# Mohit Suri (मोहित सूरी)
**Mohit Suri** (मोहित सूरी) is an Indian film director and producer who works in [Hindi cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/hindi-cinema), known for romantic dramas and dark thrillers with prominent music, including *Aashiqui 2* (2013), *Ek Villain* (2014), and the 2025 blockbuster *Saiyaara*.[1](https://hindi.filmibeat.com/celebs/mohit-suri/biography.html) Born in 1981 in Mumbai, he belongs to the Bhatt family of filmmakers: director [Mahesh Bhatt](https://www.edgepedia.org/mahesh-bhatt) is his uncle, and actors [Emraan Hashmi](https://www.edgepedia.org/emraan-hashmi), Pooja Bhatt, and Alia Bhatt are his cousins.[2](https://www.abplive.com/entertainment/bollywood/who-is-mohit-suri-the-director-behind-big-hits-and-fresh-faces-2982351)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1981, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India[1](https://hindi.filmibeat.com/celebs/mohit-suri/biography.html) |
| Professions | Director, producer, story writer[1](https://hindi.filmibeat.com/celebs/mohit-suri/biography.html) |
| Directorial debut | *Zeher* (25 March 2005), a box-office hit[2](https://www.abplive.com/entertainment/bollywood/who-is-mohit-suri-the-director-behind-big-hits-and-fresh-faces-2982351) |
| Breakthrough | *Aashiqui 2* (2013) and *Ek Villain* (2014), both 100-crore earners[1](https://hindi.filmibeat.com/celebs/mohit-suri/biography.html) |
| Biggest success | *Saiyaara* (18 July 2025), over Rs 1 billion (Rs 100 crore) in its first four days and described as the highest-grossing romance film in the history of Indian cinema[3](https://www.jagran.com/entertainment/bollywood-saiyaara-director-mohit-suri-pure-jam-of-love-story-movies-saga-with-these-12-romantic-films-23991275.html) • [4](https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity/cinema/mohit-suri-on-wrapping-up-2025-with-saiyaara-when-i-started-few-people-could-believe-a-romance-could-get-such-numbers-101767197880916.html) |
| Family | Married actress Udita Goswami in 2013; two children, Devi and Karma[5](https://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/mohit-suri.html) |
| Signature | Music-driven films; he has said he will not shoot a single day until all his songs are ready[6](https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/mohit-suri-says-music-is-screenplay-for-him-saiyaara-aashiqui-2-awarapan-bollywood-interview-101751194554093.html) |
## Early life and start in film
Suri was born in Mumbai in 1981. His mother was an air hostess and the younger sister of directors Mahesh Bhatt and [Mukesh Bhatt](https://www.edgepedia.org/mukesh-bhatt); she died when he was eight years old.[1](https://hindi.filmibeat.com/celebs/mohit-suri/biography.html) • [7](https://www.imdb.com/hi/name/nm1887138/) He entered the industry not as an actor but through direction, beginning as an office assistant at the music label T-Series and working as an assistant director on films such as *Awara Paagal Deewana* (2002) and *Footpath* (2003).[8](https://thestardiary.in/mohit-suri-biography/) • [7](https://www.imdb.com/hi/name/nm1887138/)
## Directing career
**First films.** Suri's debut as director was *Zeher* (2005), starring Emraan Hashmi, Udita Goswami, and [Shamita Shetty](https://www.edgepedia.org/shamita-shetty), which proved a box-office hit.[2](https://www.abplive.com/entertainment/bollywood/who-is-mohit-suri-the-director-behind-big-hits-and-fresh-faces-2982351) He followed it with *Kalyug* (2005), *Woh Lamhe* (2006), and *Awarapan* (2007), all of which earned well, and then *[Raaz](https://www.edgepedia.org/raaz-film-series) – The Mystery Continues* (2009).[1](https://hindi.filmibeat.com/celebs/mohit-suri/biography.html) • [9](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrity/mohit-suri/filmography/) *Crook: It's Good To Be Bad* (2010), a story of Indian students facing racism in Australia, underperformed commercially, though critics praised its direction.[1](https://hindi.filmibeat.com/celebs/mohit-suri/biography.html)
**Breakthrough.** *Murder 2* (2011) preceded *Aashiqui 2* (2013), a romantic musical drama with [Aditya Roy Kapur](https://www.edgepedia.org/aditya-roy-kapur) and [Shraddha Kapoor](https://www.edgepedia.org/shraddha-kapoor) that broke box-office records and entered the 100-crore club.[9](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrity/mohit-suri/filmography/) • [1](https://hindi.filmibeat.com/celebs/mohit-suri/biography.html) *Ek Villain* (2014), a psychological thriller, repeated the commercial success.[1](https://hindi.filmibeat.com/celebs/mohit-suri/biography.html) Later films include *Hamari Adhuri Kahani* (2015), *Half Girlfriend* (2017), the dark thriller *[Malang](https://www.edgepedia.org/malang-film)* (2020), and *Ek Villain Returns* (2022).[9](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrity/mohit-suri/filmography/)
**Saiyaara and the 2025 peak.** *Saiyaara*, released on 18 July 2025 by [Yash Raj Films](https://www.edgepedia.org/yash-raj-films), launched newcomers [Ahaan Panday](https://www.edgepedia.org/ahaan-panday) and [Aneet Padda](https://www.edgepedia.org/aneet-padda) in a musical romance about a budding singer and a lyricist.