Aditya Dhar: From Career Struggles to ₹900 Cr Blockbusters – A Complete Journey
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| Aditya Dhar journy |
Aditya Dhar is one of the most remarkable success stories in modern Hindi cinema. From facing repeated professional setbacks to delivering back-to-back record-breaking blockbusters, Dhar’s journey reflects resilience, patience, and creative conviction.
With films like Uri: The Surgical Strike and Dhurandhar, Aditya Dhar has firmly established himself among the most commercially successful and critically respected filmmakers in India today.
Early Career: Mumbai Struggles & Behind-the-Scenes Work
In 2006, Aditya Dhar moved to Mumbai to pursue a career in films. Like many outsiders, his early years were marked by struggle and uncertainty.
He began working as an assistant director and contributed creatively across departments:
- Wrote song lyrics for Kabul Express (directed by Kabir Khan)
- Contributed to films like Haal-e-Dil and Daddy Cool
- Wrote dialogues for Priyadarshan’s films Aakrosh and Tezz
Setbacks Before Success: Shelved Projects & Betrayals
Before tasting success, Dhar faced multiple career-altering disappointments.
- A potential directorial debut in 2013 collapsed unexpectedly
- In 2015–16, he was set to direct Raat Baaki for Dharma Productions, starring Fawad Khan and Katrina Kaif
- The project was shelved due to the Uri attack and the subsequent ban on Pakistani actors
Dhar has openly spoken about how some people he trusted allegedly took his scripts and made successful films from them — a period that tested his resolve.
Breakthrough: Uri – The Surgical Strike (2019)
In 2019, Aditya Dhar made his directorial debut with Uri: The Surgical Strike, starring Vicky Kaushal, Yami Gautam, and Paresh Rawal.
The film:
- Was based on India’s retaliation after the 2016 Uri attack
- Received massive critical and audience acclaim
- Won Dhar the National Film Award for Best Director
- Earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Debut Director
Uri Box Office Collection
- Worldwide: ₹341.75 Cr
- India Net: ₹244.14 Cr
- India Gross: ₹293.75 Cr
- Overseas: ₹48 Cr
- Verdict: All Time Blockbuster
Building B62 Studios & Creative Expansion
In 2021, Aditya Dhar co-founded B62 Studios with his brother Lokesh Dhar. Under this banner, he backed and creatively shaped projects like:
- Article 370 (political drama)
- Baramulla (horror thriller)
Dhurandhar (2025): A Box Office Phenomenon
On 5 December 2025, Dhar returned as director with the spy thriller Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, and Arjun Rampal.
The film:
- Received strong reviews for direction and scale
- Emerged as one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time
- Was later expanded into a two-part franchise
Dhurandhar Box Office Collection (Till Now)
- Worldwide: ₹897.5 Cr
- India Net: ₹589.5 Cr
- India Gross: ₹707.5 Cr
- Overseas: ₹190 Cr
The film’s extraordinary run confirmed Aditya Dhar as a bankable, elite-league Bollywood director.
What’s Next: Dhurandhar Part 2
Originally conceived as a single film, Dhurandhar was later expanded into two parts.
Dhurandhar 2 to release PAN-INDIA in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada & Malayalam Grand Eid 2026 release on 19 March.
Trade expectations are massive, with the sequel expected to open even bigger.
Personal Life
- Born: 12 March 1983, New Delhi
- Background: Kashmiri Pandit family
- Education: Delhi University
- Married to: Actress Yami Gautam (June 2021)
- Children: One son (born May 2024)
From abandoned projects and industry setbacks to delivering ₹900 Cr box office juggernauts, Aditya Dhar’s journey is a powerful reminder that persistence beats privilege.
With Uri and Dhurandhar, he has not only delivered commercial milestones but also reshaped the modern action-thriller space in Hindi cinema.
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