from the original on 4 February 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  29. ^ "New Year special Vicky Kaushal: I wish for the world to get rid of coronavirus in 2021". Hindustan Times. 1 January 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  30. ^ "First Look: Vicky Kaushal reunites with 'Uri' director for 'The Immortal Ashwatthama'". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  31. ^ "Aditya Dhar reveals why The Immortal Ashwatthama was shelved; says budget was 'too big'". Hindustan Times. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  32. ^ "Uri director Aditya Dhar turns producer; to revive his debut film Raat Baki with Yami Gautam and Pratik Gandhi". 11 January 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  33. ^ * Ramachandran, Naman (11 March 2024). "'Article 370' Producer B62 Reveals Slate, Plans for East Asian Collaborations (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved 19 December 2025.* "Baramulla Movie Review: An atmospheric, thrilling mystery that keeps you hooked". The Times of India. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  34. ^ "Confirmed! Ranveer Singh teams up with Aditya Dhar for his next backed by Jio Studios and B62 Studio; exciting details out!". Bollywood Hungama. 26 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  35. ^ "Dhurandhar Movie Review: Ranveer Singh's subdued yet scorching screen presence fuels this power-packed Karachi mafia thriller". The Times of India. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  36. ^ "Dhurandhar storms into the Rs. 1,000 crore worldwide club; Ranveer Singh scores his first 1,000 cr. grosser". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 26 December 2025.
  37. ^ * "'Dhurandhar' box office collections Day 14". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  38. ^ Mathur, Abhimanyu (27 December 2025). "Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar is now highest grossing Bollywood film in India; beat Jawan, Chhaava, Animal. See full list". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 27 December 2025.
  39. ^ "Ranveer Singh's 'Dhurandhar' BEATS Allu Arjun's 'Pushpa 2 The Rule' to become No 1 film in Hindi cinema; YRF congratulates Aditya Dhar and team". The Times of India. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
  40. ^ "Dhurandhar becomes highest grossing film in Hindi, beats Pushpa 2 with historic ₹831 crore haul". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
  41. ^ "The Real Reason why Aditya Dhar is releasing Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar in two parts". Bollywood Hungama. 19 November 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  42. ^ "Dhurandhar hits theatres: Second part of Ranveer's film to release on this date". India Today. 5 December 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  43. ^ Sata, Fenil (5 December 2025). "Breaking: Dhurandhar ends with the promise of a sequel; to release on Eid, on March 19, 2026; clash with Toxic, Dhamaal 4". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  44. ^ "Who is Aditya Dhar, the director of Dhurandhar". Times of India.
  45. ^ "'Aditya Dhar's genius': How a tiny gun detail turned Dhurandhar into Internet's favourite 'over-analysis' meme". The Indian Express. 5 February 2026. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
  46. ^ Joshi, Tushar (16 February 2024). "Aditya Dhar on casting Vicky Kaushal in 'Uri': 'Everyone called it a mistake'". India Today. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
  47. ^ "'A narrative is being built': Bollywood's battle for Indian hearts and minds". The Guardian. 29 April 2019. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
  48. ^ "Aditya Dhar reacts on Uri propaganda claims". The Indian Express.
  49. ^ "Uri director denies propoganda claims". Times of India.
  50. ^ "Q&A: Aditya Dhar on 'Uri: The Surgical Strike'". Reuters. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
  51. ^ "Aditya Dhar reacts on Article 370, being called an agenda driven film". India TV.
  52. ^ "Dhurandhar review: Aditya Dhar's lengthy yet loaded spy drama is anchored by Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna's brilliance". Hindustan Times. 5 December 2025. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
  53. ^ "Ram Gopal Varma calls Dhurandhar a warning to Indian film industries". Hindustan Times.
  54. ^ "Animal director called Dhurandhar a built like a man". Hindustan Times.
  55. ^ "Anurag Kashyap lauds Aditya Dhar for Dhurandhar". Times of India.
  56. ^ "Anurag Kashyap applauds Aditya Dhar's 'courage, patience' for making Dhurandhar, says backlash against critics a 'coordinated attack'". The Indian Express. 13 February 2026. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
  57. ^ "Aakrosh, Knock-out hit theatres today". Hindustan Times. 15 October 2010. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  58. ^ "Ajay Devgn's Tezz gets mixed reviews". Hindustan Times. 27 April 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  59. ^ "Uri: The Surgical Strike box office collection — Vicky Kaushal's action film crosses Rs 100 cr mark-Entertainment News , Firstpost". Firstpost. 21 January 2019. Archived from the original on 6 October 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  60. ^ "Article 370 Box Office Collection Day 1: Good Start To Yami Gautam-Priyamani's Political Drama". English Jagran. 24 February 2024. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  61. ^ "Dhoom Dhaam teaser: Yami Gautam, Pratik Gandhi on a rollercoaster of action-comedy". India Today. Archived from the original on 22 January 2025. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  62. ^ "In Netflix's 'Baramulla', Manav Kaul is a cop investigating child disappearances in Kashmir". The Week. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  63. ^ Ray, Sanjana (19 November 2025). "Dhurandhar release date, cast, characters, true story and everything else you need to know". GQ India. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  64. ^ "Dhurandhar hits theatres: Second part of Ranveer's film to release on this date". India Today. 5 December 2025. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  65. ^ "Kabul Express - Haunting, lilting and enchanting". www.yashrajfilms.com. Archived from the original on 4 August 2025. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  66. ^ "Ajay, Kajol to do 'train song'". hindustantimes.com. Archived from the original on 17 February 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  67. ^ "Daddy Cool Movie Review {2.5/5}: Critic Review of Daddy Cool by Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  68. ^ "Phhir (2011) Cast - Actor, Actress, Director, Producer, Music Director | Cinestaan". Cinestaan. Archived from the original on 20 July 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  69. ^ "National Film Awards: Vicky Kaushal And Ayushmann Khurrana Share Best Actor". NDTV. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  70. ^ "10th Jagran Film Festival was inaugurated". currentaffairs.gktoday.in. Archived from the original on 20 July 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  71. ^ Kerner, Lou (9 December 2019). "Star Screen Awards 2019 Winners List – Who won Star Screen Awards this year?". Gulf News. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  72. ^ "Filmfare Awards 2020 winners list: Gully Boy makes history, wins 13 awards including Best Film, Actor and Actress". Firstpost. 16 February 2020. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  73. ^ "IIFA Awards 2020 – Popular Award Winners". IIFA Awards. 25 November 2021. Archived from the original on 26 November 2021. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
logo
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aditya Dhar.