Aditya Dhar has quietly carved his place among the elite filmmakers of Bollywood. Born and raised in New Delhi, Dhar’s journey from writing songs and dialogues to directing a blockbuster film has been inspirational
In 2019, with his directorial debut Uri: The Surgical Strike he shot to fame, earning critical acclaim, commercial success, and the prestigious National Film Award for Best Director.
Over time, he has expanded his creative repertoire writing, producing, and building his own production house.
Today, he is shaping stories that aim to resonate with audiences, not only in India, but globally.
This article explores his life, career, achievements, projects, and what makes him one of the most promising names in contemporary Hindi cinema.

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Table of Contents
Biography of Aditya Dhar
Early Life & Background
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Date of Birth: 12 March 19831
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Place of Birth: New Delhi, India
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Family Background: Born into a Kashmiri Pandit family. His mother, Dr. Suneeta Dhar, was the Dean and Head of the Faculty of Music & Fine Arts at the University of Delhi.2
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Siblings: He has a brother named Lokesh Dhar.
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Early Interests: Growing up in a culturally rich household, Dhar developed an early love for the arts. As a young man, he was drawn to theatre and performance a seedbed for his future creative journey.
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Move to Mumbai: In the mid-2000s, Dhar left Delhi and moved to Mumbai to pursue his passion for media and films.
His early environment steeped in music, arts and academic discipline helped give him a grounded approach to storytelling. The shift from Delhi to Mumbai marked a crucial turning point, opening the doors to the world of Hindi cinema.

Entry Into Films: From Lyricist to Writer
Like many successful filmmakers, Dhar didn’t start with grandeur. His journey in Bollywood began with smaller but meaningful roles.
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Lyricist Debut: His first brush with Bollywood came as a lyricist. He contributed songs to films like Kabul Express (2008) and later worked on other projects.3
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Dialogue Writing: Dhar also wrote dialogues for films like Aakrosh and Tezz.
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Early Work & Short Films: He contributed to smaller projects and short films before landing his big break. These years helped him learn the craft of writing and filmmaking from the ground up.
This phase was crucial: it gave Dhar the grounding in storytelling rhythm, pacing, dialogues which later became a hallmark of his films.
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— Aditya Dhar (@AdityaDharFilms) November 25, 2025
Major Breakthrough: Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019)
The true turning point in Dhar’s career arrived in 2019 with Uri: The Surgical Strike.
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Debut as Director: Uri was his first film as a director. He not only directed but also wrote the screenplay.
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Plot & Context: The film is a dramatized, fictionally adaptd account of the real-life 2016 military retaliation after the Uri attack. It aimed to present a powerful and intense narrative while staying rooted in realism.
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Cast & Production: The film starred notable actors and was produced by a well-known production house under the banner “RSVP Movies.”
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Success & Impact:
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Awards and Recognition:
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He won the National Film Award for Best Director for Uri.
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He also clinched Best Debut Director at the Filmfare Awards (65th edition) in 2020.
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Additionally, Uri earned other awards and nominations across different ceremonies.
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With Uri, Aditya Dhar announced his arrival not just as a writer or lyricist, but as a filmmaker with vision, conviction, and the ability to tell gripping stories on a large canvas.

Expanding the Horizon: Producer, Writer, and Studio Founder
Riding high on the success of Uri, Dhar did not settle. He decided to expand his creative control and take on multiple roles, gradually shaping a broader production identity.
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Founding of B62 Studios: Along with his brother Lokesh Dhar, Aditya founded B62 Studios named after their childhood address in Delhi. Through this studio, he aimed to develop and produce films that aligned with his creative vision.
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Roles Beyond Direction: Dhar didn’t confine himself just to directing. He began to produce and write films under his studio, enabling a fuller creative control from conception to screen.6
This expansion reflects his ambition not just to make films, but to shape narratives, manage storytelling end-to-end, and contribute meaningfully to Hindi cinema’s evolving landscape.
Recent Works and Upcoming Projects
Here is a look at some of the recent works associated with Aditya Dhar, and what’s coming up next.
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Article 370 (2024): While Dhar did not direct this film, he contributed as a writer and producer. The film performed well enough to be considered among the notable Hindi releases of 2024.
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Dhoom Dhaam (2025): Dhar served as producer (alongside Jyoti Deshpande and Lokesh Dhar) for this romantic action comedy. The film released on 14 February 2025 on a major OTT platform.
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Upcoming: Dhurandhar (2025): This is set to be Dhar’s second directorial venture. The film reportedly features a star-studded cast including veteran and leading actors. Its release is scheduled for December 2025.
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Earlier shelved project — The Immortal Ashwatthama: After Uri’s success, Dhar announced a mythological-based superhero film starring a prominent actor. However, due to budget constraints and the global pandemic, this project was delayed and eventually shelved.
Through B62 Studios and these projects, Dhar is showing that his ambitions go beyond single films he seems intent on building a legacy, shaping bold stories, and redefining mainstream Hindi cinema’s boundaries.
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Personal Life
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Spouse: Dhar is married to actress Yami Gautam. The couple tied the knot on 4 June 2021 in a private ceremony.
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Child: On 10 May 2024, the couple welcomed their first child, a son named Vedavid Dhar.
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Lifestyle & Net Worth: According to recent reports, Dhar and Gautam together are estimated to have a combined net worth of around ₹100 crore. Despite their wealth, they reportedly prefer a quiet, understated lifestyle living modestly in a well-designed home in an upscale neighbourhood, owning a luxury car, and making strategic investments.7
His personal life reflects a balance: professional ambition grounded by family, and success tempered by privacy and discretion.

