# Atul Agnihotri (अतुल अग्निहोत्री)
**Atul Agnihotri** (अतुल अग्निहोत्री) is an Indian film actor, producer, and director who works in [Hindi cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/hindi-cinema) (Bollywood), known for his acting debut in [Mahesh Bhatt](https://www.edgepedia.org/mahesh-bhatt)'s *Sir* (1993) and for producing the [Salman Khan](https://www.edgepedia.org/salman-khan) films *Bodyguard* (2011) and *Bharat* (2019)[1](https://www.bollywoodmdb.com/atul-agnihotri-nm-142/biography) • [2](https://www.rashtrapress.com/entertainment/assistant-director-se-safal-nirmata-tak-atul-agnihotri-bollywood-pehchan).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Profession | Actor, producer, director, writer in Hindi cinema[3](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/atul-agnihotri/bio/3000256626/) |
| Birth | Reported as 1970 (Indian sources; Delhi) and as 1970 (Rotten Tomatoes; Bombay)[4](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/atul_agnihotri) • [5](https://www.abplive.com/entertainment/bollywood/atul-agnihotri-career-despite-being-a-failed-actor-how-is-atul-agnihotri-the-owner-of-wealth-and-fame-today-2394932) |
| Acting debut (adult) | *Sir* (1993), directed by Mahesh Bhatt, in the lead role of Karan[4](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/atul_agnihotri) • [6](https://hindi.filmibeat.com/celebs/atul-agnihotri/biography.html) |
| Directing | *Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa* (2004) and *Hello* (2008)[1](https://www.bollywoodmdb.com/atul-agnihotri-nm-142/biography) |
| Producing | *Bodyguard* (2011), *O Teri* (2014), *Bharat* (2019), *Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai* (2021), *Farrey* (2023)[7](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrity/atul-agnihotri/filmography/producer/) |
| Notable award | Bollywood Business Award for Most Successful Producer, 2012[3](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/atul-agnihotri/bio/3000256626/) |
| Family | Married to Alvira Khan Agnihotri, sister of Salman Khan; two children, Alizeh and Ayaan[1](https://www.bollywoodmdb.com/atul-agnihotri-nm-142/biography) |
## Early life and entry into film
Agnihotri was born in Delhi, according to Indian sources that give his birth date as either 1970 or 8 July 1970; Rotten Tomatoes lists 24 June 1970 and gives Bombay as his birthplace[4](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/atul_agnihotri) • [5](https://www.abplive.com/entertainment/bollywood/atul-agnihotri-career-despite-being-a-failed-actor-how-is-atul-agnihotri-the-owner-of-wealth-and-fame-today-2394932). His father, Rohit Agnihotri, was an actor who later turned to other business, and Atul lost him at a young age[5](https://www.abplive.com/entertainment/bollywood/atul-agnihotri-career-despite-being-a-failed-actor-how-is-atul-agnihotri-the-owner-of-wealth-and-fame-today-2394932). The actress [Rati Agnihotri](https://www.edgepedia.org/rati-agnihotri) is his cousin, and he lived at her place for about two years while trying to build a career in Hindi cinema[1](https://www.bollywoodmdb.com/atul-agnihotri-nm-142/biography) • [6](https://hindi.filmibeat.com/celebs/atul-agnihotri/biography.html).
Through a family connection he got a small part in [Basu Chatterjee](https://www.edgepedia.org/basu-chatterjee)'s film, playing a character named Anil, the brother of Rati Agnihotri's character[5](https://www.abplive.com/entertainment/bollywood/atul-agnihotri-career-despite-being-a-failed-actor-how-is-atul-agnihotri-the-owner-of-wealth-and-fame-today-2394932). He appeared as a child actor in the 1983 films *Pasand Apni Apni* and *Champak Lal Ki Shaadi*[1](https://www.bollywoodmdb.com/atul-agnihotri-nm-142/biography). Before acting, he worked as an assistant director alongside director Pankaj Parashar on several films, an opportunity that came through his school friend [Sanjay Gupta](https://www.edgepedia.org/sanjay-gupta)[2](https://www.rashtrapress.com/entertainment/assistant-director-se-safal-nirmata-tak-atul-agnihotri-bollywood-pehchan) • [5](https://www.abplive.com/entertainment/bollywood/atul-agnihotri-career-despite-being-a-failed-actor-how-is-atul-agnihotri-the-owner-of-wealth-and-fame-today-2394932).
