Last Updated:January 11, 2026, 20:46 IST

Aditya Dhar marked seven years of Uri by reflecting on his debut, calling filmmaking a hard, unforgiving journey and thanking audiences for embracing his work.

Aditya Dhar marked seven years of Uri.

Aditya Dhar’s directorial, Dhurandhar, has been smashing box office records ever since its release, and as the movie continues to enjoy a successful run in theatres, Aditya Dhar has spoken about the journey of a filmmaker. Today, on January 11, Aditya Dhar, who is also celebrating the release anniversary of his debut film Uri: The Surgical Strike, took to social media to share how his debut film changed his life forever.

Taking to his Instagram stories, Dhar shared, “11th January 2019. A day that changed my life forever. My first film, Uri, released that day. I had waited a long time for that moment. My dream finally became a reality. The intent was clear from the beginning: to make a brave, bold film that could signal a new phase in our cinema. To tell an Indian story with international standards.”

He went on to add, “I remind myself often to never forget where it all began. Beginnings keep you grounded and hungry. Filmmaking is a hard, unforgiving journey, full of doubt and long nights. But when the audience shows up and embraces your work, every struggle suddenly makes sense. That feeling makes it all worth it.”

About Uri

Uri: The Surgical Strike, released in 2019, was directed by Aditya Dhar and dramatised the 2016 Indian Army surgical strikes. The film starred Vicky Kaushal as Major Vihaan Shergill, with Yami Gautam playing a key role. Vicky’s performance received widespread acclaim, with particular praise for his physical transformation and commanding screen presence. The role went on to become one of the most defining performances of his career.

About Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar

Made under the direction of Aditya Dhar and produced under the banners of Jio Studios and B62 Studios, Dhurandhar is a high-octane action thriller inspired by real-life events linked to National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. The film portrays the bravery and covert operations of Indian special agents in Pakistan.

Ranveer Singh leads the narrative as a fearless undercover spy, sporting a rugged, long-haired look and a gritty, intense demeanour. The film also brings together a powerhouse ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, and Sara Arjun. The film blends patriotism with suspense-driven storytelling, supported by powerful performances from its ensemble cast.