MUMBAI — In a candid session on the podcast ‘In-Controversial with Pooja Chaudhary’, actor Aditya Uppal opened up about the grueling eight-year journey that led to his breakout performance as ASP Umar Haider in the film Dhurandhar.
Starting his roots in theater, Uppal shared the emotional and professional highs and lows of a career built on persistence. Faced with a string of failed auditions and the weight of financial responsibilities, he initially pivoted to the world of advertising. However, he emphasized that his passion for acting remained the driving force behind his return to the big screen.
Working with the Titans
Uppal described the experience of sharing the screen with industry veterans as both humbling and transformative:
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Sanjay Dutt: Working alongside the veteran actor was described by Uppal as a “dream-like” experience.
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Ranveer Singh: Uppal noted that Singh’s sheer intensity and unwavering dedication pushed him to elevate his own performance constantly.
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Director Aditya Dhar: The actor praised Dhar’s set as “professionally calm and disciplined,” an environment where every artist could focus solely on their craft.
Bringing ASP Umar Haider to Life
To ensure the character of ASP Umar Haider felt authentic, Uppal underwent rigorous preparation. His process included:
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Specialized weapons training to handle firearms with professional ease.
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Deep-dive character study to master the specific body language required for a high-ranking officer.
Despite the debates surrounding Dhurandhar, Uppal remains steadfast in his belief in the project. He asserted that the film was made with “true intentions” and that the overwhelming love from the audience serves as the ultimate validation of their hard work.
For Uppal, the greatest reward isn’t the fame, but a personal milestone: the look of pride in his family’s eyes following the film’s release.
