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Saket Chaudhary
Saket Chaudhary
Saket Chaudhary
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Saket Chaudhary is an Indian screenwriter and director mostly known for 2017 sleeper hit Hindi Medium. He also co-wrote Santosh Sivan's Asoka and is the director of Pyaar Ke Side Effects, released in September 2006.[1]

Key Information

Early life and career

[edit]

Chaudhary originally wanted to be an Engineer, but changed his focus to Media & Communications when he attended the Department of Media & Communication Studies (DMCS), Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU). After graduation, he wrote various television series and worked as assistant director to Aziz Mirza on Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani (2000). Santosh Sivan was the Cinematographer and offered Chaudhary a chance to help him write the screenplay for his upcoming film Asoka.[citation needed]

Chaudhary ventured into direction himself after seeing Farhan Akhtar's Dil Chahta Hai (2001). The film inspired him to pen the screenplay for his directorial debut Pyaar Ke Side Effects (2006).[2] Chaudhary followed it with a sequel, Shaadi Ke Side Effects (2014).[3] He next directed Hindi Medium with Irrfan Khan in the lead role.[4] He is working on an untitled project produced by Sajid Nadiadwala with Alia Bhatt in the main lead.[5]

Filmography

[edit]

Director

[edit]
Year Title Notes
2000 Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani Assistant director
2006 Ghoom
2006 Pyaar Ke Side Effects
2014 Shaadi Ke Side Effects
2017 Hindi Medium[6] Nominated - Filmfare Award for Best Director

Writer

[edit]
Year Title Notes
2001 Asoka Co-writer
2006 Pyaar Ke Side Effects
2014 Shaadi Ke Side Effects

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Saket Chaudhary

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Saket Chaudhary is an Indian screenwriter and film director, best known for helming the critically acclaimed comedy-drama (2017), which starred and and explored themes of education and class disparity in urban . Born around 1975 in to a Punjabi middle-class family—his father was a retired pharmaceutical marketer—Chaudhary initially pursued a in Physics before earning a in from Pune University. At age 21, he moved to , where he began his career as an assistant director in an advertising production house and later served as head writer for the television show Movers & Shakers. He assisted on Aziz Mirza's (2000) before gaining prominence as co-writer on Santosh Sivan's historical epic Asoka (2001), marking his entry into feature films. Chaudhary made his directorial debut with the romantic comedy (2006), which he also co-wrote, followed by its sequel (2014) starring and . His film earned widespread praise for its heartfelt storytelling and social commentary, securing him nominations including the in 2018, as well as wins such as the IIFA Award for Best Director and the Stardust Award for Best Director. Later works include the anthology (2021), and he has been an advocate for greater recognition and fair pay for screenwriters, serving on the executive council of the Film Writers Association. As of 2025, Chaudhary is set to direct the supernatural thriller Nagin, starring and produced by , with production slated to begin soon.

Early life and education

Childhood in New Delhi

Saket Chaudhary was born in 1975 in , , to a Punjabi middle-class family; his father worked as a pharmaceutical marketer and is now retired. He attended Springdales School in , where traditional values shaped daily life and future expectations. During his childhood and school years in , Chaudhary displayed an early passion for storytelling, frequently writing scripts and staging plays with peers. This creative outlet contrasted with his family's strong emphasis on pursuing a stable profession, such as , which aligned with common middle-class aspirations for financial security and societal respect. Bollywood cinema served as a significant influence, captivating him with its narratives and fostering his imaginative tendencies amid the urban environment of . As a , he expressed a wish that his parents had named him Vijay, inspired by Amitabh Bachchan's iconic film character. These formative experiences in laid the groundwork for his later divergence toward creative fields, despite initial pressures toward conventional paths.

Academic pursuits and shift to media

Saket Chaudhary initially aspired to pursue studies, a common path for individuals from middle-class backgrounds in during the . However, he enrolled in a (BSc) program in Physics at a university in , completing two years of the course before realizing it did not align with his interests. Seeking a more fulfilling direction, Chaudhary shifted his focus to media and enrolled in a Master's program in at (formerly University of Pune), specifically through its Educational Media Research Centre (EMRC). This change was influenced by his parents' suggestion to explore fields like writing, given his early involvement in and school plays. During his time at the university, Chaudhary's interest in and directing was ignited by coursework and campus activities, including exposure to international cinema and various aspects of , which broadened his perspective. These experiences transformed his career aspirations, emphasizing creative over technical sciences. Upon graduating with his around age 21, Chaudhary was motivated by this passion to relocate to , the hub of India's film industry, to pursue opportunities in media and cinema.