## Acting career
**Breakthrough and 1990s roles.** Agnihotri's major screen presence came with Mahesh Bhatt's critically appreciated *Sir*, released in July 1993, in which he played the lead role of Karan[4](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/atul_agnihotri) • [7](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrity/atul-agnihotri/filmography/producer/). In 1994 he appeared in *Aatish: Feel the Fire* as [Inspector Avinash](https://www.edgepedia.org/inspector-avinash) 'Avi' and in *Krantiveer* as Atul, and he continued through the decade with *Naaraaz* (1994), *Veergati* (1995), *Gunehgar* (1995), *Bambai Ka Babu* (1996), *Yeshwant* (1997), *Jeevan Yudh* (1997), *Chachi 420* (1997), *Khote Sikkey* (1998), *Hote Hote Pyaar Ho Gaya* (1999), and *Jaani Dushman* (2002)[4](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/atul_agnihotri). In 2002 he appeared in *[Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam](https://www.edgepedia.org/hum-tumhare-hain-sanam)* in a marginal role[8](https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/indiafm/hum-tumhare-hain-sanam-reviews-t495.html). He also worked in a Gujarati and a Bengali film and on television after his Hindi film roles declined[9](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/atul-agnihotri-o-teri-salman-in-o-teri-salim-uncle-replaced-my-father-atul-agnihotri/articleshow/31841326.cms).
A recurring professional association was with actor [Nana Patekar](https://www.edgepedia.org/nana-patekar): Agnihotri worked with him in *Krantiveer* (1994), *Yeshwant* (1997), and, according to one account, *Kohram*, which Hindi entertainment reporting describes as his last film as an actor[10](https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity/cinema/atul-agnihotri-remembers-the-late-actor-working-with-nana-sir-was-an-experience-in-itself-101791461371236.html) • [11](https://www.aajtak.in/entertainment/story/atul-agnihotri-birthday-special-unknown-facts-and-personal-life-tmove-664189-2019-06-24). In a 2014 interview Agnihotri described his acting career as unguided; his father had died before his debut, he took roles mainly to pay his bills, and he later said he believed he could have had a better career with proper guidance[9](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/atul-agnihotri-o-teri-salman-in-o-teri-salim-uncle-replaced-my-father-atul-agnihotri/articleshow/31841326.cms).
## Move to directing and producing
**Directing.** Disappointed with his acting career, Agnihotri turned to direction with *Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa* (2004), starring Salman Khan, Bhumika Chawla, and [Preity Zinta](https://www.edgepedia.org/preity-zinta); he directed the film and wrote its story[1](https://www.bollywoodmdb.com/atul-agnihotri-nm-142/biography). His second directorial film, *Hello* (2008), adapted from [Chetan Bhagat](https://www.edgepedia.org/chetan-bhagat)'s novel *One Night @ the Call Center*, starred [Sharman Joshi](https://www.edgepedia.org/sharman-joshi), Sohail Khan, and Salman Khan; Agnihotri also produced it[1](https://www.bollywoodmdb.com/atul-agnihotri-nm-142/biography).
**Producing success.** His production of *Bodyguard* (2011), starring Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor, was a major box-office success, and in 2012 he received a Most Successful Producer award[1](https://www.bollywoodmdb.com/atul-agnihotri-nm-142/biography) • [3](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/atul-agnihotri/bio/3000256626/). He then produced *O Teri* (2014), which did not succeed commercially, and *Bharat* (2019), a Salman Khan film that he produced with commercial success; one report puts its earnings at about ₹1.973 billion (₹197.34 crore)[6](https://hindi.filmibeat.com/celebs/atul-agnihotri/biography.html) • [2](https://www.rashtrapress.com/entertainment/assistant-director-se-safal-nirmata-tak-atul-agnihotri-bollywood-pehchan). Later productions include *Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai* (2021)[12](https://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/atul-agnihotri/upcoming-movies.html) and *Farrey* (2023), which introduced his daughter [Alizeh Agnihotri](https://www.edgepedia.org/alizeh-agnihotri) and holds a 90 percent critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, his highest-rated credit on the site[7](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrity/atul-agnihotri/filmography/producer/) • [4](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/atul_agnihotri). He founded the banner Reel Life Productions, registered as Reel Life Production Private Limited with Atul Rohit Agnihotri and Alvira Atul Agnihotri as its directors[2](https://www.rashtrapress.com/entertainment/assistant-director-se-safal-nirmata-tak-atul-agnihotri-bollywood-pehchan) • [13](https://www.tofler.in/reel-life-production-private-limited/company/U74990MH2010PTC201885).
