Gitikka Ganju Dhar on Dhurandhar, Bollywood co-stars and her love for farsaan: ‘Ranveer is well-behaved; his mother has done a great job’

• What happened: Gitikka Ganju Dhar, who plays Shabnam Jamali in Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar, spoke about her career shift, food indulgences and experience working with major Bollywood names.
• Why it matters now: Dhurandhar has marked a significant career leap for Gitikka, giving her national visibility after decades as a host, speaker and performer.
• What changes for people: Her journey highlights how multi-hyphenate careers are becoming viable in Indian entertainment, inspiring artists who don’t follow traditional acting routes.
• Who is affected: Fans of Bollywood, casting directors and young performers watching how diverse talent enters mainstream cinema.

Dhurandhar brings a “career leap” for Gitikka Ganju Dhar

The release of Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar has brought a wave of momentum for Gitikka Ganju Dhar, who essays the role of Shabnam Jamali. The actor calls the experience a professional inflection point, sharing that she is “totally enjoying and relishing the Dhurandhar storm.”

Speaking to The Cliff News, Gitikka described the last few months as transformative, noting that the film has opened doors she hadn’t imagined despite spending three decades in the media and entertainment space.

From television anchor to film actor, a 30-year creative journey

Gitikka began her career as a television anchor, transitioned into live event hosting and writing, and eventually found her way to acting. She says that each medium allowed her to express different facets of creativity, revealing:

“It has been 30 years of expressing other people’s creative vision, woven with the threads of my energy and ideology. That has kept me alive creatively.”

She credits the performing arts for giving her clarity away from “the madding crowd,” adding that true artistic expression often feels like entering a different realm altogether.

Working with big names and her impressions of Bollywood culture

The actor shared that working with Ranveer Singh and other big names in Dhurandhar was both energising and reaffirming. She revealed that Ranveer Singh is “well-behaved” on set, adding that “his mother has done a great job.”

Industry colleagues describe Gitikka as “disciplined, prepared and highly collaborative”, traits that have earned her credibility across hosting, cultural events and now cinema.

Navigating an unpredictable industry

Gitikka acknowledged the uncertainty of the entertainment industry, especially for late-career entrants shifting into acting. Yet she views unpredictability as part of the thrill, noting that the evolving landscape now rewards versatility more than ever.

Experts in talent management say that multi-skilled performers like her are increasingly visible because filmmaking has become more story-driven, creating room for diverse personalities instead of only matinee-style stars.

Food, farsaan and small indulgences

Away from set life, Gitikka admits she struggles to resist fried papads and farsaan, calling them her favourite indulgences. Colleagues say she balances her disciplined work ethic with a relatable love for comfort snacks, making her a favorite on long shoots.

The career ahead

With Dhurandhar bringing her into the cinematic mainstream, casting directors believe Gitikka may now gain opportunities across both film and streaming, where strong character roles for mature performers are expanding rapidly.