Career

Entry into filmmaking as assistant and writer

After completing his master's degree in mass communications from Pune University, Saket Chaudhary relocated to to embark on a career in the film industry, driven by his growing interest in over an initial pursuit of . Chaudhary's entry into feature films came as an assistant director on Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani (2000), a satirical comedy directed by and starring and , where he absorbed essential lessons in production logistics, scheduling, and on-set coordination despite the project's modest budget and commercial underperformance. This role marked his first hands-on exposure to Bollywood's operational demands, as he joined a team of six assistants through personal outreach to Mirza, highlighting the informal networking required for newcomers. Building on this experience, Chaudhary shifted toward writing and contributed to the screenplay of the epic historical drama Asoka (2001), co-developed with cinematographer-director , which chronicled the life of Emperor and featured in the lead role alongside elaborate battle sequences and period reconstruction. His involvement began with script consultations during , evolving into full co-authorship that emphasized depth and visual , though the film's ambitious scale presented logistical hurdles in execution. The release of Dil Chahta Hai (2001), directed by Farhan Akhtar, profoundly influenced Chaudhary during this formative phase, inspiring him to pivot toward crafting modern romantic narratives that captured urban youth dynamics and emotional authenticity in his future projects. Navigating Bollywood as a newcomer proved arduous for Chaudhary, with the industry's entrenched hierarchies and reliance on personal connections posing significant barriers; he sustained himself through television writing gigs while persistently seeking film opportunities, underscoring the resilience needed to transition from support roles to creative leadership.

Directorial debut and romantic comedies

Saket Chaudhary made his directorial debut with the 2006 TV movie Ghoom, a that spoofed the popular Dhoom. The short-format project, produced by Runaway Productions, featured actors like and and marked Chaudhary's initial foray into directing humorous takes on contemporary Bollywood tropes. Though lesser-known and not released theatrically, Ghoom showcased his early interest in light-hearted , receiving a modest rating of 7.2/10 from limited viewers. Chaudhary achieved his breakthrough in feature films with (2006), a he also wrote, starring as a commitment-phobic DJ and as his free-spirited girlfriend. The film explores themes of urban love and modern relationships in , blending humor from everyday mishaps with insights into commitment phobia, all presented in a breezy, non-slapstick style. It received mixed critical reviews but praise for its relatable portrayal of young urban couples, earning a 6.8/10 on and performing as a modest box-office success with approximately ₹8.32 nett in . In , Chaudhary directed , a spiritual to that he co-wrote, focusing on the evolving dynamics of and parenthood with leads and as a couple navigating work-life conflicts and family pressures. The narrative humorously delves into the "side effects" of long-term relationships, such as balancing careers and child-rearing in an urban setting, maintaining the franchise's witty tone on relational absurdities. Critically mixed but appreciated for its familiar scenarios, the film grossed around ₹37.36 nett in , qualifying as an average performer at the with strong initial weekend collections of ₹21.17 . Chaudhary further honed his skills in shorter formats by directing the 2016 episode "Ms. Kasauli" of the anthology series Yeh Hai Aashiqui, which aired on Star Plus and explored romantic narratives in a concise, episodic structure. This television work allowed him to experiment with humor and emotional depth in urban love stories, reinforcing his affinity for relatable relationship comedies before returning to features.

Social issue films and recent projects

Chaudhary's directorial work shifted toward with Hindi Medium (2017), a comedy-drama that examines inequality and class divides in contemporary . The film centers on Raj Batra (), a wealthy shop owner from Delhi's , and his wife Mita (), who navigate bureaucratic and social hurdles to secure admission for their daughter in an elite English-medium school, underscoring the biases against Hindi-medium and the aspirations of middle-class families. Produced by under and under T-Series, it became a , earning approximately ₹322 worldwide on a ₹23 budget, and received a nomination for Best Director. In 2021, Chaudhary contributed to the anthology film , directing the third segment titled "," which delves into unconventional relationships amid modern urban life. Starring and Kunal Kapoor, the story portrays a couple grappling with and emotional disconnection in a bustling city, using sparse dialogue and visual storytelling to explore themes of longing and societal expectations around marriage. The release, co-directed with and , marked Chaudhary's foray into shorter-form narratives addressing relational complexities beyond traditional romance. Chaudhary's recent projects reflect a broadening of genres while retaining social depth. Additionally, production on Nagin, a horror-thriller remake produced by , is slated to begin in 2025, with Chaudhary at the helm, signaling his entry into narratives. In 2023, he announced an of Rob Sinclair's novel Sleeper 13 into a streaming series under his production banner Productions, emphasizing espionage and psychological tension, which remains in development as of 2025. These endeavors, including ongoing collaborations with producers like , highlight Chaudhary's evolution toward diverse, issue-driven storytelling across film and digital platforms.

