Who is Dhurandhar actress Gitikka Ganju Dhar? She studied at one of India’s top universities and hosted many TV shows. Her education and career

Aditya Dhar's directorial venture Dhurandhar is currently making waves at the box office. Amid major releases, the film is going strong and has crossed the Rs 450 crore mark in India. Featuring Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, Sara Arjun and Sanjay Dutt in key roles, the film arrived in theatres on December 5. Recently, actress Gitikka Ganju Dhar, who plays a pivotal role in Dhurandhar, has been making rounds on the internet after opening up about why she instantly said yes to Aditya Dhar’s film.

While Dhurandhar continues its successful theatrical run, curiosity around Gitikka Ganju Dhar has grown steadily. Many viewers are keen to know more about the actor, who brings a strong screen presence to the film.

Who is Gitikka Ganju Dhar?

Gitikka Ganju Dhar hails from Kashmir and spent much of her childhood moving across the country due to her schooling in army institutions. After finishing school, she moved to Delhi, where she initially studied business management before discovering her interest in media and storytelling.



Her academic journey later led her to Jamia Millia University, ranked as India’s one of the top universities (according to its official website), where she pursued a Master’s degree in Mass Communication. During her time at the university, Gitikka frequently visited the institute’s large studios and became deeply interested in the technical side of filmmaking. She has previously shared in a 2017 interview with eShe, that her original ambition was to work behind the camera as a cameraperson rather than in front of it.

Gitikka’s career took an unexpected turn in 2000 when she was spotted by a television crew and offered her first assignment as a TV anchor for a Bollywood music show. Curious to explore the opportunity, she accepted the offer and soon realised she was comfortable hosting on screen. That single decision opened the door to a long and successful anchoring career.

Over the years, Gitikka went on to host more than two dozen television shows, including popular programmes such as Chitrahaar, Meri Saheli, Zaike Ka Safar and Executive Class. Alongside television, she became a familiar face at large-scale live events, hosting over 3,000 shows across India and internationally. By 2005, she was reportedly handling nearly 20 high-profile TV and stage assignments every month.

In 2007, Gitikka chose to step away from her demanding career and took a personal break. She got married to a Kashmiri banker in 2009 and welcomed her daughter a year later.

By 2012, Gitikka was ready to return to work. Despite the challenges women often face after career breaks, she successfully rebuilt her professional life and was also honoured with the Bharat Nirman Award. In recent years, she gradually transitioned into acting, appearing in projects such as Tanaav Season 2, Aarya Season 2 and Laal Singh Chaddha.

Gitikka opens up about her role in Dhurandhar

In Dhurandhar, Gitikka plays Shabnam, the wife of a Pakistani politician, a role that required intensity and authority. Speaking to Mid-Day, she revealed that the film’s title and Aditya Dhar’s name were enough for her to immediately agree to the project. She also praised the director’s clarity, saying he explains scenes thoroughly and expects actors to deliver with precision and energy.

As Dhurandhar now heads toward the Rs 500 crore club over the weekend, now the fans are waiting for its part 2 which will clash with Yash's Toxic in 2026.