[3](https://www.jagran.com/entertainment/bollywood-saiyaara-director-mohit-suri-pure-jam-of-love-story-movies-saga-with-these-12-romantic-films-23991275.html) • [10](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/saiyaara) With limited promotion and no established stars, it grossed more than Rs 1 billion (Rs 100 crore) within four days of release and became one of the most successful films of 2025.[3](https://www.jagran.com/entertainment/bollywood-saiyaara-director-mohit-suri-pure-jam-of-love-story-movies-saga-with-these-12-romantic-films-23991275.html) Hindustan Times described it as the highest-grossing romance film in the history of Indian cinema, and Suri said the numbers gave him validation, since when he started few people believed a romance could earn at that scale.[4](https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity/cinema/mohit-suri-on-wrapping-up-2025-with-saiyaara-when-i-started-few-people-could-believe-a-romance-could-get-such-numbers-101767197880916.html) Critics were divided: Rotten Tomatoes recorded a 63 percent Tomatometer score from 19 reviews against a 90 percent audience Popcornmeter score, with reviewers praising the music and the debutants' chemistry while criticizing familiar plotting.[10](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/saiyaara)
## Music and working method
Music is central to Suri's filmmaking. He has said he has never made a film without music, whether a thriller like *Murder 2*, a drama like *Aashiqui 2*, or an action film like *Awarapan*, and that he uses songs as a screenplay rather than as garnish; he will not shoot a single day until all his songs are ready.[6](https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/mohit-suri-says-music-is-screenplay-for-him-saiyaara-aashiqui-2-awarapan-bollywood-interview-101751194554093.html) His 20-year collaboration with composer Mithoon produced songs including "Woh Lamhe Woh Baatein" in *Aksar* (2005), "Aadat" in *Kalyug* (2005), "Phir Mohabbat Karne Chala Hai Tu" in *Murder 2* (2011), "Tum Hi Ho" in *Aashiqui 2* (2013), "Humdard" in *Ek Villain* (2014), "Main Phir Bhi Tumko Chahunga" in *Half Girlfriend* (2017), and "Dhun" in *Saiyaara*.[11](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/after-saiyaara-ahaan-panday-will-be-known-as-a-lover-director-mohit-suri-says-its-amazing-how-things-have-fallen-into-place-for-the-new-boy-10139267/)
**Casting.** Suri says he does not believe in auditioning actors, considering auditions unfair because the actor is not living the character with a full crew around them; he prefers spending time with potential cast members.[12](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/mohit-suri-on-casting-why-i-avoid-auditions-for-actors/amp_articleshow/122487473.cms) He has repeatedly launched newcomers, from Aditya Roy Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor in *Aashiqui 2* to Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda in *Saiyaara*, and says he tries to launch at least one artist, whether a musician, lyricist, or actor, in every film.[11](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/after-saiyaara-ahaan-panday-will-be-known-as-a-lover-director-mohit-suri-says-its-amazing-how-things-have-fallen-into-place-for-the-new-boy-10139267/) • [13](https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/entertainment/interviews/mohit-suri-says-mukesh-ji-has-threatening-me-for-20-years-that-industry-will-close-down/articleshow/121947663.cms)
## Reception and criticism
Suri's films have drawn recurring criticism over borrowed plots. Reviewers noted that *Ek Villain* drew generously from the 2010 Korean film *[I Saw the Devil](https://www.edgepedia.org/i-saw-the-devil)* and the 2004 Japanese film *Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World*,[14](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/ek-villain-shraddha-kapoor-sidharth-malhotra-riteish-deshmukh-movie-review-198482-2014-06-27) and a viral video comparing *Saiyaara* with the 2004 Korean film *A Moment to Remember* circulated widely after that film's release.[15](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/standpoint/story/saiyaara-7-questions-for-mohit-suri-box-office-success-criticism-originality-ahaan-panday-aneet-padda-2760697-2025-07-24) Suri has described his own trajectory in terms of hits and misses, saying careers are not made overnight and that he goes with his gut when making films.[16](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/exclusive-director-mohit-suri-on-malang-thriller-movies-and-ek-villain-2/articleshow/74116343.cms) Some films that underperformed on release, such as *Awarapan* (2007), later found a cult following and a sequel.[17](https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/amp/story/features/interviews/saiyaara-director-mohit-suri-on-why-his-films-are-always-tied-to-music)