## Family
Agnihotri is married to Alvira Khan Agnihotri, daughter of the screenwriter [Salim Khan](https://www.edgepedia.org/salim-khan) and sister of Salman Khan and [Sohail Khan](https://www.edgepedia.org/sohail-khan), making him their brother-in-law; the two met on the set of a paint commercial where Alvira was assisting, and they married in 1996[1](https://www.bollywoodmdb.com/atul-agnihotri-nm-142/biography) • [5](https://www.abplive.com/entertainment/bollywood/atul-agnihotri-career-despite-being-a-failed-actor-how-is-atul-agnihotri-the-owner-of-wealth-and-fame-today-2394932). They have two children, Ayaan and Alizeh; Alizeh made her acting debut in *Farrey* (2023)[1](https://www.bollywoodmdb.com/atul-agnihotri-nm-142/biography) • [14](https://indianexpress.com/article/express-sunday-eye/salman-khan-made-me-promise-that-i-wont-overact-alizeh-agnihotri-9088518/).
## Recent activity
As of mid-2026 reporting, Agnihotri was redeveloping the Palimala Cooperative Housing Society in Bandra West through his company Shivasaai Homemaker Infra LLP, with stamp duty of ₹10.8 million (₹1.08 crore) paid in December 2025[2](https://www.rashtrapress.com/entertainment/assistant-director-se-safal-nirmata-tak-atul-agnihotri-bollywood-pehchan). Reports also state that he was preparing to begin filming a mega-budget superhero film directed by Raj and DK in October to November 2026, featuring Salman Khan as a retired superhero[2](https://www.rashtrapress.com/entertainment/assistant-director-se-safal-nirmata-tak-atul-agnihotri-bollywood-pehchan).
## References
1. [Atul Agnihotri – Full Biography & Life Story, BollywoodMDB](https://www.bollywoodmdb.com/atul-agnihotri-nm-142/biography)
2. [अतुल अग्निहोत्री: सहायक निर्देशक से 'बॉडीगार्ड' और 'भारत' के निर्माता तक का सफर, राष्ट्र प्रेस](https://www.rashtrapress.com/entertainment/assistant-director-se-safal-nirmata-tak-atul-agnihotri-bollywood-pehchan)
3. [Atul Agnihotri Biography, Celebrity Facts and Awards, TV Guide](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/atul-agnihotri/bio/3000256626/)
4. [Atul Agnihotri Movies List, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/atul_agnihotri)
5. [Atul Agnihotri Career, ABP Live (Hindi)](https://www.abplive.com/entertainment/bollywood/atul-agnihotri-career-despite-being-a-failed-actor-how-is-atul-agnihotri-the-owner-of-wealth-and-fame-today-2394932)
6. [अतुल अग्निहोत्री जीवनी, Filmibeat Hindi](https://hindi.filmibeat.com/celebs/atul-agnihotri/biography.html)
7. [Atul Agnihotri Filmography (Producer), Bollywood Hungama](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrity/atul-agnihotri/filmography/producer/)
8. [Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam Reviews, IndiaFM archive](https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/indiafm/hum-tumhare-hain-sanam-reviews-t495.html)
9. [Salim uncle replaced my father: Atul Agnihotri, Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/atul-agnihotri-o-teri-salman-in-o-teri-salim-uncle-replaced-my-father-atul-agnihotri/articleshow/31841326.cms)
10. [Atul Agnihotri remembers Nana Patekar, Hindustan Times](https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity/cinema/atul-agnihotri-remembers-the-late-actor-working-with-nana-sir-was-an-experience-in-itself-101791461371236.html)
11. [अतुल अग्निहोत्री birthday special, AajTak (Hindi)](https://www.aajtak.in/entertainment/story/atul-agnihotri-birthday-special-unknown-facts-and-personal-life-tmove-664189-2019-06-24)
12. [Atul Agnihotri Upcoming Movies, Filmibeat](https://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/atul-agnihotri/upcoming-movies.html)
13. [Reel Life Production Private Limited company details, Tofler](https://www.tofler.in/reel-life-production-private-limited/company/U74990MH2010PTC201885)
14. [Salman Khan made me promise that I won't overact: Alizeh Agnihotri, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/express-sunday-eye/salman-khan-made-me-promise-that-i-wont-overact-alizeh-agnihotri-9088518/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Film people and crafts › Film actors and performers › Indian and South Asian film actors by industry and language › Hindi film actors, 1990s–2000s › Surnames symbols to J*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 18, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 18, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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