Updated On: 11 January, 2026 08:13 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBR
Veteran filmmaker Priyadarshan recalls mentoring ‘Dhurandhar’ helmer Aditya Dhar from his assistant direction and dialogue writing days to blockbuster glory. He shared some intriguing insights

Aditya Dhar and Priyadarshan
In an industry where relationships can turn seasonal, filmmaker Priyadarshan and Dhurandhar director Aditya Dhar have kept their bond steady for over 25 years. The veteran filmmaker, who worked with Dhar long before the latter’s glory days, gets nostalgic about their journey — and doesn’t hide how “proud” he feels about his former student.
“Do you know who wrote the dialogues for the Ajay Devgn and Akshaye Khanna-starrer Aakrosh (2010)? It was Aditya. He also wrote the dialogues for Ajay, Anil Kapoor, and Kangana Ranaut-starrer Tezz (2012),” shares Priyadarshan, who worked with Dhar for three years. “He is one of my best disciples and assistants I’ve ever had. Aditya is one of my loyal boys; he takes my blessings for everything,” smiles the senior director, adding that he recently watched the Ranveer Singh and Khanna-starrer, and “loved it.”