Yami Gautam Dhar is one of contemporary Hindi cinema’s thoughtful actors. Since breaking into films with a small but memorable role in Vicky Donor, she has built a career defined by careful script choices and steady growth
Audiences and critics praise her for mixing mainstream hits with offbeat, character-driven parts. Over the last decade she has moved from debutante to dependable lead, appearing in comedies, thrillers, social dramas and streaming originals.
Her work in films like Uri: The Surgical Strike, Bala and OMG 2 brought both box-office success and critical recognition.
This longform biography covers Yami’s early life, education, TV beginnings, film career, notable roles, personal life, brand work, honors, public image and frequently asked questions all written simply for readers and optimised for search.

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Table of Contents
Yami Gautam’s Bio
Early life and Background
Yami Gautam was born on 28 November 1988 in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh.
She hails from a Punjabi family with ties to film and culture: her father Mukesh Gautam is a film director, and creativity was part of her household growing up.
The family later moved to Chandigarh, where Yami completed school and considered different career paths.
As a young student she reportedly aspired to a stable professional life and even considered the civil services, but law studies and an exposure to modelling steered her toward the entertainment industry. 1
Her sister Surilie Gautam also entered the entertainment world, which made acting and the arts a familiar choice for the family. Yami’s roots in North India, combined with early modelling and television work, gave her a foundation for the screen.
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Quick facts & stats table
| Item | Fact |
|---|---|
| Full name | Yami Gautam Dhar. |
| Date of birth | 28 November 1988. |
| Place of birth | Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, India. |
| Grew up in | Chandigarh (family moved there). |
| Education | Pursued law before choosing acting (studies reported in profiles). |
| Industry debut | Television (late 2000s); Kannada film debut Ullasa Utsaha (2010); Hindi breakout Vicky Donor (2012). |
| Notable films | Vicky Donor, Badlapur, Kaabil, Uri: The Surgical Strike, Bala, OMG 2, Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga, Article 370. |
| Awards & nominations | Multiple nominations and wins across film, critics and popular awards; Zee Cine Award for Best Female Debut for Vicky Donor was an early honour. |
| Spouse | Aditya Dhar (filmmaker); married in 2021. |
| Children | Public reports indicate she has become a mother and has returned to work after childbirth. |
| Approx. net worth (reported) | Estimates vary; several outlets report figures in the multi-crore/ million-dollar range. |
| Active years | 2008–present. |
TV beginnings and Early Screen Work of Yami Gautam
Before films, Yami began as a model and a television actress. She appeared in Hindi TV serials such as Chand Ke Paar Chalo and Yeh Pyar Na Hoga Kam in the late 2000s.
Those roles gave her on-camera experience and exposure to acting routines, camera work and performance discipline.
Her film debut came in regional cinema: the Kannada film Ullasa Utsaha (2010). That early foray into films preceded her Hindi-language debut two years later with a title that would change everything — Vicky Donor.

Breakthrough: Vicky Donor and The First Big Step
Vicky Donor (2012), directed by Shoojit Sircar and starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Yami Gautam, was a sleeper hit and a cultural talking point.
The movie tackled a sensitive subject sperm donation and male infertility with warmth and humour. Yami played the female lead and received wide notice for her natural screen presence and chemistry with the lead actor.
The film’s success gave her a high-profile launch in Hindi cinema and won her industry recognition, including the Zee Cine Award for Best Female Debut.
The film’s success was also important because it showcased a different path to stardom: content-driven, low-budget films with strong word-of-mouth could make stars overnight. For Yami, it laid a foundation of credibility and a taste for roles that balanced commercial and content sensibilities.
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The Steady Climb: Diverse Roles and Craft Building
After Vicky Donor, Yami took a mix of supporting and lead roles that helped her explore range:
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Supporting and character turns: She received positive responses for supporting roles in films such as Badlapur (2015) and Kaabil (2017). Critics highlighted how she brought nuance to smaller but pivotal parts.
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Mainstream entertainers: Films like Action Jackson and Sanam Re allowed her to try different genres action, romance, melodrama and learn the mechanics of commercial cinema.2
This period showed Yami’s willingness to keep working consistently while choosing parts that improved her craft rather than chasing quick glamour.

2019: Uri and Bala
The year 2019 is often cited as a turning point for Yami.
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Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019): Directed by Aditya Dhar, Uri became a major hit and a patriotic commercial success. Yami played an intelligence officer opposite Vicky Kaushal. The film’s scale and box office performance raised her visibility in mainstream Hindi cinema.
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Bala (2019): In the satire Bala, Yami played a social-media influencer, a role that used comic timing and modern cultural commentary. Critics appreciated her comic instincts and timing, and Bala was a commercial success that further cemented her place in the mainstream.
These two contrasting films a high-octane military drama and a social satire demonstrated her range and helped position her for a steady run of notable projects.
Streaming Era and Mature Roles (2020–Present)
As the industry shifted toward streaming platforms, Yami adapted well.
Her film choices after 2019 show a balance between theatrical releases and OTT projects:
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Streaming and theatricals: She starred in films and streaming originals including Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga (Netflix), A Thursday (streaming), Dasvi and others that targeted both theaters and digital audiences. These projects emphasized character work and narrative drive more than star spectacle.
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Commercial resurgence: OMG 2 (2023), a satire addressing themes around sex education, became one of the higher grossers of the year. Yami’s performance as a lawyer earned a Filmfare nomination for Best Supporting Actress, illustrating how supporting parts in big films can have substantial impact.
Her recent projects also include Article 370 (2024), a political-action thriller, and titles slated for release in 2024–2025, showing that Yami remains in demand for substantive roles across formats.

