The Indian film industry is witnessing a heartwarming display of mentorship and success as veteran director Priyadarshan publicly celebrated the monumental achievement of his former protege, Aditya Dhar. This comes on the heels of Dhar's latest directorial venture, the gangster action saga 'Dhurandhar', crossing a staggering ₹790 crore at the Indian box office.
A Mentor's Pride on Social Media
Taking to Instagram, Priyadarshan shared a nostalgic behind-the-scenes picture from the sets of their 2012 film 'Tezz'. The image featured a young Aditya Dhar in deep discussion with the veteran filmmaker. Alongside the photo, Priyadarshan penned a caption filled with paternal pride, calling Dhar his "disciple". He wrote, "There is no greater happiness than watching my disciple rise with such remarkable success. Congratulations Aditya Dhar on Dhurandhar, and heartfelt best wishes for Dhurandhar 2."
Aditya Dhar's Emotional Tribute
The gesture prompted an immediate and deeply emotional response from Aditya Dhar. In a lengthy comment, the 'Uri' director expressed profound gratitude, revealing the foundational role Priyadarshan played in his career. Dhar acknowledged that Priyadarshan believed in him "when I was a nobody", offering him not just work but dignity and trust.
He credited the veteran for teaching him crucial lessons both in filmmaking and in life, stating, "In an industry where I often learnt what not to do, you taught me exactly what to do... I will forever be your student first." Dhar's career with Priyadarshan began as a dialogue writer on films like 'Tezz' and 'Aakrosh', a foundation he clearly holds dear.
Industry-Wide Acclaim and Future Clash
Aditya Dhar's 'Dhurandhar' has garnered praise from a wide spectrum of filmmakers, including Ram Gopal Varma, Sandeep Reddy Vanga, and Karan Johar. Notably, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap also recently commended the film, calling its craft "top notch" on Letterboxd. While acknowledging he might debate the film's politics with Dhar, Kashyap affirmed the film's significance, highlighting Dhar's honest and personal connection to the Kashmir narrative as a Kashmiri Pandit.
The film is a two-part epic, with 'Dhurandhar 2' already slated for an Eid 2026 release. This sets the stage for a major box office clash with Rocking Star Yash's highly anticipated film 'Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups'.
This exchange between Priyadarshan and Aditya Dhar underscores a cherished narrative in cinema – the passing of the torch. It highlights how faith and guidance given to a budding talent can eventually lead to industry-defining success, creating a legacy that transcends individual films.
