Mumbai: As filmmaker Aditya Dhar enjoys a historic year with Dhurandhar rewriting box office records, actor Yami Gautam has opened up about how their relationship began, tracing it back to the sets of Uri: The Surgical Strike and the quiet moments that eventually led them to marriage.

A landmark year for Aditya Dhar

Aditya Dhar has firmly established himself as one of the most successful filmmakers of 2025. His latest directorial, Dhurandhar, has crossed an extraordinary ₹900 crore worldwide within just 19 days of its release, placing it among the highest-grossing Indian films in recent years. The film’s success has not only cemented Dhar’s commercial standing but has also reinforced his reputation as a director capable of delivering large-scale cinematic spectacles.

Before Dhurandhar, however, Dhar’s breakthrough came with Uri: The Surgical Strike in 2019. The patriotic action drama became a massive hit and is widely regarded as the project that transformed his career. It was also during this film that Dhar met Yami Gautam, who played a pivotal role in Uri.

Meeting on the sets of Uri

In a recent interaction with Humans of Bombay, Yami Gautam revisited her first impressions of Aditya Dhar and the circumstances under which they grew closer. She explained that while they met during the shoot of Uri, their bond truly developed later, during the promotional phase of the film.

Yami noted that promotions involved a small group of actors answering questions together, which created space for conversations and shared perspectives. “It was during the promotion of the film when we ‘talked-talked’,” she said, recalling how listening to each other’s answers revealed a similarity in thought and temperament. According to her, that shared wavelength laid the foundation for their friendship and eventual relationship.

Mutual respect and shared values

Describing their personalities, Yami said she and Aditya are strikingly similar when it comes to work and life. Both, she noted, are deeply committed to their professions but prefer a quiet, family-oriented life away from constant socialising. This shared outlook helped them connect naturally, without the pressure of grand gestures or dramatic declarations.

She also spoke highly of Dhar’s conduct as a filmmaker. “I have to say this not just as a wife but as an artiste who has worked with him, he is one of the most respected directors,” she remarked. Yami emphasised that Dhar commands respect on set through calm authority rather than demands, a quality she believes has earned him admiration across film crews.

“We just knew we wanted to get married”

One of the most striking aspects of Yami and Aditya’s story is the simplicity with which they approached their relationship. Yami revealed that there was no formal proposal or cinematic moment leading up to their wedding. “There was no ‘I am going to propose to you’ kind of moment,” she said, adding that they simply knew they wanted to get married.

Their families, she said, were equally aligned and supportive of the decision. The couple tied the knot in 2021 in an intimate ceremony held in the hills, away from the glare of publicity. The wedding took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Yami believes they would have chosen the same understated approach regardless of circumstances.

A wedding rooted in tradition

Yami described her wedding as deeply personal and rooted in tradition. She said she wanted the ceremony to focus on rituals rather than spectacle. Emphasising her love for Indian culture and Hindu traditions, she shared that wearing her mother’s saree was always part of her vision for the big day.

She also revealed that she did her own makeup and hair, wanting to look exactly like her mother did at her wedding. “There is nothing I would change about that moment,” Yami said, reflecting on the ceremony with evident emotion.

Early signs of kindness

Recounting her first instinct about Aditya Dhar, Yami said she immediately felt he was “a very nice man.” She noted that her impression was reinforced by comments from people around her on the Uri set, including makeup artists and hair stylists.

She shared a particular incident that stood out to her. During the shoot, Dhar noticed a makeup artist sitting on the floor and eating her lunch. Without hesitation, he offered her his chair. “No one even thinks of something like this,” Yami said, highlighting his empathy and consideration for others.

Dhurandhar and what lies ahead

As Dhurandhar continues its remarkable run, Yami also spoke about the film’s impact and longevity. The project, co-produced under Dhar’s banner B62 Studios, holds special significance for her. She expressed confidence that the film would not just define 2025 but also leave a lasting mark on Indian cinema in the years to come.

According to industry reports, Dhurandhar is scheduled to premiere on OTT platforms in January 2026, expanding its reach to a global audience. Meanwhile, the sequel to Dhar’s spy thriller is reportedly slated for release on March 19, 2026, adding to the anticipation surrounding his future projects.

Conclusion

From a chance meeting on a film set to building a life together rooted in shared values, Yami Gautam and Aditya Dhar’s story reflects a quiet, grounded partnership amid the glitz of the film industry. As Dhar celebrates unprecedented professional success with Dhurandhar, Yami’s reflections offer a glimpse into the personal journey that has unfolded alongside his rise—marked not by spectacle, but by mutual respect, simplicity and enduring affection.