Acting Style and On-Screen Persona
Yami is often described as subtle, natural and expressive. She tends to avoid over-dramatic flourishes, preferring internalized performances that suit both intimate dramas and larger commercial films.
Critics praise her comic timing (notably in Bala) and her ability to play restrained, intelligent characters (like in Uri and many streaming thrillers).
Her background in television and early modelling helped her build a dependable on-screen presence that casting directors value.
Personal Life: Marriage and Motherhood
Yami Gautam married filmmaker Aditya Dhar in June 2021 in a private ceremony that attracted affectionate media coverage for its simplicity.
Aditya Dhar, known for his directorial work, and Yami have collaborated professionally and personally. The couple kept their wedding low-key, with family photographs and a few public notes shared after the event.
In recent reporting, Yami has returned to shooting after becoming a mother. Media outlets noted her first day back on set and shared light human-interest details (for example, that she enjoyed traditional panjeeri laddoos on her return).
These reports show how she balances a career and new parenthood while staying professionally active.
Brand Endorsements
Yami’s public image is a blend of approachable charm and tasteful sophistication. She often appears in fashion and beauty features, and lifestyle outlets highlight her skincare and fitness routines.
Her measured public statements and social media presence contribute to a brand image that is relatable rather than sensational. Yami’s endorsements and media partnerships complement her film career and add to her visibility.

Net Worth and Business
Net-worth estimates vary across outlets. Several lifestyle and business publications have published figures based on film fees, endorsements and investments.
Estimates in mainstream media put her wealth in the multi-crore rupee range (equivalent to several million dollars), though exact numbers differ by source.
These estimates typically include: acting fees, brand deals, social media promotions and real-estate assets. Readers should treat such figures as industry estimates rather than audited financial statements.3
Awards, Recognitions and Nominations
Since her debut, Yami has won several awards and received numerous nominations.
Highlights include:
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Zee Cine Award for Best Female Debut for Vicky Donor (early recognition).
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Filmfare nominations (e.g., for her performance in OMG 2 as a supporting actress).
In addition to formal awards, critical lists and year-end roundups have recognized her among noteworthy performances of particular years (for example 2019).
These honors underline a career driven by performance rather than only box office tallies.
Select Filmography
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Ullasa Utsaha (Kannada debut, 2010).
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Vicky Donor (2012) — breakout.
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Badlapur (2015) — supporting role.
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Kaabil (2017) — supporting performance.
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Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019) — major mainstream success.
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Bala (2019) — critical and commercial success.
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Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga (Netflix, 2023).
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OMG 2 (2023) — major box office and critical attention.
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Article 370 (2024).
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Projects slated 2024–2025 (various; see current filmography sources).
Industry Impact and Legacy
Yami’s career shows a template for actors who mix mainstream and content-driven choices.
She is not an overnight superstar in the traditional sense, but a consistent performer who builds credibility through diverse parts.
Her choices reflect an awareness of the changing industry streaming content, social-issue films and hybrid commercial projects all feature in her recent work.
By balancing mainstream appeal with character-driven roles, she remains a sought-after actor for directors looking for a reliable lead with range.
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FAQ’s
Q: When and where was Yami Gautam born?
A: Yami Gautam was born on 28 November 1988 in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, India.
Q: What was Yami’s breakout film?
A: Her Bollywood breakout was Vicky Donor (2012), which won praise and brought her early awards attention.
Q: Is Yami Gautam married? Who is her husband?
A: Yes. She married filmmaker Aditya Dhar in 2021. The two keep much of their private life low-key.
Q: Has Yami won big awards?
A: She won the Zee Cine Award for Best Female Debut for Vicky Donor and has several nominations including Filmfare nods for later work.
Q: What kind of roles does she prefer?
A: Yami balances commercial films with character-driven work. She has shown interest in roles with emotional depth, satire and topical themes. Critics often note her natural, understated acting style.
Q: What is Yami’s approximate net worth?
A: Media estimates vary. Several reputable outlets report her net worth in the multi-crore rupee range (equivalent to multiple millions of dollars), but such numbers are estimates and differ by source. See cited sources for sample figures.
Q: Is she active on streaming platforms?
A: Yes, she has starred in OTT projects and films that premiered on streaming platforms, reflecting the industry’s streaming shift. Examples include Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga on Netflix and several other digital-first releases.
Q: What projects does she have next?
A: Filmographies change, but recent listings include projects slated for 2024–2025 such as Article 370 and other titles; you can check updated filmography pages for the latest release dates.
Closing Thought
Yami Gautam’s career is an example of steady, considered growth. She has avoided extreme publicity stunts, preferring a measured public life and thoughtful role choices.
From a TV actress and regional debut to mainstream hits and streaming originals, her journey reflects how modern actors mix formats and genres to build a long-term career.
As the industry evolves, Yami’s balance of mainstream appeal and craft-driven roles suggests she will remain a familiar and respected presence in Indian cinema.
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