Aditya Dhar is currently in the spotlight as the director of the much-talked-about espionage film Dhurandhar: The Revenge, which was released worldwide on March 19, 2026. After the success of its 2025 prequel, the sequel has already created history by becoming the first Hindi film to cross ₹100 crore net on its opening day in India while earning an impressive ₹236 crore globally.
Amid all the buzz, Dhar has asked fans via Instagram request not to share spoilers and to protect the film's big twists. While the film has faced some criticism-with influencers like Dhruv Rathee calling it "propaganda"-it has also received strong support from filmmakers like Shankar and Ram Gopal Varma, who praised Dhar's work, with Varma saying it marks a shift away from the era of "god-like heroes" in Indian cinema.
Who is Aditya Dhar?
Aditya Dhar is an award-winning Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer. He was born on March 12, 1983, in New Delhi, making him 43 years old. He belongs to a Kashmiri Pandit family and practices Hinduism. Dhar gained nationwide fame with his directorial debut, Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019), which earned him the National Film Award for Best Director. He is also the co-founder of B62 Studios, a production house he established with his brother Lokesh Dhar in 2019.
Aditya Dhar: Early Life and Passion for Cricket
Before entering the film industry, Aditya Dhar was a promising cricketer who played at the Under-19 level. He left cricket because of selection politics, but at first he wanted to play for the Indian national team. After starting his career in film as a lyricist for Kabul Express (2006), he went on to create language for movies like Aakrosh (2010) and Tezz (2012). He also served as an assistant to veteran directors such as Priyadarshan before making his directorial debut.
Aditya Dhar Wife
Aditya Dhar is married to acclaimed actress Yami Gautam. The couple met during the filming of Uri: The Surgical Strike and got married in June 2021. They have a son named Vedavid, born in May 2024. The couple often collaborates professionally; Yami Gautam starred in Article 370 (2024), which Dhar produced and wrote under his B62 Studios banner.
Aditya Dhar Net Worth
After establishing himself as one of India's most sought-after directors, Aditya Dhar has built significant wealth. His personal net worth is estimated to be between ₹25-30 crore. Together with his wife, Yami Gautam, the couple's combined net worth exceeds ₹100 crore. Dhar reportedly charges a directorial fee of ₹8-10 crore per film.
Aditya Dhar Parents and Family
Aditya Dhar was born to a Kashmiri Pandit family in New Delhi. His mother, Dr. Suneeta Dhar, served as a Dean at Delhi University. His father's name is not widely publicized. He has a brother, Lokesh Dhar, who is his business partner at B62 Studios. The family has roots in the Kashmiri Pandit community, which has influenced some of the cultural themes in his work.
Aditya Dhar Movies and Career Journey
Aditya Dhar started off as a lyricist for Kabul Express (2006) before moving on to create dialogue for movies like Tezz (2012) and Aakrosh (2010).
- Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019), his directorial debut, won him the National Award and was a critical and financial success.
- In 2019, he co-founded B62 Studios. He created and produced the popular political thriller Article 370 (2024) under this name. But with the Dhurandhar franchise, his career soared to new heights:
- Dhurandhar (2025): A spy-action thriller that became the highest-grossing Hindi film ever, collecting over ₹1,300 crore worldwide.
- Dhurandhar: The Revenge (March 2026): The sequel opened to a record-breaking ₹102.55 crore net on day one in India.
Although he is now concentrating on the Dhurandhar trilogy, his eagerly awaited project, The Immortal Ashwatthama, is still being discussed after it was allegedly postponed because of financial issues.
Aditya Dhar Controversies
Aditya Dhar's films, particularly the Dhurandhar series and Uri, have frequently been at the center of political and social debates. Critics and social media figures have accused his work of being "propaganda." More recently, Dhurandhar 2 drew criticism from religious leaders who raised concerns about communal portrayals in the film. Despite the controversies, the films have continued to perform strongly at the box office.

