Dharmesh Darshan is an Indian film director and writer who is recognized for some of the blockbuster Bollywood films. He is famed as one of the youngest Bollywood directors who made a history at the box office at the age of 28 years with his film Raja Hindustani. He has metamorphosed the career of top heroines of Hindi film industry like Priyanka Chopra, Sushmita Sen, Kareena Kapoor, Shilpa Shetty, Karishma Kapoor and Juhi Chawla. Dharmesh Darshan is the life member of International Film and Television Club of Asian Academy of Film and Television. He has also appeared as a major key note speaker at different podiums of media associated with varied aspects of cinema and marketing.
Early Life of Dharmesh Darshan
Dharmesh Darshan was born on 16th May, 1972 to the Indian film producer Darshan Sabharwal in Mumbai in the state of Maharashtra. He completed his schooling from the Bombay Scottish School of Mahim. His brother Suneel Darshan also works as a film producer, director and writer.
Career of Dharmesh Darshan
Dharmesh Darshan made his cinematic debut as a director at the age of 24 in 1993 with the movie Lootere, which he also wrote the story for. The movie was produced by Suneel Darshan, his brother. It turned out to be a nationwide success at the box office. His second venture was Raja Hindustani in 1996 featuring Aamir Khan and Karishma Kapoor which marked another success of the filmmaker. The film not only became the biggest hit of that year but also marked to be one of the biggest blockbusters of the 90s.
Till the year 2012, Raja Hindustani has also been credited as the 4th biggest box office hit of 100 years of Indian cinema. Dharmesh Darshan`s works were much appreciated which also won him a film award. Subsequently he took a break of 4 years and returned in the year 2000 with two movies, written and directed by him. His first movie in 2000 was Mela featuring Aamir Khan and his brother Faisal Khan in lead roles. Although the film performed averagely at the box office, it garnered huge success in the hinterlands of India. However tremendous applauses were brought by his second release in the same year, Dhadkan, starring Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Shilpa Shetty. In addition to gathering critical acclamations for the film, Dharmesh Darshan also acquired a cult status amongst the finest romantic directors. With high appreciations, the film received nominations at various film awards in different categories. The movie also provided a boost to the career and image of Akshay Kumar as an actor.
Dharmesh Darshan however also encountered failure with his 2002 release "Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya" starring Karishma Kapoor and Abhishek Bachchan. The film was a remake of the 1981 film Ek Hi Bhool and became a complete failure at the box office. His next film in 2005, "Bewafaa" was met with average reviews in India but became tremendously successful overseas. His 2006 venture "Aap Ki Khatir" was also an average grosser.
Achievements of Dharmesh Darshan
In the year 1997 Dharmesh Darshan won Star Screen Award for Best Director for the film Raja Hindustani. Apart from this, he has also received nominations at various prestigious award functions.
Filmography of Dharmesh Darshan
Listed below are some of the works by Dharmesh Darshan both as a writer and director:
| Year | Film | Roles |
| 1993 | Lootere | Director/Writer |
| 1996 | Raja Hindustani | Director/Writer |
| 2000 | Mela | Director/Writer |
| 2000 | Dhadkan | Director/Writer |
| 2002 | Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya | Director/Writer |
| 2005 | Bewafaa | Director/Writer |
| 2006 | Aap Ki Khatir | Director |