## Current projects
After *Saiyaara*, Suri signed a multi-film contract with Yash Raj Films, under which he will also take the producer route and curate romantic films for the banner.[18](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/amp/news/bollywood/scoop-mohit-suri-and-yash-raj-film-partner-on-a-multi-film-production-deal/) His next directorial reunites Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda in a romantic drama, with filming set to begin in October 2026 in Mumbai and Goa and a 2027 release planned.[18](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/amp/news/bollywood/scoop-mohit-suri-and-yash-raj-film-partner-on-a-multi-film-production-deal/) • [19](https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/aneet-padda-and-ahaan-panday-to-begin-shooting-for-mohit-suri-film-in-october-12059746) In September 2026 he announced a gangster project with director [Ram Gopal Varma](https://www.edgepedia.org/ram-gopal-varma), described by Varma as a gangster love story set in the Mumbai underworld.[20](https://varietyindia.com/mohit-suri-gangster-film-ram-gopal-varma/) • [21](https://indianexpress.com/about/mohit-suri/)
## References
1. [मोहित सूरी जीवनी (Mohit Suri biography), Filmibeat Hindi](https://hindi.filmibeat.com/celebs/mohit-suri/biography.html)
2. [Mohit Suri: नए चेहरों से हिट देने वाला साइलेंट डायरेक्टर, ABP Live](https://www.abplive.com/entertainment/bollywood/who-is-mohit-suri-the-director-behind-big-hits-and-fresh-faces-2982351)
3. [Saiyaara director Mohit Suri's 12 romantic films, Dainik Jagran](https://www.jagran.com/entertainment/bollywood-saiyaara-director-mohit-suri-pure-jam-of-love-story-movies-saga-with-these-12-romantic-films-23991275.html)
4. [Mohit Suri on wrapping up 2025 with Saiyaara, Hindustan Times](https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity/cinema/mohit-suri-on-wrapping-up-2025-with-saiyaara-when-i-started-few-people-could-believe-a-romance-could-get-such-numbers-101767197880916.html)
5. [Mohit Suri: Height, Age, Wife, Biography, Filmibeat](https://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/mohit-suri.html)
6. [Mohit Suri says music is 'screenplay' for him, Hindustan Times](https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/mohit-suri-says-music-is-screenplay-for-him-saiyaara-aashiqui-2-awarapan-bollywood-interview-101751194554093.html)
7. [Mohit Suri, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/hi/name/nm1887138/)
8. [मोहित सूरी का जीवन परिचय, The Star Diary](https://thestardiary.in/mohit-suri-biography/)
9. [Mohit Suri Movies List, Bollywood Hungama](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrity/mohit-suri/filmography/)
10. [Saiyaara, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/saiyaara)
11. ['After Saiyaara, Ahaan Panday will be known as a lover', The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/after-saiyaara-ahaan-panday-will-be-known-as-a-lover-director-mohit-suri-says-its-amazing-how-things-have-fallen-into-place-for-the-new-boy-10139267/)
12. [Saiyaara director Mohit Suri: I don't believe in auditioning actors, Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/mohit-suri-on-casting-why-i-avoid-auditions-for-actors/amp_articleshow/122487473.cms)
13. [मोहित सूरी Exclusive, Navbharat Times](https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/entertainment/interviews/mohit-suri-says-mukesh-ji-has-threatening-me-for-20-years-that-industry-will-close-down/articleshow/121947663.cms)
14. [Movie review: Ek Villain is lacklustre, India Today](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/ek-villain-shraddha-kapoor-sidharth-malhotra-riteish-deshmukh-movie-review-198482-2014-06-27)
15. [7 questions we want to ask Saiyaara director Mohit Suri, India Today](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/standpoint/story/saiyaara-7-questions-for-mohit-suri-box-office-success-criticism-originality-ahaan-panday-aneet-padda-2760697-2025-07-24)
16. [Exclusive! Director Mohit Suri on 'Malang', thriller movies and 'Ek Villain 2', Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/exclusive-director-mohit-suri-on-malang-thriller-movies-and-ek-villain-2/articleshow/74116343.cms)
17. [Mohit Suri on 'Saiyaara' and His Music-First Filmmaking, The Hollywood Reporter India](https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/amp/story/features/interviews/saiyaara-director-mohit-suri-on-why-his-films-are-always-tied-to-music)
18. [SCOOP: Mohit Suri and Yash Raj Film partner on a multi-film production deal, Bollywood Hungama](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/amp/news/bollywood/scoop-mohit-suri-and-yash-raj-film-partner-on-a-multi-film-production-deal/)
19. [Aneet Padda And Ahaan Panday To Begin Shooting For Mohit Suri Film In October, NDTV](https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/aneet-padda-and-ahaan-panday-to-begin-shooting-for-mohit-suri-film-in-october-12059746)
20. [Mohit Suri Confirms Gangster Film With Ram Gopal Varma, Variety India](https://varietyindia.com/mohit-suri-gangster-film-ram-gopal-varma/)
21. [Latest News on Mohit Suri, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/about/mohit-suri/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Film people and crafts › Directors, producers, and screenwriters › Indian and South Asian film directors › Hindi cinema directors › Contemporary Hindi directors*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 18, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 18, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license