Basic Details

Apoorva Lakhia is one of Indian cinema’s most dynamic and action-oriented directors, known for crafting gritty crime dramas and high-octane thrillers that have left a mark in Hindi cinema. With a career spanning over two decades, Apoorva Lakhia has steadily built a reputation for telling compelling, intense stories rooted in real events and larger-than-life characters.

Born and raised in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, Lakhia showed an early fascination with cinema. After attending The Lawrence School, Sanawar, he pursued filmmaking and even enrolled in a course at New York University, which he eventually left to gain practical experience in the film industry. His early decision to leave formal education and assistant Hollywood and Indian film sets became a defining moment on his path to success.

This biography explores Lakhia’s journey from assistant director to a filmmaker behind some of the most talked-about Apoorva Lakhia movies, highlighting milestones, personal stories, key works, and upcoming projects that continue to shape his legacy.

Physical Stats and More

Biography

Apoorva Lakhia’s story in cinema began far from the director’s chair. Early in his career, he worked as an assistant director on major international and Indian films, including Mira Nair’s The Perez Family (USA) and Ashutosh Gowariker’s Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001), where he gained hands-on experience on large film sets.

This blend of Hollywood exposure and Bollywood mentorship shaped his filmmaking sensibilities, giving him a unique edge in handling diverse narratives and action-driven stories. Transitioning from assistant roles, Lakhia made his directorial debut with Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost (2002), setting the stage for a career built on ambition and narrative bravery.

Relationships & More

Career

Apoorva Lakhia movies reflect a persistent fascination with intense, true-to-life conflict and larger-than-life character arcs. Below, we trace some of his most significant works and how they shaped his career.

Early Directorial Efforts & Hit Movies

• Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost (2003) – Lakhia’s directorial debut centers on the impact of television in rural life, introducing him as a filmmaker willing to explore social themes.
• Ek Ajnabee (2005) – A Hindi remake of Man on Fire starring Amitabh Bachchan and Arjun Rampal, showing Lakhia’s knack for adapting intense thillers.
• Shootout at Lokhandwala (2007) – Widely regarded as one of his most impactful hit movies, this crime thriller dramatizes the real 1991 Lokhandwala shootout and features an ensemble cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt and Vivek Oberoi.
• Mission Istaanbul (2008) – A high-octane action thriller set in Turkey and based on international espionage, adding global flavor to his repertoire.
• Zanjeer (2013) – A remake of the 1973 classic, this bilingual film starred Ram Charan and Priyanka Chopra, marking Lakhia’s bold attempt to reinterpret a Bollywood legend for modern audiences.
• Haseena Parkar (2017) – A biographical crime drama about Dawood Ibrahim’s sister, featuring Shraddha Kapoor, further solidified his reputation as a storyteller of powerful, real-world narratives.
  
  

Digital & Series Work

Lakhia also embraced digital storytelling with Crackdown (2020), an espionage thriller web series on Voot Select that marked his successful transition into OTT platforms and broadened his audience beyond theatrical cinema.

Upcoming Films

One of the most highly anticipated Apoorva Lakhia upcoming movie projects is Battle of Galwan (2026) — an action-war drama starring Salman Khan, based on the 2020 Galwan Valley clash and celebrating real-life Indian bravery. The film is set for release on 17 April 2026, continuing Lakhia’s tradition of high-stakes storytelling.

Other Details

Contributions Beyond Work

Beyond directing, Apoorva Lakhia contributes to Indian cinema’s evolution by blending real-life drama with commercial storytelling. His work often brings attention to pivotal events — from crime histories to national pride — through cinematic craftsmanship that resonates with both critics and audiences.

The Legacy of Apoorva Lakhia

Apoorva Lakhia stands as a filmmaker who consistently pushes boundaries in action-drama and crime cinema. From Shootout at Lokhandwala and Haseena Parkar to his upcoming venture Battle of Galwan, his Apoorva Lakhia movies list reflects a commitment to impactful storytelling and cinematic scale. As audiences await more from this seasoned director, Lakhia’s legacy continues to shape the landscape of Indian film.

Other Facts:

• Hollywood Beginnings: Lakhia worked as an assistant on Hollywood films such as The Ice Storm, A Perfect Murder, and Addicted to Love before shifting focus entirely to Indian cinema.
• Multi-Genre Skills: Apart from directing, he also wrote stories for films like Hide & Seek (2009) and has dabbled in production roles, showcasing his multi-faceted industry expertise.
• Iconic Collaborations: Lakhia has worked with Bollywood legends like Amitabh Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt, earning respect across generations of filmmakers and actors.