Filmography

As director

Saket Chaudhary made his directorial debut with the parody comedy TV movie Ghoom in 2006, a spoof of the action thriller . Later that year, he directed the , starring and . In 2016, Chaudhary directed the episode "Ms. " of the anthology television series . His next feature film was the 2014 , a spiritual sequel to , featuring and . Chaudhary directed the 2017 comedy-drama , starring and , which explored themes of education and class divide. In 2021, he directed the third segment in the anthology film . Upcoming projects include the supernatural thriller Nagin, produced by , announced for a 2027 release and currently in . Chaudhary was attached to direct an untitled social drama starring , announced in 2020 and produced by , but no further updates as of 2025. Additionally, he will direct the Indian adaptation of Rob Sinclair's thriller novel Sleeper 13 as a for Turning Point Productions.

As writer

Saket Chaudhary's screenwriting credits include his debut collaboration on the 2001 epic historical drama , where he co-wrote the with director . The film's narrative drew from the life of the ancient Indian emperor , with dialogues penned by . Chaudhary's subsequent writing work appeared in (2006), a he also directed, for which he received primary screenplay credit alongside contributions from Pratibha Acharya and . He continued with (2014), serving as writer on the story and screenplay in collaboration with Zeenat Lakhani and Arshad Syed, while also helming the direction. Chaudhary's writing contributions extended to (2017), where he co-developed the story and screenplay with Zeenat Lakhani, again taking on directorial duties.

Awards and nominations

Filmfare Awards

Saket Chaudhary received a nomination for the at the in 2018 for his work on (2017), where he was recognized for his direction of the film's social satire on class divides and the education system in . The nomination highlighted Chaudhary's ability to blend humor with poignant commentary on societal issues, contributing to the film's overall impact. Despite the acclaim, Chaudhary did not win the Best Director award, which went to Ashwini Iyer Tiwari for . The film's critical reception, including an 83% approval rating on based on international reviews, underscored the nomination by praising its sharp and performances, though some noted its predictable elements. itself won the , further affirming its strong reception. As of November 2025, Chaudhary has no other nominations in directing, writing, or any other categories.

Other honors

Chaudhary's work as co-writer on the 2001 historical epic Asoka, directed by , garnered positive critical reception at international film festivals, with screenings at the and the , though it did not receive formal awards. For his direction of the 2017 sleeper hit , Chaudhary won the Best Director award at the 19th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards. The film also earned him a nomination for Best Director at the Zee Cine Awards 2018, among its six total nominations at the ceremony.

References

  1. https://in.bookmyshow.com/person/saket-chaudhary/1984
  2. https://www.platform-mag.com/film/saket-chaudhary.html
  3. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/saket-chaudhary-on-script-shah-rukh-khan-and-farhan-aktar/articleshow/30796221.cms
  4. https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/saket-chaudhary/bio/3030445507/
  5. https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-awards-2018/nominations/best-director/saket-chaudhary
  6. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1062080/
  7. https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/saket-chaudhary-helm-nikhil-dwivedis-nagin-producer-shares-update-film/
  8. https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/nagin-is-not-shelved-afterall-nikhil-dwivedi-shares-major-update-sans-names-of-shraddha-kapoor-vishal-furia-9779648/
  9. https://yourstory.com/2009/04/saket-chaudhary-writer-director
  10. https://nettv4u.com/celebrity/hindi/director/saket-chaudhary
  11. https://m.rediff.com/movies/2007/jun/21sd4.htm
  12. https://m.rediff.com/movies/2006/sep/12sld2.htm
  13. https://variety.com/2001/film/reviews/asoka-1200469821/
  14. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4311426/
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  16. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0480572/
  17. https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=368
  18. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3302962/
  19. https://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/film-review-shaadi-ke-side-effects-1201123000/
  20. https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/shaadi-ke-side-effects/box-office/
  21. https://www.koimoi.com/box-office/shaadi-ke-side-effects-1st-saturday-box-office-collections/
  22. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8636108/
  23. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4068208/fullcredits/
  24. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15250998/
  25. https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/-hindi-medium-maker-saket-chaudhary-to-helm-adaptation-of-sleeper-13--news-270289
  26. https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/alia-bhatt-in-hindi-medium-director-saket-chaudhary-s-next-report-1650255-2020-02-26
  27. https://variety.com/2023/global/asia/rob-sinclair-sleeper-13-series-india-1235553263/
  28. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0249371/
  29. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5764096/
  30. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1062080/awards/
  31. https://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/hindi-medium-movie-review-irrfan-saba-qamar-s-film-will-make-you-laugh-cry-and-angry/story-oBbBMOIqLfjt48XL7sIW3K.html
  32. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hindi_medium
  33. https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/bollywood/63rd-jio-filmfare-awards-best-film-winner
  34. https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/asoka/critic-review/asoka-movie-review/
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