Abhishek Pathak – Bollywood director of ‘Drishyam 2’ fame

Abhishek Pathak is a Bollywood director, screenwriter and producer best known for directing Drishyam 2 (2022). He also directed Ujda Chaman in 2019. He has also produced films such as Pyaar Ka Punchnama series, Akaash Vani, Section 375, Bittoo Boss, Aatma and Khuda Haafiz series. He is married to actress Shivaleeka Oberoi Pathak, who worked in his production venture Khuda Haafiz. He is the managing director of ‘Panorama Studios.

Abhishek Pathak belongs to a filmy family

Abhishek was born to film producer Kumar Mangat Pathak in Mumbai on 1st July 1987. His sister Amita Pathak Sachar is a former model and actress. His brother-in-law is popular singer Raghav Sachar. Abhishek Pathak married actress Shivaleeka Oberoi in 2023.

He always wanted to become director. After completing filmmaking at the New York Film Academy, Abhishek returned to India and produced many films under his father’s production company Panorama Studios before entering direction. He also did an assistant producer and director role.

He has worked as an assistant director in a few films

Pathak started off his career as an Assistant Director with 2006 short film, ‘The Awakening,’ and later assisted a few directors. He was an executive producer of Omkara, and also worked as assistant producer for many projects like One Two Three, Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge, No Smoking etc.

His debut film as a director faced legal issues

In 2019, he made his directorial debut with the comedy Ujda Chaman, which addressed the subject of baldness in a comic way. The movie starring Sunny Singh and Maanvi Gagroo in lead roles was compared to Bala, released during the same time. Though it was an official remake of the 2017 Kannada dramedy film film Ondu Motteya Kathe, the similarities connecting baldness invited a lot of controversies and even a legal notice.

He directed the sequel of Drishyam following the demise of Nishikant Kamat

Pathak took over the role of director after the passing of Nishikant Kamat, who directed the first film, Drishyam. Like the prequel, Drishyam 2 was also a blockbuster. The movie series was an official remake of Mohanlal – Meena starrer Drishyam in Malayalam. Drishyam 2 Malayalam version had an OTT release, while Hindi received theatre release post pandemic. Also, the Malayalam version was not dubbed to Hindi. Both these factors benefited the film makers, and the audience went to theatre to get a big screen experience.

Made on a budget of around 70 crores, the movie collected 345 crores at box office and was one of the biggest hits of 2022. Ajay Devgn, Akshaye Khanna, Tabu and Shriya Saran played lead roles. Pathak also co-scripted the adapted script. In 2024, he produced Shaitaan starring Ajay Devgn which was a profitable venture. Raid 2 starring Ajay Devgn is his upcoming project.

Abhishek Pathak – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. He has tried writing too. He wrote a short film Boond, which got a National Film Award.

2. He co-scripted Drishyam 2 and directed the film, which is his best work up-to-date.

3. In 2009, he created his own advertising agency named ‘Brain On Rent’.

4. His hobbies include gym, scuba diving, and traveling.

5. He has two tattoos, one on his right arm and the other on his right hand.