Aditya Dhar

Aditya Dhar is an Indian film director, screenwriter, lyricist and producer, best known for directing the military action film Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019). The film earned him the National Film Award for Best Director and established him as a leading filmmaker in contemporary Hindi cinema.

Aditya Dhar
Born	12 March 1983 New Delhi, India
Nationality	Indian
Occupation	Director Writer Producer Lyricist
Years active	2006–present
Known for	Uri: The Surgical Strike
Spouse	Yami Gautam
Children	1
Production company	B62 Studios
Net worth	₹70.5 crore (individual)

Early Life and Background

Aditya Dhar was born on 12 March 1983 in New Delhi, India, into a Kashmiri Pandit family. His mother, Dr. Suneeta Dhar, served as the Dean and Head of the Faculty of Music & Fine Arts at the University of Delhi, exposing him early to art, culture and academic discipline.

During his college years, Dhar was actively involved in theatre, particularly with groups such as the Delhi Music Theatre. This engagement nurtured his interest in storytelling, performance and narrative structure. Although he initially aspired to join the Indian Army, circumstances led him to pursue a career in cinema instead.

Move to Mumbai

In the mid-2000s, Dhar relocated to Mumbai to enter the film industry. Like many aspiring filmmakers, he began with modest roles and reportedly worked as a radio jockey before transitioning into film writing. This phase marked a period of struggle, learning and creative refinement.

Gradually, he established himself as a lyricist and writer, contributing to multiple projects across genres and formats.

Career

Early Writing Work

Aditya Dhar began his Bollywood career as a lyricist with Kabul Express (2006). He subsequently worked as a writer and dialogue writer on films including Haal-e-Dil (2008), Daddy Cool (2009), Aakrosh (2010) and Tezz (2012). These projects helped him develop a strong command over screenplay structure and cinematic dialogue.

Directorial Breakthrough

Dhar made his directorial debut with Uri: The Surgical Strike in 2019. Based on the 2016 Uri attack and India’s subsequent military response, the film starred Vicky Kaushal, Yami Gautam and Paresh Rawal.

The film was both a commercial and critical success, grossing over ₹342 crore worldwide. It won multiple accolades, including:

• National Film Award for Best Director (2019)
• Filmfare Award for Best Debut Director (2020)

The film’s dialogue “How’s the Josh?” became a nationwide cultural catchphrase.

Production Ventures

In 2021, Aditya Dhar launched his own production banner, B62 Studios. Under this banner, he contributed as a story and screenplay writer for Article 370 (2024).

His upcoming directorial project, Dhurandhar, is a spy-action thriller starring Ranveer Singh and is scheduled for release on 5 December 2025.

Personal Life

Aditya Dhar married actress Yami Gautam on 4 June 2021. The couple welcomed their first child, a son, in May 2024. He resides in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Physical Appearance

• Height: 5 ft 7 in (175 cm)
• Weight: Approx. 65 kg
• Eye colour: Black
• Hair colour: Black

Interests and Beliefs

Dhar has a deep interest in theatre, writing and storytelling. His films often explore themes of patriotism, realism and emotional intensity. His Kashmiri Pandit heritage and early exposure to fine arts have strongly influenced his creative voice.

Legacy

Aditya Dhar’s journey from theatre and writing to becoming a National Award–winning filmmaker represents a modern success story in Hindi cinema. With a focus on grounded narratives and socially relevant themes, he has emerged as one of the most impactful directors of his generation.