Filmography & Major Works
Here is a concise table of key films and roles associated with Aditya Dhar:
| Year | Film / Project | Role(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 onwards | Various films (lyrics, dialogues) | Lyricist / Dialogue Writer |
| 2019 | Uri: The Surgical Strike | Director & Screenwriter |
| 2024 | Article 370 | Writer & Producer |
| 2025 | Dhoom Dhaam | Producer (under B62 Studios) |
| 2025 (expected) | Dhurandhar | Director, Writer, Producer |
Awards & Recognition
The success of Uri opened the floodgates for recognition.
Here are some of the most notable honours:
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66th National Film Awards — Best Director for Uri: The Surgical Strike
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Filmfare Awards (2020) — Best Debut Director for Uri
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Other awards and nominations from festivals and film award ceremonies, recognizing both direction and debut.
These accolades underline his successful transition from behind-the-scenes writer to respected director a rare trajectory in Bollywood.

Milestones & Impact on Bollywood
Aditya Dhar’s career stands out for several reasons:
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Late Bloom to Stardom: Many directors start young; Dhar’s major breakthrough came in his mid-30s. His journey exemplifies patience, persistence, and steady work.
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Versatility: From lyricist and dialogue writer to film director, screenwriter, and producer, Dhar understands multiple layers of film-making.
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Bold Topic Selection: With Uri, he dared to dramatize a sensitive real-life military event. The film’s success showed that audiences appreciate realistic, grounded narratives.
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Creative Control: Through B62 Studios, Dhar ensures his stories don’t get watered down, he oversees projects from script to screen, ensuring authenticity.
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Balanced Personal Life: Despite fame and success, he seems to value privacy and balance, giving importance to family and real life beyond the glitz.
All these make him a filmmaker who is not just delivering for today, but building an enduring reputation.
Recent Buzz & What Lies Ahead
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His upcoming film Dhurandhar (2025), as director, writer, and producer is much anticipated. The project reportedly features a stellar cast and promises to be a big cinematic event.8
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Dhar’s decision to shelve his earlier ambitious film The Immortal Ashwatthama shows his commitment to quality over haste he believes that a story deserves the right resources and environment before being made.
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Through B62 Studios, he seems to be building a stable base for future projects, possibly beyond Hindi cinema. His creative lens and ambition suggest there’s more in store, maybe even cinematic ventures that push the envelope.
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Quick Stats
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Aditya Dhar |
| Date of Birth | 12 March 1983 |
| Place of Birth | New Delhi, India |
| Family / Background | Kashmiri Pandit family; Mother – Dr. Suneeta Dhar; Brother – Lokesh Dhar |
| Career Start | Mid-2000s, as lyricist / dialogue writer / screenwriter |
| Directorial Debut | Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019) |
| Production House | B62 Studios (co-founded with brother Lokesh Dhar) |
| Spouse | Yami Gautam, married 4 June 2021 |
| Child | Son — Vedavid Dhar, born 10 May 2024 |
| Estimated Combined Net Worth (with spouse) | Around ₹100 crore, according to recent reports |
| Major Awards | National Film Award for Best Director (2019), Filmfare Best Debut Director (2020), plus other recognitions |
FAQ’s
Q1: Is Aditya Dhar originally from Mumbai?
Answer: No. Aditya Dhar was born and raised in New Delhi. He later moved to Mumbai in the mid-2000s to pursue his film career.
Q2: What was Aditya Dhar’s first job in films?
Answer: He started out as a lyricist. His initial work included writing songs for films like Kabul Express around 2008. Later, he expanded into dialogue writing and storytelling.
Q3: Which film gave him his big break?
Answer: His big break came with Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019), which was his first film as a director. That film brought him both critical acclaim and commercial success.
Q4: Has he won any national-level award?
Answer: Yes. He won the National Film Award for Best Director for Uri: The Surgical Strike.
Q5: Is he involved only in directing, or does he do production and writing too?
Answer: He is a multi-faceted filmmaker. Besides directing, he writes and produces films. He co-founded B62 Studios, through which many of his projects get produced.
Q6: Who is his wife?
Answer: He is married to Bollywood actress Yami Gautam. The couple tied the knot on 4 June 2021.
Q7: Do they have any children?
Answer: Yes. On 10 May 2024, they welcomed their first child, a son named Vedavid.
Q8: What projects are coming up for Aditya Dhar now?
Answer: His next directorial venture is Dhurandhar, slated to release in December 2025. He continues to produce and write under B62 Studios, and has worked on films like Article 370 (2024) and Dhoom Dhaam (2025).
Conclusion
Aditya Dhar’s journey is proof that perseverance, talent, and a clear vision can lead to success even if one starts from humble beginnings.
From writing songs and dialogues to winning national awards, from working odd jobs in Mumbai to founding his own studio his path reflects grit, adaptability, and ambition.
In a film industry often dominated by flash and glamor, Dhar stands out for his grounded approach, commitment to realism, and respect for storytelling.
As he gears up for more projects, one can only expect his signature style bold, honest, and evocative to leave a lasting mark on Indian cinema.
His story serves as an inspiration for many that belief, hard work, and creative integrity still matter.
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